Elongate dottyback rapid breathing

Tanofthereef · Dec 9, 2021

My dottyback was swimming normally and eating 2 days ago. Yesterday noticed it was breathing rapidly and hiding in the corner of the tank.

I cought it and put in QT to observe as it looked in rough shape. It's gills look puffy and red, stomach looks empty and skinny and it's mouth is wide open and breathing heavily.

The only thing I could find to be a possibility was parasites / infection / or subject of aggression.

Params in tank are normal. Other fish are normal and have been before and after the dottyback was isolated.

I decided to dose prazipro as I can't find any definitive solution or even what is affecting it.

Any help would be much appreciated it's been 24h and I don't think he will last much longer.

The water looks dirty but its just rock dust I didn't quite wipe out.

Jay Hemdal · Dec 10, 2021

Tanofthereef said:
My dottyback was swimming normally and eating 2 days ago. Yesterday noticed it was breathing rapidly and hiding in the corner of the tank.

I cought it and put in QT to observe as it looked in rough shape. It's gills look puffy and red, stomach looks empty and skinny and it's mouth is wide open and breathing heavily.

The only thing I could find to be a possibility was parasites / infection / or subject of aggression.

Params in tank are normal. Other fish are normal and have been before and after the dottyback was isolated.

I decided to dose prazipro as I can't find any definitive solution or even what is affecting it.

Any help would be much appreciated it's been 24h and I don't think he will last much longer.

The water looks dirty but its just rock dust I didn't quite wipe out.

It does seem to have a severe gill disease. Since the other fish are not affected, I think you can rule out protozoans such as velvet. That leaves gill flukes and/or bacteria. The gill flukes would be the next most common cause of this, so prazipro would be a good thing to try. However, what can happen is the gill flukes damage the gills and then bacteria (the red coloration) invades the tissue as a secondary infection.

Jay

Tanofthereef · Dec 10, 2021

Considering its condition now, should I attempt an antibiotic treatment or finish the prazi pro then swap? I've read it's not a good idea to dose both at the same time.

I decided to do a freshwater dip for 5 mins which it didnt change rate of breathing during and seemed to go through it just fine, it's been in prazi pro for almost 48H and has not gotten better or worse, still breathing the same and lethargic. Also hasn't ate since QT or probably a day before that at this point.

Jay Hemdal · Dec 10, 2021

Tanofthereef said:
Considering its condition now, should I attempt an antibiotic treatment or finish the prazi pro then swap? I've read it's not a good idea to dose both at the same time.

I decided to do a freshwater dip for 5 mins which it didnt change rate of breathing during and seemed to go through it just fine, it's been in prazi pro for almost 48H and has not gotten better or worse, still breathing the same and lethargic. Also hasn't ate since QT or probably a day before that at this point.

O.K., with the prazipro and the FW dip, flukes will have at least have been held at bay. I would go the antibiotic route now. However, understand that while it is unlikely that this is a protozoan disease, it is still possible. Additionally, viral diseases can cause gill damage (can't do anything for them except supportive care).

Jay

Tanofthereef · Dec 11, 2021

He's a tough fish, still heavy breathing moves a few inches every hour or so. I don't know if there's much more I can do at this point but wait. Medicating with prazi and antibiotics. It looks like his tail is starting to rot/wither and he hasn't ate in days.

I'm hopeful but its not looking good.

Midrats · Dec 11, 2021

They are such cool little fish. I had one in my reef for years. He wasn't out much but when he did appear his red/pink ombre color and yellow-trimmed tail spot was a treat to see. I can't really help you with regards to his treatment, but it looks like you are providing a heroic effort for the little guy, good luck to him!