Purple tang with velvet and cloudy eye

Ross · Nov 20, 2016

I just got this very small purple tang from an online vendor and he isn't in good condition. I believe he has velvet and possibly a bacterial infection in his right eye. The good news is that he is in quarantine by himself and he is eating. I have Prazi pro and cupramine on hand. How should i proceed? If I'm dosing the white fuzziness on his left pectoral fin and at the base of his dorsal fin as velvet correctly, obviously that would be a priority. I am thinking of starting cupramine very soon.

Brew12 · Nov 20, 2016

Is it showing any symptoms like rapid breathing or swimming into a flow source?

Brew12 · Nov 20, 2016

Did you look at this thread? It has a similar fish. It's not what I am seeing in the pictures but I'm not the best judge of that.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/velvet-amyloodinium-ocellatum.217570/

Ross · Nov 20, 2016

Thank you for the link. He is breathing normally and not swimming into the current. After reading into velvet a little more I am now doubting my diagnosis. He doesn't have spots, his fin just looks "cloudy". Any other ideas?

Brew12 · Nov 20, 2016

Ross said:
Thank you for the link. He is breathing normally and not swimming into the current. After reading into velvet a little more I am now doubting my diagnosis. He doesn't have spots, his fin just looks "cloudy". Any other ideas?

I would be worried about a bacteria infection. Is he showing any symptoms like rubbing against stuff? Any chance you can get a better picture? Really hoping @Humblefish or @melypr1985 get on and offer some better guidance.

Humblefish · Nov 20, 2016

The white splotches on the body and the cloudy eye highly suggest infection. Although it is very possible this fish has parasites as well. I would dose a broad spectrum antibiotic immediately. Kanaplex and/or Furan-2 would be your best bet, and you can also add Metroplex to the mix. Or Nitrofuracin Green Powder is another good option.

If you notice symptoms of parasites, dose copper or CP as well. And contact the vendor about all of this; the odds are not in this fish's favor.

Brew12 · Nov 20, 2016

Humblefish said:
The white splotches on the body and the cloudy eye highly suggest infection. Although it is very possible this fish has parasites as well. I would dose a broad spectrum antibiotic immediately. Kanaplex and/or Furan-2 would be your best bet, and you can also add Metroplex to the mix. Or Nitrofuracin Green Powder is another good option.

If you notice symptoms of parasites, dose copper or CP as well. And contact the vendor about all of this; the odds are not in this fish's favor.

Thanks Humble. Wish the odds were better but I feared this was the case.

Hopefully it is gram positive and not gram negative.

Humblefish · Nov 20, 2016

Brew12 said:
Thanks Humble. Wish the odds were better but I feared this was the case. Hopefully it is gram positive and not gram negative.

If the OP has quick access to antibiotics there might be a chance. I helped a friend clear two PTs with a similar looking infection using Kanaplex + Furan-2 + Metroplex.

Ross · Nov 20, 2016

Thank you all for the quick replies. The good news is that he is eating and doesn't appear terribly stressed, although he certainly doesn't look good. He has survived a few days in quarantine so far. I am trying to track down some medicine in my club locally now.

Ross · Nov 20, 2016

I have malachite green on hand. Would that be appropriate ?

Brew12 · Nov 21, 2016

Unfortunately, I believe malachite green is more of an anti-fungal than an antibiotic.

miyags · Nov 21, 2016

I treated an angel fish that looked similar with kanaplex and metrodiazinal. When I dosed, I put the meds in a cup with tank water and added little strips of nori to soak up some of the meds, then added it to the tank. I dosed kanaplex one day then metro the next. Fallow the dosing instructions, I dosed for about 2 weeks

Paul B · Nov 21, 2016

Humblefish said:
If the OP has quick access to antibiotics there might be a chance. I helped a friend clear two PTs with a similar looking infection using Kanaplex + Furan-2 + Metroplex.

Well look at that. I actually agree with you Humble.

Ross · Nov 21, 2016

I have sourced both kanaplex and metroplex locally. How should I proceed with treatment? Bath or dose the tank?

Pugfishluv3 · Nov 21, 2016

Dose the tank with kanaplex metro is best used with focus to bind it to the food

Brew12 · Nov 21, 2016

Ross said:
I have sourced both kanaplex and metroplex locally. How should I proceed with treatment? Bath or dose the tank?

I don't believe a bath is an option for these 2 meds. You can either dose the tank or use Focus to bind it to food to feed it to him. Personally, I would dose the tank following the directions on the package.

Brew12 · Nov 21, 2016

Pugfishluv3 said:
Dose the tank with kanaplex metro is best used with focus to bind it to the food

This sounds like solid advice to me.

Empress · Nov 21, 2016

It's can be hard to get fish to eat meds even if you sprinkle a little garlic on it so I would definitely dose the quarantine tank. It's a lot easier and works better.

Ross · Nov 21, 2016

Just got the tank dosed with kanaplex. He came out to eat this morning but has been hiding all day since. The cloudiness on the the eye and fin is still apparent and he is doing a little twitching.