Physical Damage, Disease, or parasite?

[Dancingmad]

I was able to get pictures of one of my chromis that looks like he had a run in w/ something. Reaching out to the community to get additional feedback. I noticed on sunday he had a gash (it was far more "fleshy" and I could see a some lines of dark red - looked very vascular). Just now got some decent pics.

As it pertains to new additions and fish health - I move at glacial speed and haven't added anything in over a year. All my fish are either spawning or exhibiting spawning behaviors. My chromis were just "dancing" mouths open a matter of weeks ago.

My yellow tang can be a bit of a bully, if all it is us physical damage I suspect this guy just got a solid tail smack. He is also a photo bomber (YT).

R2R folks please let me know your thoughts.

 

[Crabs McJones]

How many chromis do you have in your system? It looks like he's getting picked on hard core. I see another chromis in one of the pictures that's why I asked. From my experience the chromis will pick on eachother until there's only one left.

 

[Dancingmad]

How many chromis do you have in your system? It looks like he's getting picked on hard core. I see another chromis in one of the pictures that's why I asked. From my experience the chromis will pick on eachother until there's only one left.

4 - 3 bigs and 1 tiny newer addition I added early 2017. The 3 bigs have been buddies for about maybe 3 or 4 years. Thanks for your feedback.

 

[melypr1985]

My first thought is uronema. Chromis are very very prone to this. It could be a bacterial infection from damage, but either way he's going to need to be in QT and treated asap. You'll want to feed him, and the others food soaked with metroplex + focus for the possibility of uronema. A bath in acriflavin before QT should help buy a bit of time. Treat the water in the QT with kanaplex + metroplex + Furan2 for a minimum of 10 days straight.

 

[Humblefish]

^^ Agree with uronema; how long have you had him?? Not even any new corals, inverts, rocks in over a year??

 

[Dancingmad]

Not even any new corals, inverts, rocks in over a year??

No Fish inverts or corals in over a year; Last addition was November 19th 2016: A melanurus wrasse and Fire Shrimp. I added some rocks on October 20th 2017: That could have been where it came from.

My first thought is uronema. Chromis are very very prone to this. It could be a bacterial infection from damage, but either way he's going to need to be in QT and treated asap. You'll want to feed him, and the others food soaked with metroplex + focus for the possibility of uronema. A bath in acriflavin before QT should help buy a bit of time. Treat the water in the QT with kanaplex + metroplex + Furan2 for a minimum of 10 days straight.

I can setup a QT and treat as suggested - should all fish be treated? Would feeding metroplex soaked food in the DT be advised for fish that may or may not be affected as a precaution?

*edit*Also thanks for the help y'all. I'm a little disappointed to read that its a facultative parasite. Sounds like I'm in a pretty bleak situation. Would UV Sterilization be helpful?

 

[Dancingmad]

He is Tote; I will evaluate my life's choices and try to figure out how I'm going to cope with this in the tank.

 

[Humblefish]

He is Tote; I will evaluate my life's choices and try to figure out how I'm going to cope with this in the tank.

It looks a lot like uronema, but it is possible he just gashed himself on a rock or something.

Unfortunately, the only way to know for sure is to buy another chromis (QT him first) and use him as a "test fish" to see if uronema is active in your DT.

 

[Dancingmad]

It looks a lot like uronema, but it is possible he just gashed himself on a rock or something.

Unfortunately, the only way to know for sure is to buy another chromis (QT him first) and use him as a "test fish" to see if uronema is active in your DT.

I've got a total of 6 damsel fish in my tank right now (one blue Yellow Tail, 3 remaining chromis, and 2 pink skunk clowns). Those could be my test fish, right? Everyone else looks pretty happy, and the clowns spawned around Christmas (I don't have the means to raise them, so they likely became wrasse snacks). Suppose I'll just have to keep an eye out for others affected.

Appreciate the help. I read your write up sticky as well. Thanks for taking the time to look into my problem!

 

[Dancingmad]

For the purpose of documenting here is a picture of the wound itself. I have access to a cheap digital microscope (maybe 100x zoom on a good day), but I'm not sure how much more detail it would provide. 100x more detail! just a small joke. I think that's an additional joke within a joke. Joke inception. Sorry, its a coping mechanism.

 

[Humblefish]

I've got a total of 6 damsel fish in my tank right now (one blue Yellow Tail, 3 remaining chromis, and 2 pink skunk clowns). Those could be my test fish, right?

Yes, keep a close eye on those 3 remaining chromis. If this was uronema, they will show signs soon.

 

[Dancingmad]

Yes, keep a close eye on those 3 remaining chromis. If this was uronema, they will show signs soon.

