lost several fish, what to do with the living?

[WallysWorld]

In the last 3 weeks I've lost three fish. I have three remaining and trying to decide what if anything to do. Should I move living fish into QT and treat, if so what protocol? Or should I simply wait and observe.

Details:
RS Reefer 170 (37 gallons)
1 year old
stable params - pH 8.2, 8.3 dKH, 435ppm Ca, 1400 ppm Mg, 0.25ppm Nitrate, 0.07ppm Phosphate; zero nitrite and ammonia

Lost:
Mandarin dragonet - May 10
Royal Gramma - May 12
DaVinci Clownfish(male) - June 5

Remaining Stock:
DaVinci Clownfish(female)
Royal Flasher Wrasse (Paracheilinus Angulatus)
Midas Blenny(Ecsenius midas)
2 cleaner shrimp
2 emerald crabs
a dozen snails
LPS, SPS and Soft Corals

The Royal Gramma was flashing for a while, but no physical signs of disease. No physical signs on the mandarin. The day before the clown died, I saw what looked like a film or discoloration on his sides. He was swimming directly into the current. I'm thinking Brooklynella or Velvet, but not certain. My intention was to get the sick clown into QT and treat, but he died before I could get it set up. The QT is setup now.

The remaining stock appear to be fine, eating well, no odd behavior.

 

[HotRocks]

In the last 3 weeks I've lost three fish. I have three remaining and trying to decide what if anything to do. Should I move living fish into QT and treat, if so what protocol? Or should I simply wait and observe.

Details:
RS Reefer 170 (37 gallons)
1 year old
stable params - pH 8.2, 8.3 dKH, 435ppm Ca, 1400 ppm Mg, 0.25ppm Nitrate, 0.07ppm Phosphate; zero nitrite and ammonia

Lost:
Mandarin dragonet - May 10
Royal Gramma - May 12
DaVinci Clownfish(male) - June 5

Remaining Stock:
DaVinci Clownfish(female)
Royal Flasher Wrasse (Paracheilinus Angulatus)
Midas Blenny(Ecsenius midas)
2 cleaner shrimp
2 emerald crabs
a dozen snails
LPS, SPS and Soft Corals

The Royal Gramma was flashing for a while, but no physical signs of disease. No physical signs on the mandarin. The day before the clown died, I saw what looked like a film or discoloration on his sides. He was swimming directly into the current. I'm thinking Brooklynella or Velvet, but not certain. My intention was to get the sick clown into QT and treat, but he died before I could get it set up. The QT is setup now.

The remaining stock appear to be fine, eating well, no odd behavior.

Your call to make, if you have lost half of your fish and you suspect Brook or velvet then I would recommend moving them to QT and treat with both copper and metro. Covers both.

Allow DT to be fallow for 6 weeks.

 

[LAReefer4Life]

Your call to make, if you have lost half of your fish and you suspect Brook or velvet then I would recommend moving them to QT and treat with both copper and metro. Covers both.

Allow DT to be fallow for 6 weeks.

+1^ QT as both parasites are nasty and could surely wipe out the remaining fish. Leaving fallow for 6 weeks will eradicate parasite and your fish will thank you!!

I am assuming you don't currently have a QT running which means you will need the following:

- 20 gallon tank (or large plastic bin)
- heater
- air pump/airstone or HOB filter (I recommend both as you will need more aggressive flow when using meds)
- ammonia badge (feed lightly to keep ammonia levels in check)
- bottle of Biospira or tims one and only nitrifying bacteria
- conduct 30-50% water changes daily or every other day based on ammonia readings)

Key points when using copper:

- raise copper levels slowly over 2-4 days splitting the dosing in half AM/PM. There are a few copper options on the market such as copper power, copper safe and cupramine. My personal favorite is cupramine. You need to hold therapeutic levels for 2-4 weeks. I suggest 4 weeks just to be sure.
- DO NOT use ammonia reducers such as PRIME in combination with copper.

Metro can be dosed directly to the water column but can also be given orally if combined with seachems focus. It binds the medication to the fish food making it reef safe. In your situation you will need dose into water directly.

Hope this helps and good luck!!