Help with yellow tang

[EyeReef]

Hey guys I’m currently treating my tank with Prazipro because there was evidence of flukes. I noticed a brown spot on one of my yellow tang yesterday and today he looks like this. Can someone help me out and how to treat him. Thanks in advance

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

#fishmedic

It looks like the skin on its side has been torn away . Do you have a hospital tank ready?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Ouch - Very bad bacterial infection which is eating away at the skin layers. very similar to fish tuberculosis.
As you may have guessed, quarantine will be needed for treatment and ASAP. This is likely gram negative and Combining Kanaplex and Metroplex has the potential for providing the widest spectrum of antibiotics for this gram negative condition.
Is the fish at least eating?
how is breathing- labored or normal ?
When did this start ?

 

[EyeReef]

It started today. Currently trying to catch it and the fish store recommended nitrofuracin green. Fish stop eating but no labor breathing

 

[damsels are not mean]

I am somewhat optimistic because it's a fish that already looks fat, so if it stops eating due to this it's not the end of the world for some time at least. That is usually a concern with new fish. It's pretty weird though for an infection to develop like that overnight.

 

[MnFish1]

Ouch - Very bad bacterial infection which is eating away at the skin layers. very similar to fish tuberculosis.
As you may have guessed, quarantine will be needed for treatment and ASAP. This is likely gram negative and Combining Kanaplex and Metroplex has the potential for providing the widest spectrum of antibiotics for this gram negative condition.
Is the fish at least eating?
how is breathing- labored or normal ?
When did this start ?

Could be mycobacterium (marinium - marine 'TB') - But it think you're right - I would bet an vibrio or another rapidly progressing gram negative infection - Mycobacterium would/should be slower - treatment IMMEDIATELY - as suggested

 

[EyeReef]

Wasn’t easy to catch in 500g but I guess I got lucky. CUrrently in QT with nitrofuracin green. Hopefully this AB will help

 

[vetteguy53081]

Could be mycobacterium (marinium - marine 'TB') - But it think you're right - I would bet an vibrio or another rapidly progressing gram negative infection - Mycobacterium would/should be slower - treatment IMMEDIATELY - as suggested

Thats the TB I mentioned but more accelarated. Not good on the fish

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I don't think this is Myco - that grows slowly over weeks/months and doesn't produce external lesions like that.

More likely, this is a gram negative bacteria; Vibrio or Pseudomonas.

My fear is that it is a very aggressive infection, and antibiotics can take up to 5 days to begin to cure, so the infection may spread during that time.


Jay

 

[MnFish1]

Thats the TB I mentioned but more accelarated. Not good on the fish

Just so we're talking about the same thing.

Mycobacterium marinum is a different type of bacteria - than vibrio and they have a lot of different parameters. Which are important both to fish and humans.

Mycobacterium marine is an Acid-fast bacteria which is relatively slow growing (in people too) - and often requires weeks/months of treatment with multiple antibiotics
Vibrio vulnificans is a gram-negative very fast growing gram-negative bacteria that can cause rapid sepsis and death (and also in people). If caught early it can be treatable. (PS - its also a relative of Vibrio cholera - i..e the bacteria that causes the significant disease cholera in people.

TB - is an abbreviation for 'mycobacterium tuberculosis' - which infects humans (as we all know) - is also slow growing and can take multiple months of treatment.

(FWIW - as you correctly allude to - Mycobacterium marinium is often called "Saltwater TB" much like Cryptocaryon is called "Saltwater Ich".

 

[EyeReef]

Help guys. Just when I thought my tank was in the clear my staff informed me my vlamingi tang is behaving like this in the video. I will get down there in 1 hr. They said it started one hour ago. They said that he was swimming rapidly back-and-forth and then laid on his side and will continue this routinely . Do you think he is still infested with fluke still even after two treatments ? Any help will be appreciated.

FYI I went through 2 treatment of Prazipro with the 2nd ending today. The yellow tang is healing up nicely in the hospital tank.

