Diagnosis

[Reef_Ninjas]

Hey guys I’ve had this angel fish in QT for about a month now. Do you have any idea what this growth is that just started on her bottom fin?

She is eating but stays near the top of the tank a lot.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Hey guys I’ve had this angel fish in QT for about a month now. Do you have any idea what this growth is that just started on her bottom fin?

She is eating but stays near the top of the tank a lot.

Sorry - that pic isn’t really clear enough to tell much. Can you try from different angles as well as a video?

From the coloration, it could be a relatively rare fungal infection. Could this have begun as an injury,

Jay

 

[Reef_Ninjas]

I’ll try to get a better photo. I don’t think it started as an injury but it was in qt that got pretty dirty due to bloom. Also had some ammonia for a couple of days.

It started to develop a large scab on its side that looked just like this. I just dipped using safety stop and the large one was gone afterwards. The fin also looks better.

 

[Reef_Ninjas]

Sorry - that pic isn’t really clear enough to tell much. Can you try from different angles as well as a video?

From the coloration, it could be a relatively rare fungal infection. Could this have begun as an injury,

Jay

 

[Reef_Ninjas]

A little more background. I had the naso that was acting weird in the tank with this fish. I added copper for two weeks and at one point it hit 2.7 with copper power. Maybe this is part of the struggles as well?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

A little more background. I had the naso that was acting weird in the tank with this fish. I added copper for two weeks and at one point it hit 2.7 with copper power. Maybe this is part of the struggles as well?

2.7 is an overdose of copper, but if you got it down to below 2.5 relatively soon, that isn't the issue.

Tough to see in the video, but the fish seems to really be struggling, and maybe is breathing too fast?

Is it still feeding today?

For the lack of a positive diagnosis, I think you need to treat empirically, with a broad spectrum, gram negative antibiotic like Kanamycin or Neomycin.

Jay

 

[Reef_Ninjas]

2.7 is an overdose of copper, but if you got it down to below 2.5 relatively soon, that isn't the issue.

Tough to see in the video, but the fish seems to really be struggling, and maybe is breathing too fast?

Is it still feeding today?

For the lack of a positive diagnosis, I think you need to treat empirically, with a broad spectrum, gram negative antibiotic like Kanamycin or Neomycin.

Jay

I have kanaplex, metroplex, and nitro whatever it’s called from Amazon. Should I just do the trifecta? Yes it’s still eating.

 

[Weeb]

It's good that the fish is still eating. Help the fish by improving its immunity and ability to heal wounds by adding supplements for an ill fish to its diet as recommended in the Fish Health Trough Proper Nutrition post. Use especially Beta-1,3/1,6-D-Glucan.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I have kanaplex, metroplex, and nitro whatever it’s called from Amazon. Should I just do the trifecta? Yes it’s still eating.

Skip the metroplex. Nitrofurazone might work. Kanaplex is another option. I prefer not to mix antibiotics as there can be sensitivity issues that can be tough to work through.
Jay

 

[Reef_Ninjas]

Skip the metroplex. Nitrofurazone might work. Kanaplex is another option. I prefer not to mix antibiotics as there can be sensitivity issues that can be tough to work through.
Jay

Good to know. I’ll stop mixing them I’ve been doing kana and metro together on all my fish. I’ll keep you guys posted on how things go.

It's good that the fish is still eating. Help the fish by improving its immunity and ability to heal wounds by adding supplements for an ill fish to its diet as recommended in the Fish Health Trough Proper Nutrition post. Use especially Beta-1,3/1,6-D-Glucan.

Thank you for this. Don’t think I’ve seen any of these at my LFS. Where do you normally buy from?

 

[Weeb]

Where do you normally buy from?

The Beta Glucan is the same Beta Glucan humans use. You can find that at a health food store or pharmacy. If you can't find frozen fish foods, then you can order freeze-dried fish foods online. If you have $$ you can actually order frozen fish foods online too. The shipping cost is usually high on such orders.

 

[Reef_Ninjas]

Skip the metroplex. Nitrofurazone might work. Kanaplex is another option. I prefer not to mix antibiotics as there can be sensitivity issues that can be tough to work through.
Jay

Ok I got better photos as the kanaplex did nothing.

No idea what this is as I can’t find anything that looks like it really.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Ok I got better photos as the kanaplex did nothing.

No idea what this is as I can’t find anything that looks like it really.

I re read the thread - what about trying safety stop again? If it is that rare fungal infection I mentioned, formalin is a possible treatment for that, and safety stop has formalin in it I think.
Jay

 

[Reef_Ninjas]

I re read the thread - what about trying safety stop again? If it is that rare fungal infection I mentioned, formalin is a possible treatment for that, and safety stop has formalin in it I think.
Jay

Yeah when I did safety stop last time the thing on its side fell off. I can order formalin from Amazon today and start dipping every two days you think?

