New achilles and uncertain

MightyMouse85 · May 28, 2017

I just picked up a new achilles and is very active and hard to get a picture but i was looking at his face and is brownish gray splotch on his right side. He stays in the current of the hob and eats fith no issues just want to know if i should be concerned and how to get this issue treated immediately if there is a problem. Please let me know.

ngoodermuth · May 28, 2017

It looks like maybe a bit of HLLE and stress colors from what I can see. I'm going to get a second opinion to be sure, I know these guys are prone to many other ailments.

@melypr1985 @4FordFamily @Brew12

cowboy · May 28, 2017

plus1 looks a bit stressed but atleast hes eating thats a big plus with achilles.

MightyMouse85 · May 28, 2017

He was at a lfs for 2 weeks in cupramime. Now in qt and been that was since i got him 4 days ago.

Maritimer · May 28, 2017

One of the ailments that tangs (and Achilles in particular) are prone to is velvet. The reason I bring this up is that you mentioned he's swimming in the current of your HOB. Achilles do like currents generally, but swimming into or hanging in the current of a powerhead or filter is one of velvet's key behavioral symptoms. (And velvet sometimes shows _no_ physical symptoms until it's too late.) Watch him carefully, because if he does have it, you'll have to move quickly. There's a great write-up on how to deal with it here:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/velvet-amyloodinium-ocellatum.217570/

~Bruce

MightyMouse85 · May 28, 2017

What is recommendated meds? I want to treat this immediately. I will get whatever now. I was told they are sensitive to copper is this true?

MightyMouse85 · May 28, 2017

Only issues ive ever delt with was ich and that was years ago

Maritimer · May 28, 2017

You can use copper with tangs. I use CopperSafe, by Mardel labs. You'll want to test to ensure accurate copper levels, and the API copper test kit works with chelated copper. Copper Power, to my knowledge, is also perfectly serviceable chelated copper, but Kordon's "Safe Copper Aid" isn't - it's dangerously diluted.

A lot of folks use Cuprimine as well, but I've had poor results with wrasses, so use the chelated formulation.

~Bruce

4FordFamily · May 28, 2017

That is likely gill damage and/or stress. Gill damage surrounding velvet, especially if swimming near your HOB filter -- this normally indicates gill damage. The coloration is often gill damage from velvet.

That fish may not have a good prognosis at this point.

Muddying the waters further, that's a juvenile Achilles (small tear drop indicates) and they're several times more fragile than adults.

Definitely keep copper going!

MightyMouse85 · May 28, 2017

I just finished water change and dosed with coppersafe. Is gill damage reversable? He eats and swims. Not lethargic. I really hope he pulls through these guys are my favorite

melypr1985 · May 28, 2017

The pictures are only indicating stress to me. But swimming into the flow of the filter is a usually a dead giveaway for velvet. Of course achilles are also open water swimmers and like to have a lot of flow to swim in. Treating with copper for the full 30 days is never a bad idea.

MightyMouse85 · May 31, 2017

Ok well my tang is still alive. Swimming, active, eating, and breathing normally but he is looking thinner and almost see through. I have never seen this. One eye is clouded over. He's in coppersafe and getting ready to fwd. Any ideas why he is looking like casper? Doing all i can to keep him alive.

melypr1985 · May 31, 2017

MightyMouse85 said:
Ok well my tang is still alive. Swimming, active, eating, and breathing normally but he is looking thinner and almost see through. I have never seen this. One eye is clouded over. He's in coppersafe and getting ready to fwd. Any ideas why he is looking like casper? Doing all i can to keep him alive.

No white stringy poop? How long has he been in therapeutic levels of copper?

MightyMouse85 · May 31, 2017

Havent seen him poop. Got him last Thursday started treatment on Sunday.

melypr1985 · May 31, 2017

MightyMouse85 said:
Havent seen him poop. Got him last Thursday started treatment on Sunday.

OK. So I would keep a close eye out for poop. You should be able to see some poop on the bottom of the QT and it should be brown and sometimes larger than you might think. I have an achilles and a regal in QT right now and you wouldn't believe the size of their poops!

The eye is possibly infected and usually the cause of an infection is a parasite. So this could be an infection caused by the assumed ich/velvet the fish came in with.... or there may be flukes present. The freshwater dip you are prepping for is a good idea. Have you seen the video of what to look for? No matter if you see flukes in the dip or not, you can add an antibiotic to the QT... kanaplex is a good safe option. If that doesn't work then try erythromycin. If flukes show then we will treat with prazi first.

MightyMouse85 · May 31, 2017

Are those safe to use with coppersafe?

Maritimer · May 31, 2017

Yes, but you may run into a bacterial bloom that lowers dissolved oxygen in your water - make sure you've got plenty of water movement and aeration.

~Bruce

MightyMouse85 · May 31, 2017

I have a powerhead and air stone running since the start. Will get the extra meds. Which is better?

MightyMouse85 · Jun 1, 2017

Checked on him this morning and was swimming and breathing normally. Just got a call and hes dead. I have no idea why but anytime I FWD a fish they always die the next day. what the heck