Roa modesta problem

[Ocypode sinensis]

It might be weird but this is not my fish, it belonged to one of my friends who doesn't speak English and I was trying to help him out.
She has been kept for about a year, eats shrimp, homemade seafood paste (just imagine it as LRS fertility frenzy, even better), clams.
The tank is a 35cm cube, she's the only fish in it.

 

[Ocypode sinensis]

The problem is, a few days ago she starts to develop sudden jerking/flashing, also part of her skin is pinkish and there's a white spot on her tail. Photos and videos will be attached.

 

[Ocypode sinensis]

Here's the pics and vids

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Here's the pics and vids

Do you know the water temperature?
Jay

 

[Ocypode sinensis]

Do you know the water temperature?
Jay

I think it should be around 25 celcius ish, will be double checking as roas like cooler water.
But even at 28-29 celcius the fish still acts normally.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I think it should be around 25 celcius ish, will be double checking as roas like cooler water.
But even at 28-29 celcius the fish still acts normally.

I kept one for 2 years before sending it to another facility - I kept it at 21 C or less. Many fish from similar habitats (Sacura anthias, etc.) will do well at higher temperatures....for a time, then they sort of "burn out". I just wanted to rule that issue out first. The other thing to ask would be if there is any chance that fluke eggs could have gotten into the tank - through rock or coral from an infected tank perhaps?

Jay

 

[Ocypode sinensis]

I kept one for 2 years before sending it to another facility - I kept it at 21 C or less. Many fish from similar habitats (Sacura anthias, etc.) will do well at higher temperatures....for a time, then they sort of "burn out". I just wanted to rule that issue out first. The other thing to ask would be if there is any chance that fluke eggs could have gotten into the tank - through rock or coral from an infected tank perhaps?

Jay

About the water temperature, I really don't know, but I know that he had a Chaetodon ornatissimus a few weeks ago and it was constantly scratching against live rocks before it passed away.

 

[Ocypode sinensis]

@Jay Hemdal
What can be the options now, if the issue is fluke.
I got an idea of mixing 2ml of 37% formalin with 200ml water and flush the fish's tail with a syringe, will it help? Or just a FW dip?
I was worried about stressing the fish and making it stop eating, that will be a nightmare.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

@Jay Hemdal
What can be the options now, if the issue is fluke.
I got an idea of mixing 2ml of 37% formalin with 200ml water and flush the fish's tail with a syringe, will it help? Or just a FW dip?
I was worried about stressing the fish and making it stop eating, that will be a nightmare.

I would go with a FW dip over formalin, but then, a Prazipro treatment may by called for to treat the whole tank.
Jay

 

[Ocypode sinensis]

I would go with a FW dip over formalin, but then, a Prazipro treatment may by called for to treat the whole tank.
Jay

Is Prazipro invert safe, there are precious cowrie snails in his tank too, don't wanna loose it.
Also I heard that Prazipro will be quickly broke down by all those bacteria in the tank, is that true?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Is Prazipro invert safe, there are precious cowrie snails in his tank too, don't wanna loose it.
Also I heard that Prazipro will be quickly broke down by all those bacteria in the tank, is that true?

I can't guarantee a product will be safe. The general consensus is that Prazipro scavenges oxygen, and SPS corals may contract, but if dosed correctly, and extra aeration is added, it is reef safe.

Praziquantel is consumed by bacteria, but prazi works quickly and causes the flukes to fall off (then they cannot reattach). The main trouble is seen when tanks are dosed with prazi multiple times - the bacteria numbers increase to the point where they consume the prazi before it can work. Generally, you can dose a tank 2x, 10 days apart, with no issues though.

With just one fish in the tank, it might be possible to eliminate flukes through a series of dips, but I hesitate to suggest that in this case due to handling stress.



Jay