Gem Tang Breathing Fast, Otherwise Not Moving

[rushbattle]

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.

That description fits with this fish's progression. Died overnight. Strange it was so fast, it was having a big old time in his own QT eating like a pig, and then it was incapacitated, dead.

 

[Humblefish]

That description fits with this fish's progression. Died overnight. Strange it was so fast, it was having a big old time in his own QT eating like a pig, and then it was incapacitated, dead.

Unfortunately, that also lines up with cyanide poisoning. If you cut the fish open and the internal organs are all "mushy" or dark colored, odds are either cyanide or heavy ammonia poisoning is to blame. Pay extra special attention to the condition of the kidneys/liver.

 

[NowGlazeIT]

Cancer/cyanide is my vote. The fish looks very healthy to be sitting on it’s side like that. So truly sorry for your loss.

 

[4FordFamily]

Ammonia is my primary culprit (aside from the virus possibility aforementioned). I’m assuming you’re monitoring with a ammonia alert badge though?

Without treatment it is hard to say. Internal infections, uronema (internally), velvet (can stay in the gills and kill before you see it on the body), are other possibilities. You don’t see many fish recover after this point, unfortunately. I don’t think I’d add copper now, I’d just keep water quality high and stable if you don’t see evidence of other ailments and hope for the best.

 

[LiamPM]

Ammonia is my primary culprit (aside from the virus possibility aforementioned). I’m assuming you’re monitoring with a ammonia alert badge though?

Without treatment it is hard to say. Internal infections, uronema (internally), velvet (can stay in the gills and kill before you see it on the body), are other possibilities. You don’t see many fish recover after this point, unfortunately. I don’t think I’d add copper now, I’d just keep water quality high and stable if you don’t see evidence of other ailments and hope for the best.

OP stated using an ammonia badge and API test and that the Gem died overnight.

Sorry for your loss. I also suspect cyanide, your description has all the hints of it and as above, it looks very healthy on the outside barring the laying on its side.

 

[4FordFamily]

OP stated using an ammonia badge and API test and that the Gem died overnight.

Sorry for your loss. I also suspect cyanide, your description has all the hints of it and as above, it looks very healthy on the outside barring the laying on its side.

Whoops, good call. Sorry, op.

 

[Big G]

Sorry for your loss

 

[awwinterfall]

How do you tell if a fish has this virus? I'm assuming its in the distributor's facility , so there is no 100% way of avoiding this.

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



Skin scrape under a microscope:

 

[awwinterfall]

No bumps or spots?

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.

 

[Big G]

No bumps or spots?

Probably your best defense to avoid fish with this virus would be to purchase from a reliable vendor that holds fish for an extended period of time vs. those that just transfer and re-ship.