Lost Midas Blenny - looking for advice and potential diagnosis

[WallysWorld]

I had this Midas Blenny in my tank for 10 days. Initially appeared to adjust well with a very strong appetite. I noticed him itching his tail with his nose about 2 days ago. Spent the last 24 hours upside down in rock near bottom of tank. He ate a little bit last night but with significantly reduced appetite. I removed him this morning, gills were moving but he wasn’t.

I’m not a great photographer, but here’s the photos I have. Any thoughts about what the disease/issue was?

Worried about rest of tank inhabitants. Recommendations on steps I should take?

Tank is a Red Sea Reefer 170, been running for 4 months, good stable water parameters. Two clowns, one Watchman Goby, one Pistol Shrimp, one Emerald Crab, Trochus and Nassarius Snails. All LPS and Soft corals.

 

[Big G]

Was the Blenny QT'd and prophylatically treated?

 

[WallysWorld]

I believe that my LFS did this, but double checking what their process was/is. They do strongly advise not to put any of their water into my tank, so there is some treatment there.

I do not have a quarantine tank, unfortunately my apartment would make this very difficult. I know that this is not ideal.

Thanks.

 

[Oldsalt01]

Doesn’t sound good. The left eye looks cloudy which would indicate a bacterial infection but that’s strictly a guess. Without QT you’ve taken a huge risk of infection for the rest of the fish. I ALWAYS assume new fish have something infectious and QT for a minimum of four weeks, if for no other reason than to observe, reduce transport stress, and get them on a regular feeding schedule. My recommendation is QT the remaining residents, observe for possible disease outbreak, and leave the main tank fishless for a minimum of 8 weeks to ensure no future infection. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Big G]

I believe that my LFS did this, but double checking what their process was/is. They do strongly advise not to put any of their water into my tank, so there is some treatment there.

I do not have a quarantine tank, unfortunately my apartment would make this very difficult. I know that this is not ideal.

Thanks.

Unfortunately, the only QT you can truly trust is your own. Think of it this way. Your LFS has hundreds of fish and maybe dozens of fish in their version of QT to watch and care for with treatments that need to be pretty precise; your QT with maybe one or two fish would get all of your attention and care and the all important precision of dosing, timing and observation.
Normally the first step is to give the fish a freshwater dip to check for flukes which can greatly inhibit the fish's ability to breathe. The dip removes many of the flukes but can be treated later.
Next step is to treat with copper or CP to eliminate Ich and or Velvet. But we've also seen recently a really bad bacterial infection in the fish supply line. So we are recommending also treating during the copper/CP with an wide spectrum antibiotic like Kanaplex, Furan2, NFG (nitrofuracine green: this stuff really work well on new incoming fish, highly recommend its use).
A small tank 10 gallon or even a Rubbermaid container would work for a temporary QT. HOB filter, heater, powerhead, and a bubble type foam filter (this really helps IMO) is all you need for a decent QT.
Are you seeing any spots on your Blenny? Or any other visual symptoms?

 

[starypotter]

Unfortunately, the only QT you can truly trust is your own. Think of it this way. Your LFS has hundreds of fish and maybe dozens of fish in their version of QT to watch and care for with treatments that need to be pretty precise; your QT with maybe one or two fish would get all of your attention and care and the all important precision of dosing, timing and observation.
Normally the first step is to give the fish a freshwater dip to check for flukes which can greatly inhibit the fish's ability to breathe. The dip removes many of the flukes but can be treated later.
Next step is to treat with copper or CP to eliminate Ich and or Velvet. But we've also seen recently a really bad bacterial infection in the fish supply line. So we are recommending also treating during the copper/CP with an wide spectrum antibiotic like Kanaplex, Furan2, NFG (nitrofuracine green: this stuff really work well on new incoming fish, highly recommend its use).
A small tank 10 gallon or even a Rubbermaid container would work for a temporary QT. HOB filter, heater, powerhead, and a bubble type foam filter (this really helps IMO) is all you need for a decent QT.
Are you seeing any spots on your Blenny? Or any other visual symptoms?

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