 

[Reef_Ninjas]

I re read the thread - what about trying safety stop again? If it is that rare fungal infection I mentioned, formalin is a possible treatment for that, and safety stop has formalin in it I think.
Jay

Can you also point me in the right direction on how to sterilize my QT while she is in the bath?

 

[Weeb]

I can order formalin from Amazon today and start dipping every two days you think?

Formalin is harsh stuff. Technically a carcinogen. Ruby Reef Rally Pro contains formalin and acriflavine (another useful chemical vs. fish diseases). I use it like this:

Take fish from DT. Dip at 2x concentration, for 90 minutes. Best to use new & aged saltwater. Be sure to: (a) Temperature control the bath water by using a heater. (b) Provide plenty of oxygen by using an air pump + air stone. (c) Ensure salinity, pH and temperature of the dip water matches the tank the fish is coming from (or use water the fish is currently in and maintain temperature). Then move fish into a clean/new quarantine tank - same salinity, pH and temp as was the dip water, for observation. QT should not be where this fish or any fish with Brook came from unless QT is sterilized.

I sterilize my tanks by:
Washing with a bleach solution (diluted 1/4 cup to a gallon);
Rinsing several times with tap water; and
Final rinsing with RODI water.

You'll need a new filter and new equipment that came in contact with the previous QT water. I think it's easier to have a second, new tank to use, though.

 

[Reef_Ninjas]

Formalin is harsh stuff. Technically a carcinogen. Ruby Reef Rally Pro contains formalin and acriflavine (another useful chemical vs. fish diseases). I use it like this:

Take fish from DT. Dip at 2x concentration, for 90 minutes. Best to use new & aged saltwater. Be sure to: (a) Temperature control the bath water by using a heater. (b) Provide plenty of oxygen by using an air pump + air stone. (c) Ensure salinity, pH and temperature of the dip water matches the tank the fish is coming from (or use water the fish is currently in and maintain temperature). Then move fish into a clean/new quarantine tank - same salinity, pH and temp as was the dip water, for observation. QT should not be where this fish or any fish with Brook came from unless QT is sterilized.

I sterilize my tanks by:
Washing with a bleach solution (diluted 1/4 cup to a gallon);
Rinsing several times with tap water; and
Final rinsing with RODI water.

You'll need a new filter and new equipment that came in contact with the previous QT water. I think it's easier to have a second, new tank to use, though.

I have ruby reef on hand and can do that today. So if I’m using 1 gallon of water. How much ruby reef would you use? Also how frequently would you do this

So there is no way for me to clean the heater, HOB filter, airdromes, wave maker? I’d have to replace all these items?? Also, do you let it air dry before using again? Can I do all of this while doing the ruby reef dip?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Formalin is harsh stuff. Technically a carcinogen. Ruby Reef Rally Pro contains formalin and acriflavine (another useful chemical vs. fish diseases). I use it like this:

Take fish from DT. Dip at 2x concentration, for 90 minutes. Best to use new & aged saltwater. Be sure to: (a) Temperature control the bath water by using a heater. (b) Provide plenty of oxygen by using an air pump + air stone. (c) Ensure salinity, pH and temperature of the dip water matches the tank the fish is coming from (or use water the fish is currently in and maintain temperature). Then move fish into a clean/new quarantine tank - same salinity, pH and temp as was the dip water, for observation. QT should not be where this fish or any fish with Brook came from unless QT is sterilized.

I sterilize my tanks by:
Washing with a bleach solution (diluted 1/4 cup to a gallon);
Rinsing several times with tap water; and
Final rinsing with RODI water.

You'll need a new filter and new equipment that came in contact with the previous QT water. I think it's easier to have a second, new tank to use, though.

My understanding is that Rally Pro now has very little formalin in it. I heard they changed their formulation so that they can sell the product in the EU.

Jay

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Yeah when I did safety stop last time the thing on its side fell off. I can order formalin from Amazon today and start dipping every two days you think?

I would just use safety stop again. Regular formalin is expensive and difficult to work with. There are issues with getting the right product, and then, what do you do with the leftovers?

I just assumed you still had some safety stop.....

If you go with the formalin, the dose is 75 ppm in a well aerated bucket for 45 minutes, once every other day for three treatments. To calculate the dose, add 0.3 ml of formalin to one gallon of water. Be safe though!

Jay

 

[Reef_Ninjas]

I would just use safety stop again. Regular formalin is expensive and difficult to work with. There are issues with getting the right product, and then, what do you do with the leftovers?

I just assumed you still had some safety stop.....

If you go with the formalin, the dose is 75 ppm in a well aerated bucket for 45 minutes, once every other day for three treatments. To calculate the dose, add 0.3 ml of formalin to one gallon of water. Be safe though!

Jay

I do still have safety stop. I’ll use that. I’ll do both sides of the safety stop every two days?