Thanks again - Will do. I'm going to clean all my backup gear and boot my QT system up again for good order. If it is Uronema looking to dry everything out, treat all the fish and start the system over again. I suppose its NBD since I just upgraded September 16th, so this "build" only has maybe a year and a half time into it. A chance to make changes! I'm a patient guy - 1.5 yr in a DT is nothing. If it comes to that I will post up my battle plan in detail and seek your advice yet again .

 

[Dancingmad]

Its been a couple of months, so its follow up time! All my fish are doing great - no one has shown any sort of symptoms from Uronema or sketchy behavior (powerhead surfing, side-sliding across the sand/rocks, sores, etc). I want to believe my fish suffered from physical damage that got horribly infected, but knowing Uronema's reputation for lurking and only striking only the weak in a healthy system it will just be a hope!

I didn't end up starting the QT system, but its happening this weekend planned and going up permanently (or for the foreseeable future at least!), which is probably better than putting it together in a panicked state of mind. I'm pretty thrilled about that.

 

[LDH]

@Humblefish or @melypr1985 if a new tank of chromis has been wiped out by this does the tank have to go fallow for a bit ? How do we make sure it’s not still in the tank?

Sorry to hijack. My friend just started a tank and asked what to do next and I have never seen this before!

Thank you in advance!

 

[Humblefish]

@Humblefish or @melypr1985 if a new tank of chromis has been wiped out by this does the tank have to go fallow for a bit ? How do we make sure it’s not still in the tank?

Sorry to hijack. My friend just started a tank and asked what to do next and I have never seen this before!

Thank you in advance!

Did any of the chromis have uronema? https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/uronema-marinum.247940/

 

[LDH]

Did any of the chromis have uronema? https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/uronema-marinum.247940/

Yes it looked like all of them died from that. Now he doesn’t know if and when he should add anything else to the tank.

 

[Humblefish]

Yes it looked like all of them died from that. Now he doesn’t know if and when he should add anything else to the tank.

Unfortunately, uronema is a “free living” parasite which does not require a fish host. So, going fallow will not eradicate it. Most fish seem protected from it via their natural immune system; but for some reason, chromis and some other fish (e.g. damsels, clownfish, anthias, butterflyfish) are not always afforded this protection. Once a tank has Uronema, it must be assumed that the disease can survive in there almost indefinitely.

So, your friend has two choices:

1. Break down the tank, sterilize everything & start over.
2. Avoid the fish species mentioned above and hope for the best.

 

[LDH]

Unfortunately, uronema is a “free living” parasite which does not require a fish host. So, going fallow will not eradicate it. Most fish seem protected from it via their natural immune system; but for some reason, chromis and some other fish (e.g. damsels, clownfish, anthias, butterflyfish) are not always afforded this protection. Once a tank has Uronema, it must be assumed that the disease can survive in there almost indefinitely.

So, your friend has two choices:

1. Break down the tank, sterilize everything & start over.
2. Avoid the fish species mentioned above and hope for the best.

Tough one. Thank you very much for the info,I appreciate your time.

 

[Dancingmad]

Sorry to hijack.

No problem - It looks like you got some help, which is great.

A wipe out of all damsels/chromis w/ the same symptoms is bleak, and almost seems to firm up the diagnosis. If it were me, I would break down, QT/hospital everything and start over. I'm no pro like Mel and Humble though! They're written tons of content for the community and would defer to their sage advice on the boards here. Don't forget about rocks - you don't want that kaka to hitchhike right back in on the rocks!

If you end up starting over (I prefer to call it a reboot) - try to look at the positive: It gives you a chance to correct some things that have been bugging you about your rig, do a deep cleaning on all your pricey gear to extend its operation, AND apply all the sweet knowledge you've absorbed on R2R . Good and bad is a matter of perspective buddy!

 

[BigJohnny]

Unfortunately, uronema is a “free living” parasite which does not require a fish host. So, going fallow will not eradicate it. Most fish seem protected from it via their natural immune system; but for some reason, chromis and some other fish (e.g. damsels, clownfish, anthias, butterflyfish) are not always afforded this protection. Once a tank has Uronema, it must be assumed that the disease can survive in there almost indefinitely.

So, your friend has two choices:

1. Break down the tank, sterilize everything & start over.
2. Avoid the fish species mentioned above and hope for the best.

What is the best way to prevent Uronema through QT, CP? I want to add a Fathead Sunburst Anthias and a Blue Green Chromis to my reef. I have a copperband in the display (among other fish but none on that list) so thats 3 susceptible to Uronema.

Thanks!