Fish Disease ID Help!

[MMDEMAY]

Hi all!

Hoping for a little help with what could be going on with my tank. I recently lost three fish to what seemed to be ich - royal gramma, damsel & sleeper goby. I also have a clown and a lawnmower blenny that appeared normal when they got sick. Started with these three with some noticeable white spots. I started a QT tank and treated with Nox Ich, but unfortunately none of them made it - RG/Damsel First and a few days later the goby.

Then the following week I noticed some obvious irritation with my clown and blenny. The clown does something that seemes like a twitch. It’s not constant but does happen several times daily. The blenny started hanging in the corner and occasionally biting at his tail fin. But agin nothing noticeable on them.

So in a new QT tank they went with Nox Ich but I’m not certain that’s what it is because they’ve been treated for the past three days with no real difference in the behaviors.

I cannot see anything on either of them and up until the QT the clown was eating, but now is not. Blenny is still showing interest thankfully but I want to save both of these little guys. I’m so afraid to do a FW dip because of the stress it’ll cause. I do have Prazipro on hand but have not used it.

Any tips or suggestions would be wonderful.

—
No ammonia
No nitrite
Nitrates are around 10mg/l
(which is consistent for my tank)
PH 7.8
Salinity- 1.023

 

[Skep18]

I'm unfamiliar with it, is NOX ICH a copper medication?

 

[MMDEMAY]

I'm unfamiliar with it, is NOX ICH a copper medication?

Hi skep! Thanks for the quick reply!

Here’s a link to Nox Ich which came recommend at a local pet supply store.

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailym...5814-9a86-48b2-8f2b-e985b0948ca1&type=display

Seems to be sodium Chloride...0.50%
Malachite Green...0.50%

 

[MMDEMAY]

With all the information out there it’s hard to know what really to treat with and what’s going to be the most effective with out causing harm to the fish. I’ve read anywhere from copper to hyposalinity. Just hard to make an educated guess when you’re stumped.

 

[Jurgen Frenz]

Do a freshwater dip it’s not bad at all. Do it for 5 minutes and just match temp. I have never really worried about matching ph for a freshwater dip. It should only be done for 5 minutes. Twitching is usually a symptom of flukes and a freshwater dip can help confirm that. Or just flat out use Praxi that should kill any flukes. Two doses 3 to 5 days a part

 

[MMDEMAY]

Do a freshwater dip it’s not bad at all. Do it for 5 minutes and just match temp. I have never really worried about matching ph for a freshwater dip. It should only be done for 5 minutes. Twitching is usually a symptom of flukes and a freshwater dip can help confirm that. Or just flat out use Praxi that should kill any flukes. Two doses 3 to 5 days a part

Thanks for the advice! I really appreciate it!

I did a quick water change this morning before work and reduced salinity to 1.018. I also dosed Prazipro. If things aren’t turning around by the time I get home/tomorrow morning I’ll do the FW dip. I figure if it’s in the gills dosing Prazi in the water will help for now, right?

 

[EmdeReef]

Nox itch is not proven to treat ich. Moreover given the rapid demise of the fish I would say you are more likely to have velvet. Pics would help.

For treatment info:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/velvet-amyloodinium-ocellatum.217570/

 

[Jurgen Frenz]

Yes the prazi should do the trick but only for flukes not ich.

 

[kiMxD]

I'd do a Cupramine quarantine.

 

[Jurgen Frenz]

Cupramine doesn’t hurt either.

 

[MMDEMAY]

Thanks everyone!

 

[MMDEMAY]

Unfortunately, I lost the blenny but the clown still remains. When I got home she seemed to be breathing rapidly. I did a FW dip on her. She took it like a champ, but still seems to be a bit stressed once back in the QT tank. One small white thing did come off of her. Here are some photos post FW dip for what it’s worth. Look like anything particular? I’m starting to feel like we might be fighting a losing battle I figure we might as well keep trying if it’s not too stressful. You think it’s worth trying cupramine?

 

[Maritimer]

The small white thing that came off in the freshwater dip might be a fluke - but one fluke isn't going to put her in that condition.

We have seen velvet (a rapid killer) come through without showing obvious symptoms, and have also seen bacterial infections do the same.

I don't see anything obvious in the photos of the clown, but @HotRocks or @Humblefish might be able to suss out things less obvious than what I can perceive.

~Bruce

 

[HotRocks]

Few things for the OP:

Upon researching nox ich, it will not erradicate any marine parasites based on the contents.

I agree with @Maritimer, that was likely a fluke that dislodged during the FW dip. You will need to treat with praziquantel (two doses 5-7 days apart). In the photos I see some redness around the gills. How are you monitoring/testing ammonia?

One of the pics the fish looks like it may possibly have Brook. That was only visible upon zooming in. Does the fish have any spots that look white or slimy. Skin sloughing off? It may be just be a product of zooming in on the photo.

 

[MMDEMAY]

Few things for the OP:

Upon researching nox ich, it will not erradicate any marine parasites based on the contents.

I agree with @Maritimer, that was likely a fluke that dislodged during the FW dip. You will need to treat with praziquantel (two doses 5-7 days apart). In the photos I see some redness around the gills. How are you monitoring/testing ammonia?

One of the pics the fish looks like it may possibly have Brook. That was only visible upon zooming in. Does the fish have any spots that look white or slimy. Skin sloughing off? It may be just be a product of zooming in on the photo.

I have an API test kit for ammonia. Just retested for the purpose of this thread and am getting 0ppm. To control any ammonia I’ve done water change, siphon food or particles from the bottom. Ive also got prime at home for chemical assistance if needed.

When looking at her, there’s nothing that appears on her body - no dark or white spots, no slime, no sloughing. It’s unfortunately not presenting itself or very specific whatever it is. At this point I’m concerned because she doesn’t want to eat and her breathing seems more labored. Even after dose of Prazipro this am and FW dip this evening.

Considering this all started with some irratic swimming and some twitching here and there, that’s really all I’ve got to go off of. That and the white possible fluke I found today in the bath. I’ve not seen her twitch today or swim like crazy but I assume that’s because she’s lethargic. Could all this be senseless? Considering she’s the last fish left, is it worth trying her back in her normal display tank?

I’m new to reefing and saltwater as of last year. Just when you think you got it goes south. all that to say regardless, the support is very appreciated! Thank you everyone!

 

[MMDEMAY]

Also, it sure if it was worth mentioning but this was post FW bath. Not sure if The redness noted could be some of her color coming back. No idea, but just a thought?