 

[ziggyjane07]

Hi, having the same problem moved house and QT’ing currently but everything is dying or getting bad ulcerative exactly like the pic of yellow tang there!
what antibiotics should i use? I have tried kanaplex and metro to no available.. general cure? i do have human capsules of nitrofurantoin? Does that assist in Vibrio?
This is horrible i really have no idea what to do here
Thanks

 

[Tamberav]

Hi, having the same problem moved house and QT’ing currently but everything is dying or getting bad ulcerative exactly like the pic of yellow tang there!
what antibiotics should i use? I have tried kanaplex and metro to no available.. general cure? i do have human capsules of nitrofurantoin? Does that assist in Vibrio?
This is horrible i really have no idea what to do here
Thanks

The OP said he used Nitrofuracin green and that the tang was healing up. This med contains: Nitrofurazone, Sulfathiazole Sodium, Methylene Blue and sodium chloride.

It can be found here:

Nitrofuracin Green - The FisHotel

Nitrofuracin Green

fishotel.com

Can you get a photo of your fish? Will help diagnose in case it is something else.

 

[RichardNeoOcean]

OMG .. so sorry for it,
I never quarentine my fish .. but i run UV 24/7 … it may keep my tank clean .

 

[ziggyjane07]

Can’t get a great pic at all my yellow tang has got septic?? But it is all ulcerative exactly like above. Thats the best i could get as he just hides.
i am in Australia and the medications are a bit harder to get here.

 

[Tamberav]

Ahhh... I will call in some others as I have no idea what would be next best choice or how to use the human meds you have. NFG is my go to.

#fishmedic

 

[ziggyjane07]

OMG .. so sorry for it,
I never quarentine my fish .. but i run UV 24/7 … it may keep my tank clean .

I’m so upset about it all.. i cant run UV as i haven’t been able to get into my new place. So they have been in like qt/holding tanks.
i am WC daily but i just can’t get it sorted.
and when i do move in I’m going to have to cycle my 1500cade from the start. the rock is in tubs with heaters and air but not liking my chances.

 

[RichardNeoOcean]

I’m so upset about it all.. i cant run UV as i haven’t been able to get into my new place. So they have been in like qt/holding tanks.
i am WC daily but i just can’t get it sorted.
and when i do move in I’m going to have to cycle my 1500cade from the start. the rock is in tubs with heaters and air but not liking my chances.

i run a Hang One UV ! Looks ugly but at least in the next 6 months i will run. It … purify everything…

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Hi, having the same problem moved house and QT’ing currently but everything is dying or getting bad ulcerative exactly like the pic of yellow tang there!
what antibiotics should i use? I have tried kanaplex and metro to no available.. general cure? i do have human capsules of nitrofurantoin? Does that assist in Vibrio?
This is horrible i really have no idea what to do here
Thanks

Visually, the cases may be similar, but that doesn't always mean the diagnosis would be the same. This post offers hints as to how best to post a disease problem report:

Some Helpful Hints When Posting or Responding to Threads in the Fish Disease Treatment and Diagnosis Section

Aquarium Fish Disease Problem Solving Determining the best course of action for a problem with your aquarium can be a difficult task. Even advanced aquarists will often need to seek the help of others for complicated or unique issues. Our intent here on Reef 2 Reef is to offer expert advice...

www.reef2reef.com

Look this link over and supply what info you can......

Thanks,

Jay

 

[reefz]

Ouch - Very bad bacterial infection which is eating away at the skin layers. very similar to fish tuberculosis.
As you may have guessed, quarantine will be needed for treatment and ASAP. This is likely gram negative and Combining Kanaplex and Metroplex has the potential for providing the widest spectrum of antibiotics for this gram negative condition.
Is the fish at least eating?
how is breathing- labored or normal ?
When did this start ?

Yes I agree with the kanaplex and metroplex. But only do if he is alone in his own tank (50+ gallons).