Dispar Anthias - bacterial infection

hfa3501 · Aug 7, 2017

Hi, I don't mean to hijack the conversation, but I need some help as well. I am new to R2R and hoping someone can help ID what's wrong with my Dispar Anthias. Bought a trio about 3wks ago, all doing great; then about 3 days ago I notice one had some ragged edges on her tail and stopped eating. Her tail has continued to thin out, and I noticed a big white patch on her forehead. I went to my LFS and they said it looks like a secondary bacterial infection and recommended treating with MetroPlex. When I got home, I notice one of the others starting to show similar signs. Both have been treated and appear to be doing a little better today. I have attached 2 pics to show the thinning tail in one, and the white head patch in the other. My question is this....am I treating properly for whatever this is, and do I need to be concerned about others in the tank? I LOVE these fish and they were doing so well for several weeks.

hfa3501 · Aug 7, 2017

My water params seem to be ok....
SG 1.025
Alk 3.2
Nitrate 0
Phos 0
PH 8.1
Calcium 460
Temp 79.2

Humblefish · Aug 7, 2017

@hfa3501 Moved your posts into their own thread

Humblefish · Aug 7, 2017

In order to treat for this, you'll need to also use Kanaplex and/or Furan-2 in conjunction with the Metroplex your LFS sold you.

I also recommend treating in a bare bottom, rockless QT: https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/how-to-quarantine.232/

hfa3501 · Aug 7, 2017

Thank you for your advice! What do they have? Does this result in death, or will the treatments give them a good chance....also, do I need to treat the other tank inhabitants? I also have a percula clown and a 6 line wrasse

Humblefish · Aug 7, 2017

hfa3501 said:
Thank you for your advice! What do they have? Does this result in death, or will the treatments give them a good chance....also, do I need to treat the other tank inhabitants? I also have a percula clown and a 6 line wrasse

It's a bacterial infection, but impossible to know specifics without a skin scrape/scope ID. However, if it looks like it's spreading to another anthias then that highly suggests the infection is at least species transmissible. So, I would QT & treat all the anthias; but just keep a close eye on all your other fish for now. If you have a UV sterilizer or diatom filter, now would be a good time to run it on the DT.

hfa3501 · Aug 7, 2017

Will do. Thank you so much for your input!

hfa3501 · Aug 9, 2017

So, I have an update on my poor Anthias. I have treated them twice with Hydroplex as a dip. My LFS do not carry any of the recommended meds from prior threads. The white spots are all gone, and the second fish that was showing early signs is eating well and swimming about and the tail no longer looks like it is thinning out or withering away like the first fish. The first fish has lost the white spot all over his head and the small spots on his body; but his tail is nearly gone - it has all withered away in a matter of days. He is still alive, but not eating - I think it's really hard for him to swim. Any other suggestions are welcome....and is it possible for him to even recover at this point?

aykwm · Aug 9, 2017

hfa3501 said:
So, I have an update on my poor Anthias. I have treated them twice with Hydroplex as a dip. My LFS do not carry any of the recommended meds from prior threads. The white spots are all gone, and the second fish that was showing early signs is eating well and swimming about and the tail no longer looks like it is thinning out or withering away like the first fish. The first fish has lost the white spot all over his head and the small spots on his body; but his tail is nearly gone - it has all withered away in a matter of days. He is still alive, but not eating - I think it's really hard for him to swim. Any other suggestions are welcome....and is it possible for him to even recover at this point?

Glad they are doing well and everything cleared, for the anthias that lost its tail, its common for bacterial infection to cause fin rot, dont worry it should grow back within few weeks. For now i recommend adding vitamins in their food to improve their immune system and improve their overall health as they heal up, you can also add garlic or entice which should enhance the apetite of the fish and make them eat again in most cases. You can also try different types of food, i noticed that some anthias can be really picky with food.
Best of luck

hfa3501 · Aug 10, 2017

I am alternating foods with frozen mysis, baby brine, plankton mix, and pellets. I will try the some of the food enhancements to see if I can get him to eat. Thank you!

hfa3501 · Aug 12, 2017

Sorry to report, I lost the first Anthias yesterday. The second one is still hiding a lot of the time; however; he is eating well and comes out periodically to check out what's going on in the tank. The deterioration of his tail seems to have slowed down/stopped. I haven't noticed any more of is fins withering away, and he is still somewhat active. The other one was sedentary under a piece if live rock almost the whole time this many days after being identified as sick. I will keep treating and see how he does. Hopeful that he will recover - he is doing better than the other one was at this stage. I will treat for a few more days and post another update. Thank you for everyone's input!