Help with Heniochus ASAP

[Todd A.]

I have a Heni just purchased on Tuesday I need help with asap. He's in a QT tank with a Half & Half Wrasse purchased at the same time. It seemed to be doing well, eating some and swimming around a bit, but being very shy. This morning it is laying on its side and appears to be in a critical situation. It does not appear to be breathing heavy and can swim upright a bit, but then just goes back to laying on its side at the bottom of the tank. No other outward signs of disease or parasites. Can someone help diagnosis and suggest possible treatment. The only thing I can think of is a swim bladder infection.
The wrasse appears to be normal.
Any advise will be greatly appreciated.

 

[helen ann]

@melypr1985 & @Humblefish

 

[Duke4Life]

Can you post any pics?

 

[Humblefish]

Can you post any pics?

Or a video? Because all we have to go on is the fish is laying on its side, which could mean a lot of different things. You could do a quick 5 min FW dip to check for flukes, but it sounds like the fish may not survive that: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/freshwater-dip.248898/

 

[Todd A.]

Honestly, I don't think the fish is going to last another 15 minutes. It's breathing heavy now and not really able to swim. As much as I would hate to lose this fish, I really don't want this to infect the wrasse that is sharing the tank with it. Any ideas on what the issue is?

 

[Humblefish]

I would at least put the fish in an acclimation box until it passes. If it has a transmissible disease that is likely already waterborne by now, but no harm in putting the fish in a 5 gallon bucket with an airstone & heater if you just want him out of the QT. When he dies drop the body in FW to check for flukes.

 

[Todd A.]

And what would I look for in regards to flukes in the fresh water?

 

[Todd A.]

And should I go ahead and treat the QT for flukes, or anything in particular? Luckily, I have not ever had to treat before.

 

[Humblefish]

And what would I look for in regards to flukes in the fresh water?

Tiny white worms (see photos below) that will fall off or out of the fish (especially out of the gills).

 

[Humblefish]

And should I go ahead and treat the QT for flukes, or anything in particular? Luckily, I have not ever had to treat before.

If flukes show on the butterfly, definitely treat the QT with Prazipro ASAP as the wrasse would likely also be infected.

 

[Todd A.]

definitely treat the QT with Prazipro ASAP as the wrasse would likely also be infected.

Sadly enough, the Heni had died and I had already removed him from the QT prior to seeing the suggestion about putting him in fresh water to look for flukes. Even though it was out of water for about 15-20, in a bag, I did go ahead and put it in fresh water to look for any parasites, but did not see anything. I assume that since the fish was out of water for that amount of time, the flukes probably had died and would not exit the body. I'm guessing the leaf shaped white spots in the pic above are the flukes. I was looking for more of a worm shape, but saw nothing at all. I had Praxipro on hand and went ahead and treated the QT. I know that it's typically better not to treat unless you're absolutely sure it's necessary but considering how fast this took the Heni, I just don't want to take the chance. I've read plenty about people (and LFSs) that keep therapeutic levels of copper in their QTs, but as I said before, I have never had the need to treat. Should I consider it, or am I better off waiting it out? And now that I've used the Praxipro, I'm pretty sure missing meds is a no-no.
Thanks, I appreciate the help.

 

[helen ann]

Honestly, I don't think the fish is going to last another 15 minutes. It's breathing heavy now and not really able to swim. As much as I would hate to lose this fish, I really don't want this to infect the wrasse that is sharing the tank with it. Any ideas on what the issue is?

Awwwww so sorry about you fish ... He was beautiful

 

[Empress]

Sadly enough, the Heni had died and I had already removed him from the QT prior to seeing the suggestion about putting him in fresh water to look for flukes. Even though it was out of water for about 15-20, in a bag, I did go ahead and put it in fresh water to look for any parasites, but did not see anything. I assume that since the fish was out of water for that amount of time, the flukes probably had died and would not exit the body. I'm guessing the leaf shaped white spots in the pic above are the flukes. I was looking for more of a worm shape, but saw nothing at all. I had Praxipro on hand and went ahead and treated the QT. I know that it's typically better not to treat unless you're absolutely sure it's necessary but considering how fast this took the Heni, I just don't want to take the chance. I've read plenty about people (and LFSs) that keep therapeutic levels of copper in their QTs, but as I said before, I have never had the need to treat. Should I consider it, or am I better off waiting it out? And now that I've used the Praxipro, I'm pretty sure missing meds is a no-no.
Thanks, I appreciate the help.

I think i read somewhere that flukes can still remain alive for a while even after the fish has died (more than 10-15 minutes is still possible).

 

[Humblefish]

I think i read somewhere that flukes can still remain alive for a while even after the fish has died (more than 10-15 minutes is still possible).

^^ This, and dead flukes would still turn white and fall out of the gills, if present.

@Todd A. While I advocate using Prazipro on all new fish in order to deworm, whether or not to use copper as a prophylaxis is a bit more controversial because it can be harsh on certain fish. It really comes down to personal preference and knowing yourself. If you are a highly observant, attention to detail type, who has the time to spend 10-15 mins every single day watching your fish in QT; then just passive observation should work for you. Because even if you don't see visible physical symptoms of ich/velvet, you'll notice the more subtle behavioral symptoms such as heavy breathing, head twitching, scratching, flashing, etc. You'll just know something isn't right with the fish (of course, experience also helps.) However, if you are always on the go, no free time, don't notice little things, etc. - then prophylactically using copper (or some other treatment for eradicating external parasites) is probably the way to go.