Dry looking skin, then fish die

[Screwgunner]

I am so sorry for your loss. It sucks when there is nothing you can do.

 

[Vickilouise85]

I am so sorry for your loss. It sucks when there is nothing you can do.

It’s a hard lesson. Hoping I don’t lose him or others in the meantime. Thank you

 

[Vickilouise85]

Update: Engineer goby still not looking great. Other fish are not showing signs. I did FW dip and I did see some stuff floating but it kinda just looks like dead skin to me kind his current peeling looking skin. He’s still eating. I set up a temporary ten gallon for a Qt and meds are on the way. Currently cycling it with a live rock. Hoping goby makes it in time to at least try to really medicate. He did well in FW dip it made me super anxious but he was ok.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Update: Engineer goby still not looking great. Other fish are not showing signs. I did FW dip and I did see some stuff floating but it kinda just looks like dead skin to me kind his current peeling looking skin. He’s still eating. I set up a temporary ten gallon for a Qt and meds are on the way. Currently cycling it with a live rock. Hoping goby makes it in time to at least try to really medicate. He did well in FW dip it made me super anxious but he was ok.

Still eating is a really good sign - most fish, when feeling even a little off, stop feeding.

Jay

 

[Spare time]

If your alkalinity is very high it will burn your fish's skin. To low of alkalinity will raise acid and lower ph

How would it burn them? That would have to be an insane pH spike that would be unheard of. They also wouldn't have that insane of a pH unless they poured an absolute insane amount of some very very high pH additive. Too low of an alkalinity doesn't increase "acid."

 

[Vickilouise85]

Still eating is a really good sign - most fish, when feeling even a little off, stop feeding.

Jay

Thank you so much. I’m really in knots over it. Just hoping he pulls through.

 

[LeftyReefer]

Any updates?
Seeing any improvement in the fish?

 

[Vickilouise85]

Any updates?
Seeing any improvement in the fish?

I’ve got both of my engineer gobies in a QT tank that I’ve medicated based on recommendations above. The other engineer goby had started to look a little off so I put him in with his buddy. They both look fairly decent the really rough looking guy does seem to be improving! I’m hopeful.

 

[Vickilouise85]

Yesterday they looked amazing no peeling skin really at all. I’m so hopeful now. I was thinking one more week in QT? Any thoughts on that?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Yesterday they looked amazing no peeling skin really at all. I’m so hopeful now. I was thinking one more week in QT? Any thoughts on that?

Typically, I hold any fish that has had a disease for a minimum of two weeks after the symptoms go away, with no medications before moving them back to a DT, just to ensure they don't relapse. If you think the DT has an infective agent (like the flukes we discussed) you should wait at least 30 days for flukes, and 45 days if it was ich. The only time I would consider moving fish out sooner is if the QT is unstable, so that holding them there is risky for the fish.

Jay

 

[LeftyReefer]

Yesterday they looked amazing no peeling skin really at all. I’m so hopeful now. I was thinking one more week in QT? Any thoughts on that?

Personally, I would not.
I would let your DT tank go fallow for the 45+ days.

You've had 3 fish die in less than a month for unknown reasons.
I would QT all fish in copper and prazi for 30+ days while letting the main tank remain fallow for 45+ days.

 

[Vickilouise85]

Typically, I hold any fish that has had a disease for a minimum of two weeks after the symptoms go away, with no medications before moving them back to a DT, just to ensure they don't relapse. If you think the DT has an infective agent (like the flukes we discussed) you should wait at least 30 days for flukes, and 45 days if it was ich. The only time I would consider moving fish out sooner is if the QT is unstable, so that holding them there is risky for the fish.

Jay

Okay! Thank you so much!!!

 

[Vickilouise85]

So I really never found out exactly what it was but I did manage to save my engineer with medication in the QT tank. No other problems with fish since then. I wanted to pop on and tell y’all that the help was so appreciated and the advice was definitely taken.