I need help identifying what is wrong with my fish

[Dianemetcalf]

I have been in this hobby for about 5 months. I have a 150 gallon reef tank. This past week, I have lost a few fish and I am not sure what is killing them. I have a couple of friends that have suggested that it is black ick. I need help identifying and then suggestions on how to treat it.

 

[Chrisfish]

@melypr1985 @Humblefish

 

[Brew12]

I have been in this hobby for about 5 months. I have a 150 gallon reef tank. This past week, I have lost a few fish and I am not sure what is killing them. I have a couple of friends that have suggested that it is black ick. I need help identifying and then suggestions on how to treat it.

Can you try to describe what you are seeing on the fish and how the fish are acting? That information could be very useful to the experts when they try to help identify it.

Oh, and Welcome to Reef2Reef! Just wish it was under happier circumstances!

 

[Dianemetcalf]

Can you try to describe what you are seeing on the fish and how the fish is acting? That information could be very useful to the experts when they try to help identify it.

My Naso has black spots on his face and the front part of his body. She was still eating last night but has not eaten anything today. She is sort of wobbly in her swimming and her gills seem to be moving faster than normal. Her eyes are getting more and more cloudy. The other fish I have lost have been the same way and once they quit eating, they have died within a few hours. I have lost a white tail bristle tooth, a powder brown and a yellow eye kole.

 

[Brew12]

My Naso has black spots on his face and the front part of his body. She was still eating last night but has not eaten anything today. She is sort of wobbly in her swimming and her gills seem to be moving faster than normal. Her eyes are getting more and more cloudy. The other fish I have lost have been the same way and once they quit eating, they have died within a few hours. I have lost a white tail bristle tooth, a powder brown and a yellow eye kole.

Do you have a quarantine tank available and copper to use in it?

 

[Dianemetcalf]

Do you have a quarantine tank available and copper to use in it?

I do not currently have a quarantine tank. Is there any medication that is reef and invert safe?

 

[Brew12]

How long has it been since you have added anything new to the tank? I'm struggling to find anything even close to what you are describing but again, I'm not one of the experts.

Not if it is Velvet which is a quick killer, but is normally describes as looking like the fish has been sprinkled with salt. Ich tends to kill slower, but I think it would be more spread out over the fish.

At this point I would almost think a gram negative bacteria infection?

#reefsquad

Maybe one of these guys can give some thoughts.

 

[Brew12]

Can you look at this link and see if you have seen something like this on your other fish?

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/hlle-head-lateral-line-erosion.259916/

 

[Dianemetcalf]

Can you look at this link and see if you have seen something like this on your other fish?

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/hlle-head-lateral-line-erosion.259916/

The fish don't look like they have rotting skin.

How long has it been since you have added anything new to the tank? I'm struggling to find anything even close to what you are describing but again, I'm not one of the experts.

Not if it is Velvet which is a quick killer, but is normally describes as looking like the fish has been sprinkled with salt. Ich tends to kill slower, but I think it would be more spread out over the fish.

At this point I would almost think a gram negative bacteria infection?

#reefsquad

Maybe one of these guys can give some thoughts.

I added a couple of clowns last week. I found one in my sump, dead and the other died.

 

[Brew12]

My limited experience leads me to two possibilities.
Velvet, which can only be treated with copper, or a very aggressive bacterial infection and would require an antibiotic. That would require something along the lines of Kaneplex and/or Metroplex I believe.

Since QT isn't an option, do you know if your local fish store carries Ruby Reef Rally? It can be used in tank and can treat a wide array of problems.

 

[Nano101]

I have been in this hobby for about 5 months. I have a 150 gallon reef tank. This past week, I have lost a few fish and I am not sure what is killing them. I have a couple of friends that have suggested that it is black ick. I need help identifying and then suggestions on how to treat it.

Do you have a grounding probe? Could be caused by stray electricity (just a guess). Looks like wasting disease to me.

 

[melypr1985]

Hi there! Can you perform a Freshwater Dip on the Naso? It's the quickest and easiest way to confirm/rule out flukes AND black ick. Here's how to do it.
Freshwater Dip: Provides temporary relief for Brooklynella, Flukes & "Black Ich", Marine Velvet disease (Amyloodinium); possibly even Ich & Uronema marinum (both unproven). Can be used to confirm the presence of Flukes.

How To Treat - Fill a bucket with RODI water, and use a heater to match the temperature to the water the fish is coming from. Aerate the water heavily for at least 30 minutes prior to doing the dip, then discontinue aeration while performing the dip. Fish aren’t overly pH sensitive for short durations like this, but you can squirt a little tank water into the dip just before the fish goes in to help bring it up.

Place the fish in the freshwater (FW) dip and observe closely. It is not unusual for them to freak out a little at first. Also, tangs are notorious for “playing dead” during a FW dip. The important thing is to watch their gills; they should be breathing heavily at all times during the dip. If breathing slows, it’s time to exit the dip. Dip the fish for no longer than 5 minutes. Multiple dips may be done, but it’s important to give your fish a day to recuperate in-between dips.

