Green chromis sore on side

[jk_s124]

We have had a green chromis for 1 1/2 years in our biocube 29. Last few weeks we hanoticed some unusual behavior. Hiding more frequently, erratic swimming, and staying in the bottom front right corner. She is still eating well, but today I noticed what looks like the beginning of a sore on her left flank. A few corals were added a few months ago from a friends tank who I trust had or has no current disease problems. I double checked that’s still the case today. No other live stock added for over one year. Wasn’t able to get the best pictures because the chromis was very skittish.

I have no experience diagnosing any fish diseases. From my searches online it looks like it could uronema. Can this disease lay dormant or be symptom free for long periods of time? Could it be something else? Any information and or advice would be most welcome.

 

[KJ]

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/uronema-marinum.247940/

 

[jk_s124]

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/uronema-marinum.247940/

Thanks!

 

[Mjrenz]

We have had a green chromis for 1 1/2 years in our biocube 29. Last few weeks we hanoticed some unusual behavior. Hiding more frequently, erratic swimming, and staying in the bottom front right corner. She is still eating well, but today I noticed what looks like the beginning of a sore on her left flank. A few corals were added a few months ago from a friends tank who I trust had or has no current disease problems. I double checked that’s still the case today. No other live stock added for over one year. Wasn’t able to get the best pictures because the chromis was very skittish.

I have no experience diagnosing any fish diseases. From my searches online it looks like it could uronema. Can this disease lay dormant or be symptom free for long periods of time? Could it be something else? Any information and or advice would be most welcome.

Is a little hard to tell from the pics but it could definitely be uronema. The fish will need to be moved to a quarantine tank for treatment
Metronidazole would be the best treatment
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/metronidazole.298762/

 

[Big G]

Time is not your friend with uronema. Swift action is required to try to save your fish. Once you see the red sores on Chromis the prognosis is not good.

 

[ngoodermuth]

Uronema, and it could very well have been dormant in your friend’s system. He might not even realize it. Does the friend have anthias or chromis himself?

 

[Mjrenz]

Do any coral dips work to remove uronema from exposed corals?

@ngoodermuth, I saw that @jk_s124 posted this in the uronema thread and figured it would be best to post it here so it's seen. I'm curious too, is there any way to ensure that uronema isn't brought in as a hitchhiker?

 

[ngoodermuth]

@ngoodermuth, I saw that @jk_s124 posted this in the uronema thread and figured it would be best to post it here so it's seen. I'm curious too, is there any way to ensure that uronema isn't brought in as a hitchhiker?

I don’t think there is any way to be completely sure since there is no fallow period, but I do think dips are a good precaution. I dip all of my incoming corals for coral pests and hitchhikers regardless of whose tank they come from, but I’m also slightly paranoid.

As far as I’m aware, there hasn’t been testing for uronema specifically but I’ve seen humble mention that he believes most dips would kill free-swimming parasites, the encysted ones are the ones we need to QT against.

 

[Big G]

I’ve seen humble mention that he believes most dips would kill free-swimming parasites

Bayer will kill almost any parasite as long as it has a nervous system.

 

[jk_s124]

No he does not currently have anthias or chromis. Clowns and an azure damsel. Could my chromis have been infected the entire time with out showing symptoms until now?

 

[jk_s124]

So is there any known way to save coral colonies from an infected display? From everything I read I can’t puzzle together a solution that would. It is what it is, but if there is a way that would be great.

 

[jk_s124]

Thanks again for all the replies and advice!

 

[Big G]

So is there any known way to save coral colonies from an infected display?

I have heard of some treating corals with a Freshwater dip for 2-3 minutes, then rinse with fresh QT tank water, then place into a fresh QT. If memory serves me they did several dips and then placed the corals into fresh tanks each time. But some corals seemed unaffected by the FW dip and others reacted poorly.
Another possibility it to treat the display tank with Ruby Reef Rally. It's supposed to be "reef safe" with the exception of worms (Feather Dusters, bristleworms) that can die off and create a problem. Especially if you have a large number of bristleworms in your sand.

 

[jk_s124]

I have heard of some treating corals with a Freshwater dip for 2-3 minutes, then rinse with fresh QT tank water, then place into a fresh QT. If memory serves me they did several dips and then placed the corals into fresh tanks each time. But some corals seemed unaffected by the FW dip and others reacted poorly.
Another possibility it to treat the display tank with Ruby Reef Rally. It's supposed to be "reef safe" with the exception of worms (Feather Dusters, bristleworms) that can die off and create a problem. Especially if you have a large number of bristleworms in your sand.

Would red and peppermint shrimp be unaffected by the Ruby Reef Rally? And just thinking out loud here, but if I were to treat the display, would there be any way of knowing if my display was in fact free of uronema?

 

[ngoodermuth]

So is there any known way to save coral colonies from an infected display? From everything I read I can’t puzzle together a solution that would. It is what it is, but if there is a way that would be great.

Personally, if it were me... I’d dip all corals and move to a clean fishless QT. Rinse CUC/other inverts really well in tubs of tank water, then move them to the coral QT.

Bleach rock, sand, and main tank/equipment using Humble’s advice here:

To sterilize a DT:

Dose 100ppm chlorine as per this guide: https://dec.vermont.gov/sites/dec/files/dwgwp/DW/chlorinedosageemergencydisinfection.pdf

Circulate well throughout the system for 48 hours, making sure to stir all the sand and use a powerhead to shoot chlorinated water inside all your rocks. (Use rubber gloves to protect your hands from coming into contact with the chlorine.)

After 48 hours you can use Sodium Thiosulfate to neutralize the chlorine in the water. Most pool places sell a product called Chlor Out which contains sodium thiosulfate and is safe to use.

You can use this website to determine how much sodium thiosulfate to dose: https://www.edspumps.com/water-treatment/documents/Antichlorination.pdf

After you are all finished, your alkalinity might need to be raised. If so, use baking soda as per this calculator: http://reef.diesyst.com/chemcalc/chemcalc.html

Then, allow the tank a few weeks fallow and to re-cycle (gives the fish plenty of time for treatment and post-observations).

Meanwhile, acclimate a couple of light-colored freshwater mollies and introduce them to the coral QT to check if anything made it though. If not, replace corals into main tank and slowly add fish back in, and pray.

I don’t think I’d be able to toss live corals and clean-up crew

 

[jk_s124]

That sounds like a reasonable plan. Thank you so much! It would be a real tough pill to swallow giving up on the coral. I had tried to mentally prepare my self for that eventuality....and if it doesn’t work I’m ready for that. But it’s reassuring to hear there is at least a fighters chance.

 

[jk_s124]

So saturday I was out of town, and planning to quarantine the fish on Sunday. First thing I did when I got home was to head over to the tank and see how the chromis was doing. To my surprise she was out front and swimming around in a much more normal way. The mark on the side seemed to have almost completely disappeared. After several more days now of observation, the chromis has continued to behave normal and no signs of a mark on her side any longer at all. So I’m not sure exactly what to make of that. I feel maybe I over reacted to a superficial injury that was slightly infected.

 

[shred5]

So saturday I was out of town, and planning to quarantine the fish on Sunday. First thing I did when I got home was to head over to the tank and see how the chromis was doing. To my surprise she was out front and swimming around in a much more normal way. The mark on the side seemed to have almost completely disappeared. After several more days now of observation, the chromis has continued to behave normal and no signs of a mark on her side any longer at all. So I’m not sure exactly what to make of that. I feel maybe I over reacted to a superficial injury that was slightly infected.

Could have been a injury.

 

[jk_s124]

Could have been a injury.

I sure hope so.