Help ASAP with diagnosis!!!

bennyb · Oct 11, 2023

Hi all, this yellowtail damsel is two days new into the tank. Initially, he swam around fine, and then found a hiding spot in a rock. But today, I found him on the sand bed on his side, gasping for air. I don’t have an established quarantine tank, so I put a strainer at the top of the tank and have been monitoring him. He will get a little burst of energy and do what it shows in the video (attached) but that’s it. He’s mostly laying on his side gasping for air. All of the other fish, inverts, and coral are doing great! It’s a six month established tank with spot on parameters.

I looked online, but there are thousands of opinions as to what it might be. I’m hoping this video gives some clarity with diagnosis!

I would appreciate any expertise and potential remedy. I’m happy to answer any follow up questions.

Thanks!

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal · Oct 11, 2023

There's no video

bennyb · Oct 11, 2023

Trying vid upload again…

bennyb · Oct 11, 2023

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal said:
There's no video

How about now?

MnFish1 · Oct 11, 2023

Can't see the video - so some general advice - a disease should not act this quickly - could it be something related to acclimation? Did you match salinity, etc? Were there other fish involved - and any other symptom.s. Is the tank well oxygenated? Fish lying on their side on the bottom usually signifies a terminal condition.

bennyb · Oct 11, 2023

MnFish1 said:
Can't see the video - so some general advice - a disease should not act this quickly - could it be something related to acclimation? Did you match salinity, etc? Were there other fish involved - and any other symptom.s. Is the tank well oxygenated? Fish lying on their side on the bottom usually signifies a terminal condition.

Sorry about the video… I’m not sure why it’s not posting!

I acclimated the fish as I do with all my others, about a 45 minute process. Yes, there was one other fish, and he is doing great. As are all of the fish and inverts that have been in the tank for months.

vetteguy53081 · Oct 11, 2023

bennyb said:
Sorry about the video… I’m not sure why it’s not posting!

I acclimated the fish as I do with all my others, about a 45 minute process. Yes, there was one other fish, and he is doing great. As are all of the fish and inverts that have been in the tank for months.

I see no signs of aggression but the gills are flared out and this fish is moribund in the video and will loikely not swim or eat normal. Adding oxygen with air stone May help but its a gamble with a fish in this condition.
See if mouth shows sores which would indicate damage from possible impact if it were chased up front. If not, osmotic shock may be a possible cause from transport to tank despite a proper acclimation

MnFish1 · Oct 11, 2023

bennyb said:
Sorry about the video… I’m not sure why it’s not posting!

I acclimated the fish as I do with all my others, about a 45 minute process. Yes, there was one other fish, and he is doing great. As are all of the fish and inverts that have been in the tank for months.

Do you happen to know the salinity the fish was in as compared to your tank>

bennyb · Oct 12, 2023

Unfortunately the little guy didn’t make it… Thank you all for your replies though!

Jedi1199 · Oct 12, 2023

Sorry about that... He looked like he was pretty much done in the video. Hard to say what caused it. If you got him from a decent store, you may be able to take it back for a replacement.