For flukes, use a dark (preferably black) bucket so you can see if tiny white worms fall out of the fish (especially out of the gills) at around the 3-4 minute mark. The worms will settle to the bottom, so you can use a flashlight to look for them there as well.

Pros - Provides temporary relief for a wide range of diseases in a chemical free environment. Can “buy you more time” until a proper treatment can be done.

Cons/Side Effects - Not a permanent “fix” for any disease, as FW dips are not potent enough to eradicate all of the parasites/worms afflicting the fish. Some fish can have an adverse reaction to a FW dip by appearing unable to maintain their equilibrium once returned to the aquarium. If this happens, hold the fish upright (using latex, nitrile or rubber gloves), and gently glide him through the water (to get saltwater flowing through the gills again). It is also a good idea to place the fish in an acclimation box until he appears “normal”.

 

[Dianemetcalf]

My limited experience leads me to two possibilities.
Velvet, which can only be treated with copper, or a very aggressive bacterial infection and would require an antibiotic. That would require something along the lines of Kaneplex and/or Metroplex I believe.

Since QT isn't an option, do you know if your local fish store carries Ruby Reef Rally? It can be used in tank and can treat a wide array of problems.

I will check with them. Thank You!!

 

[Brew12]

I will check with them. Thank You!!

Make sure you follow Melypr's instructions on the fresh water dip, she is the expert!

I should have thought of that as a good way to check if this was black ich!

 

[Humblefish]

There are closeup photos of black ich on fish here, for comparison purposes. If some drop off during the FW dip, that will tell for sure that your fish is infested with turbellarian flatworms.

But I think it more likely that you are dealing with a nasty gram negative bacterial disease in your tank: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/bacterial-infections.191511/

 

[Dianemetcalf]

Hi there! Can you perform a Freshwater Dip on the Naso? It's the quickest and easiest way to confirm/rule out flukes AND black ick. Here's how to do it.
Freshwater Dip: Provides temporary relief for Brooklynella, Flukes & "Black Ich", Marine Velvet disease (Amyloodinium); possibly even Ich & Uronema marinum (both unproven). Can be used to confirm the presence of Flukes.

How To Treat - Fill a bucket with RODI water, and use a heater to match the temperature to the water the fish is coming from. Aerate the water heavily for at least 30 minutes prior to doing the dip, then discontinue aeration while performing the dip. Fish aren’t overly pH sensitive for short durations like this, but you can squirt a little tank water into the dip just before the fish goes in to help bring it up.

Place the fish in the freshwater (FW) dip and observe closely. It is not unusual for them to freak out a little at first. Also, tangs are notorious for “playing dead” during a FW dip. The important thing is to watch their gills; they should be breathing heavily at all times during the dip. If breathing slows, it’s time to exit the dip. Dip the fish for no longer than 5 minutes. Multiple dips may be done, but it’s important to give your fish a day to recuperate in-between dips.

For flukes, use a dark (preferably black) bucket so you can see if tiny white worms fall out of the fish (especially out of the gills) at around the 3-4 minute mark. The worms will settle to the bottom, so you can use a flashlight to look for them there as well.

Pros - Provides temporary relief for a wide range of diseases in a chemical free environment. Can “buy you more time” until a proper treatment can be done.

Cons/Side Effects - Not a permanent “fix” for any disease, as FW dips are not potent enough to eradicate all of the parasites/worms afflicting the fish. Some fish can have an adverse reaction to a FW dip by appearing unable to maintain their equilibrium once returned to the aquarium. If this happens, hold the fish upright (using latex, nitrile or rubber gloves), and gently glide him through the water (to get saltwater flowing through the gills again). It is also a good idea to place the fish in an acclimation box until he appears “normal”.

I tried to catch her, but she knows where to hide. I don't want to stress her too much. I will try again in a bit.

 

[Dianemetcalf]

There are closeup photos of black ich on fish here, for comparison purposes. If some drop off during the FW dip, that will tell for sure that it is a worm.

But I think it more likely that you are dealing with a nasty gram negative bacterial disease in your tank: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/bacterial-infections.191511/

What is a Gram Negative disease? I can't find anything on it yet. Is it treatable?

 

[Humblefish]

What is a Gram Negative disease? I can't find anything on it yet. Is it treatable?

Look here: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/bacterial-infections.191511/

 

[melypr1985]

I tried to catch her, but she knows where to hide. I don't want to stress her too much. I will try again in a bit.

Sorry hun. You'll have to catch her no matter what it ends up being.... either for the FW dip or to treat the infection. Good luck with getting her out!

 

[Dianemetcalf]

I went and bought a 30 gallon QT tank. I put 20 gallons of water out of my main tank and 10 gallons of new water. I was able to catch my Nano. I did the freshwater dip and then added him to the new tank with copper. Fingers crossed for a miracle. She looks terrible but acts pretty ok.
Thank you all for your input!