Is my Blue Tang dying????

[Adam_1992]

Hey guys,

I’ve had my Blue Tang for about two weeks now and it’s been relatively okay. Not really eating but I thought it was nibbling in any algae in the tank.

Today we noticed that the Tang has been hiding under a rock all night and day. It has barely moved.

So I tried to move it to an isolated insert to feed it and it just sat there and didn’t look at the food. I’ve tried to feed Nori, normal pellets and seaweed pellets and it won’t eat none of it.

I also noticed that it’s breathing fast, it’s not gulping for air. Just breathing fast.

I’ve put it back for now and it’s hiding in a helmet I have in the tank so I can’t see it anymore.

Any help please?????

 

[Lasse]

Is it discolored? Is it shy? Has its appetite diminish with time in your aquarium? can you see any damage in the lateral line or in the head? Has it a stringy white pop?

It could be a Spironucleus infection (hexamita). In that case - a prolonged bath (at least 7 days) with a drug based on metronidazole (or its derivatives) could help. Do not know what you can find in Australia but in Europe Waterlife octozin is one of the drugs that can help. If you do the bath in a bucket - aeration is a help.

However I´m not a specialist on tangs but I know of experiences that hexamite infections is common among other algae and Aufwuchs feeders with long intestine systems.

@Jay Hemdal

Sincerely Lasse

 

[Adam_1992]

Is it discolored? Is it shy? Has its appetite diminish with time in your aquarium? can you see any damage in the lateral line or in the head? Has it a stringy white pop?

It could be a Spironucleus infection (hexamita). In that case - a prolonged bath (at least 7 days) with a drug based on metronidazole (or its derivatives) could help. Do not know what you can find in Australia but in Europe Waterlife octozin is one of the drugs that can help. If you do the bath in a bucket - aeration is a help.

However I´m not a specialist on tangs but I know of experiences that hexamite infections is common among other algae and Aufwuchs feeders with long intestine systems.

@Jay Hemdal

Sincerely Lasse

I will keep an eye on it until tomorrow and speak to my LFS for treatment.

Also to answer your questions:
-Not discoloured. Slightly pale.
-It is shy.
-Never seen it poop yet.

 

[Lasse]

I can´t exclude a gill parasite either - based on your information about heavy breathing - but heavy breathing is a sign of a high demand of oxygen and it is (IME) rather common in infectious diseases too.

Sincerely Lasse

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

What other fish are in the tank with it? Rapid breathing is often a symptom of gill disease, but as Lasse said, can also be a sign of general infection.

Jay

 

[Adam_1992]

What other fish are in the tank with it? Rapid breathing is often a symptom of gill disease, but as Lasse said, can also be a sign of general infection.

Jay

I’ve got 3 damsels, 2 clowns, a fox face and the tang.
The others are fine.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I think we have two threads going, I'm going to reply over on the Fish Disease forum so that things don't get confused....

Jay

 

[Adam_1992]

Unfortunately she died overnight... I still have no idea why though. She just never ate from when I got her.