Gem Tang Breathing Fast, Otherwise Not Moving

[rushbattle]

Seemed just fine earlier today. Has been in quarantine without medication for over a month.

copper?

 

[NinnJinn]

By chance do you know what your ammonia level is? And were you meaning it's in Copper or no copper? If it is in Copper what's the copper level?

 

[Peach02]

By chance do you know what your ammonia level is? And were you meaning it's in Copper or no copper? If it is in Copper what's the copper level?

+1

 

[awwinterfall]

I had a gem tang die in a similar fashion. I would like to know the cause/treatment too. Copper didn't work

 

[rushbattle]

Ammonia tests 0ppm via API, and indicates 0 on seachem tab thing.

The fish has not been in copper at all since it was received 1/11/20.

The only parameter that's off from normal is 22ppt salinity, I was going to run hypo but decided against it and am raising salinity very slowly.

My concern is velvet, since it's all I can think of, but there are zero indications externally.

 

[rushbattle]

I had a gem tang die in a similar fashion. I would like to know the cause/treatment too. Copper didn't work

Cyanide perhaps?

 

[AZMSGT]

First thing I would do is Put an airstone in that tank and pump it full of oxygen.

 

[awwinterfall]

Gem tangs are super sensitive to salinity changes. I once, almost killed one while doing water change, because I didn't adjust the salinity in each bucket.

I would not do hypo. Maybe its because they are deeper water fish.

 

[awwinterfall]

Maybe thats why we are getting an influx of cheaper gem tangs

 

[rushbattle]

Gem tangs are super sensitive to salinity changes. I once, almost killed one while doing water change, because I didn't adjust the salinity in each bucket.

I would not do hypo. Maybe its because they are deeper water fish.

That's terrifying, my salinity has been 22ppt for a week now.

 

[rushbattle]

This fish has eaten six times pellets, plus frozen, plus half a sheet of nori every day.

 

[Humblefish]

Best to avoid fish collected off Madagascar. Many carry a virulent virus which often results in death once placed in an aquarium.

 

[Peach02]

Best to avoid fish collected off Madagascar. Many carry a virulent virus which often results in death once placed in an aquarium.

any advice on treating it or a name for it?

 

[ca1ore]

Best to avoid fish collected off Madagascar. Many carry a virulent virus which often results in death once placed in an aquarium.

That’s interesting, I had not heard that. Madagascar collecting is the main reason prices on gems have come way down. Not helpful if they’re sick though.

 

[Humblefish]

any advice on treating it or a name for it?

No proven treatments for viruses in fish. This is experimental: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/possible-cure-for-viruses-like-lympho.647378/

 

[Peach02]

No proven treatments for viruses in fish. This is experimental: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/possible-cure-for-viruses-like-lympho.647378/

okay thank you, do you know if there is a way to tell if a fish is carrying it but not showing symptoms?

 

[Humblefish]

okay thank you, do you know if there is a way to tell if a fish is carrying it but not showing symptoms?

Viruses live inside their body, and visible physical symptoms typically only show when the animal is stressed/immune system is lowered. Lymphocystis is the most common virus fish carry, and white nodules form on the fins, spines and sometimes body. The nodules are actually clustered groups of greatly enlarged, infected cells known as fibroblasts. Eventually the cells will burst and shed virus into the environment (infecting more fish).

This virus is different and far more virulent. When symptoms show, you will see white spots (similar to Ich/velvet) on the fish, but the difference is they will dangle off and get blown by the flow. Let me see if a video I have of a Tiger Angel with the virus will attach:

 

[Humblefish]

Had to UL to YouTube (not sure how quality will be):



Skin scrape under a microscope:

 

[Big G]

This just does not get any easier.
The video looks similar to Lympho that's presenting fibrous in texture.
What is the disease progression of this virus?

 

[Humblefish]

This just does not get any easier.
The video looks similar to Lympho that's presenting fibrous in texture.
What is the disease progression of this virus?

Rapid breathing, lethargy and then death. Not all specimens with the virus succumb. Some act perfectly normal, and symptoms eventually clear (like Lympho). Probably depends upon the integrity of their immune system.

I've also scraped a (gram-positive) bacterial disease which looks very similar. Fish usually recovers from that without any treatment.