New clownfish might need a diagnosis.

[NaturalDisaster0]

Hey,

So my clownfish were added to the tank earlier this week, they are the only fish in the tank at the moment, the first fish to enter after the cycle was complete. Theyve been acting pretty normal until this morning they didnt eat and ive noticed that they have white patches starting to show on their scales. I have no experience diagnosing fish sickness, i have some ParaGaurd and Ich-X ready to go if they have to be treated.

Also a side note -- the tank parameters are a huge question mark right now. Since comparing my API test kit results to the test that my LFS did for me, my API kit is over reporting by a large amount and my LFS had told me that the readings were safe for adding first fish. I did another test today and again the ammonia is showing zero but nitrite and nitrate are really high. I did a 50% water change and my readings didnt move at all, so im going to have my LFS test again for me. I have RODI water as well, so there shouldnt be anything going into the tank during a water change.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Looks like typical clown disease known as Brooklynella
Skin will be hazy milky mainly at facial area. Breathing may be a little rapid and loss of appetite or acting lethargic will then occur. Additionally, at the onset, fish may scrape up against objects, rapid respiration develops, and fish often gasp for air at the surface as the gills become clogged with mucus. Very quickly the fish will become lethargic, refuse to eat, and its colors will fade. The most noticeable symptom of Brooklynella is the heavy amount of slime that is produced by a fish that has contracted this parasite. As the disease progresses, a thick whitish mucus covers the body. This will usually start at the head and spread outward across the entire body. Skin lesions appear and it is not uncommon for signs of secondary bacterial infections.
Typical treatment is a standard formalin solution is mixed with either fresh or saltwater in a separate treatment container. Initially, all fish are given a quick dip in the formalin at a higher concentration, followed by continued treatment in a prolonged bath of formalin at a lower concentration in a quarantine tank (QT). Of course, the longer the fish are exposed to the formalin treatment, the more effective it will be at eliminating this disease.
If a formalin solution is not available for immediate use, temporary relief may be provided by giving fish a FW bath or dip. Even though this treatment will not cure the disease, it can help to remove some of the parasites, as well as reduce the amount of mucus in the gills to assist with respiration problems.
Treatment is best done in a QT tank.

 

[NaturalDisaster0]

Looks like typical clown disease known as Brooklynella
Skin will be hazy milky mainly at facial area. Breathing may be a little rapid and loss of appetite or acting lethargic will then occur. Additionally, at the onset, fish may scrape up against objects, rapid respiration develops, and fish often gasp for air at the surface as the gills become clogged with mucus. Very quickly the fish will become lethargic, refuse to eat, and its colors will fade. The most noticeable symptom of Brooklynella is the heavy amount of slime that is produced by a fish that has contracted this parasite. As the disease progresses, a thick whitish mucus covers the body. This will usually start at the head and spread outward across the entire body. Skin lesions appear and it is not uncommon for signs of secondary bacterial infections.
Typical treatment is a standard formalin solution is mixed with either fresh or saltwater in a separate treatment container. Initially, all fish are given a quick dip in the formalin at a higher concentration, followed by continued treatment in a prolonged bath of formalin at a lower concentration in a quarantine tank (QT). Of course, the longer the fish are exposed to the formalin treatment, the more effective it will be at eliminating this disease.
If a formalin solution is not available for immediate use, temporary relief may be provided by giving fish a FW bath or dip. Even though this treatment will not cure the disease, it can help to remove some of the parasites, as well as reduce the amount of mucus in the gills to assist with respiration problems.
Treatment is best done in a QT tank.

Thanks for the response, i'm in the FW dip process now. Should the main tank stay empty for awhile if there was a possible parasite contamination or will these fish be able to be put back into the main tank as soon as the recovery process is over?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Thanks for the response, i'm in the FW dip process now. Should the main tank stay empty for awhile if there was a possible parasite contamination or will these fish be able to be put back into the main tank as soon as the recovery process is over?

Brooklynella is different than ich. Realize FW dip will offer temporary relief and not treatment.
Ultimately, a qurantine tank with formalin solution will be warranted. . . HOWEVER , if you can get a hold of rubt rally pro- it is reef safe and can be used in display tank

 

[Idech]

It looks like Brook, like the others said.

I bought a clown 3 weeks ago that had brook. It died within 24 hours and killed my other clown. Now the tank is fallow for 6 weeks and my blenny has lost his home and is in a hospital tank. I was able to save him.

I hope it works out for you.

 

[Idech]

Should the main tank stay empty for awhile if there was a possible parasite contamination or will these fish be able to be put back into the main tank as soon as the recovery process is over?

You can’t put the fish back in the tank. The parasite needs to be without host (a fish) for six weeks so it stops reproducing and dies.

 

[NaturalDisaster0]

Brooklynella is different than ich. Realize FW dip will offer temporary relief and not treatment.
Ultimately, a qurantine tank with formalin solution will be warranted. . . HOWEVER , if you can get a hold of rubt rally pro- it is reef safe and can be used in display tank

Thanks for the help guys, i'm not sure if i can control whats happening now. I was feeling a little optimistic when they were showing signs of being more active in the quarentine tank after the dipping process and dosing the QT with a little bit of formalin but things went south pretty quick and ive lost the smaller one already.