Purple Tang Question

[Josh Hobgood]

Hey guys and gals. I have a purple tang who seems to be breathing heavy and not eating. I do not see any white spots on him at the moment. He is swimming upright just lethargic. I have been reading and wonder if a freshwater dip is good idea? I don't want to stress him anymore than he is. I have a 20 gallon long QT Tank set up but have never used it. It will likely need a water change before I use it if that is recommended. I have reef medic medicine at home but that is it. Thank you in advance for any help! Don't want to lose him!

Ammonia = 0 ppm (Red Sea)
Nitrate = 5-10 ppm (Red Sea)
Phosphate = .06 (Hanna)
Salinity = 1.025 (BRS Refractometer)
Alkalinity = 9.9 DKH (Hanna)
PH = 8.1 (Red Sea)

Run Carbon 8 Hours a day (BRS Rocks Carbon in a BRS reactor)
Run GFO all day (BRS Reactor)
2 Filter Socks
Protein Skimmer all day (Clean cup every day)
2 MP 40's on 60% lagoon for flow

 

[Big G]

Yep, you are correct in thinking to do a freshwater dip. It's a good first step to either confirm or eliminate flukes as a potential problem for your tang. If you do find flukes, General Cure dosed into your QT is my preference of treatment. It's much easier on fish than Prazipro + Metro.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

May I add is this a new addition or someone u have had for a while and this is just now coming on? How’s eating going. Pic of the guy couldn’t hurt if your able.

 

[Josh Hobgood]

How long should I do a dip? Pics coming soon

 

[Big G]

5 minutes is the usual. Here's a great post/video on FW dipping: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/video-how-to-do-a-freshwater-dip.286639/#post-3487082

 

[Josh Hobgood]

He’s been in Tank since January. Was finally able to catch him tonight to do the dip. He laid flat and stiff during the dip. He doesn’t look good. I didn’t notice spots or redness near his gills. When I put him back in display he swam back to his cave. I’m afraid I may lose him.

 

[tgrick]

I would not have let him go...

The freshwater dip was an excellent idea. The next phase is Meds. My vote is Trifecta...Metroplex, Furan II and Kanaplex. He needs to go into a 10 or 20 gallon tank an this is what I would do:

Day 1- all three
Day 2- furan-2
Day 3- 25% waterchange THEN all 3
Day 4- furan-2
Day 5- 25% waterchange THEN all 3
Day 6- furan-2
Day 7- 25% waterchange THEN all 3
Day 8- furan-2
Day 9- 25% waterchange THEN all 3
Day 10- furan-2
Day 11- 25% (or more) waterchange

If you need to go 14 days-
Day 11- 25% waterchange THEN all 3
Day 12- furan-2
Day 13- 25% waterchange THEN all 3
Day 14- furan-2
Day 15- 25% (or more) waterchange

 

[Big G]

He’s been in Tank since January. Was finally able to catch him tonight to do the dip. He laid flat and stiff during the dip. He doesn’t look good. I didn’t notice spots or redness near his gills. When I put him back in display he swam back to his cave. I’m afraid I may lose him.

Did you find any evidence of flukes in the dip container?

 

[Josh Hobgood]

 

[Josh Hobgood]

I did see some stuff in the bucket. Hard to tell what it is. Could just be particles from trying to catch him. I don’t have the experience to know what it is

 

[Big G]

Flukes that have dropped off from the shock of the freshwater dip look like sesame seeds.
Plus you usually see some relief to the fish’s gills and it’s easier for the fish to breath. At least temporarily until the fish and tank are treated. This FW dip helps for flukes, Ich, Velvet and Brooklynella.

 

[Josh Hobgood]

The Tang seems to be swimming better today. I left the stuff in the bucket I’ll look again when I get hime

 

[tgrick]

Post a picture of the stuff in the bucket!