Scale Loss

[ruegaroo]

I got a trio of blue reef chromis on Thursday from Divers Den. One small, one medium, and one large. I have spent some time watching them over the weekend and the small and medium are doing really well and zipping all over the tank. The big one kind of lurks around and I see it going to the cleaner shrimp a bunch. I also just saw a scale fall off of its side so that has me worried that this might be something serious. Looking closely it looks like a small patch of scales is raised. No spots or any signs of anything else on the fish. Just a small patch of raised scales. It's also really finicky when feeding time comes around. The others go for whatever is given to them but the big one has only eaten mysis.

I'm wondering if this is anything to worry about. I want to catch it early if it is and pull the fish out if need be.

 

[Dierks]

Im sorry you are dealing with this... Does it look something like this?

Uronema marinum

Uronema marinum What You Need To Know: * These are the red sores most often seen on chromis damsels; however it can afflict any fish. * Treatment of choice is a 45 minute formalin bath (e.g. Quick Cure), followed by transfer into a new/sterile QT. * Once in QT, it is very important to do...

www.reef2reef.com

I would suggest getting the big guy in his own tank and take a peek over teh above artical for options and treat ment.

Chromis are tough at the beginning, (Lots of uronema and fighting with these guys) but once they get through the initial hurdle are tough as nails.

 

[ruegaroo]

Im sorry you are dealing with this... Does it look something like this?

Uronema marinum

Uronema marinum What You Need To Know: * These are the red sores most often seen on chromis damsels; however it can afflict any fish. * Treatment of choice is a 45 minute formalin bath (e.g. Quick Cure), followed by transfer into a new/sterile QT. * Once in QT, it is very important to do...

www.reef2reef.com

I would suggest getting the big guy in his own tank and take a peek over teh above artical for options and treat ment.

Chromis are tough at the beginning, (Lots of uronema and fighting with these guys) but once they get through the initial hurdle are tough as nails.

Yeah I'm reading up on uronema. I'm going to pull him out from the others. Don't want it getting to them if that's what this is.

 

[ruegaroo]

It doesn't look like a red abrasion though. It might be in the very very early stages. It just looks like a small patch of raised translucent scales. His color is good and no real signs of damage.

 

[Dierks]

You may also consider ding this step no matter what even on the two that are looking good. (So all 3) At least with Chromis I do, I am proactive with these guys as they are notorious for this disease both inside and outside the fish.
Remember to also food soak metronidazole during the QT period in order to eliminate the internal parasites as well.

 

[Dierks]

I would suggest Treatment for either Brook or Uronema (Scale loss is indications of one of these two in my option )

Formalin

FORMALIN Formalin (37% formaldehyde) What It Treats – Marine Velvet Disease (Amyloodinium), Brooklynella, Uronema, Flukes (Monogeneans), Black Ich (Turbellarians). How To Treat – In order for Formalin to be fully effective, the product you are using should contain 37% formaldehyde. At present...

www.reef2reef.com

Or

Chloroquine phosphate

Chloroquine Phosphate *** The information contained here is subject to changes as I experiment and learn more about Chloroquine Phosphate *** What It Treats – Marine Ich (Cryptocaryon irritans), Marine Velvet Disease (Amyloodinium ocellatum), Brooklynella hostilis and Uronema marinum. How To...

www.reef2reef.com

Please let us know how the little guy fairs!

 

[ruegaroo]

So I pulled the big one out and in doing so more scales fell off and it looked like Uronema. Unfortunately for me I didn’t have them in a quarantine system because I’m not set up for that as I’m still new to the hobby. Am I screwed now? I’m really worried now and feel like an idiot for trusting Divers Den. I have a pair of clowns and a blenny and am freaking out that this could spread to them. Is it true that once Uronema is in the water it’s impossible to get out?

 

[Dierks]

I really am sorry you are dealing with this as it is never fun. It's pretty amazing how fast we learn in this hobby simply by being human. Don't beat yourself up, this isn't really Divers Dens fault either. These guys just are prone to this disease, I do wish companies that advertise themselves as a clean option to do a better job in general no question about that. (We could start an entire thread on that topic) You just learned very early in your Reefing Career that maybe QT systems are a good thing! Everyone has their own option on them but I am a HUGE advocate for them.

Well you did a grate first step of getting the big guy out. In regards to the if it ever gets into the tank it will never get out question I guess I dont know the answer to that one... Sorry maybe @Big G can help us out on that. I think I seen him online.

Keep your eye out on the other fish and simply know what you are battling, it might not spread at all. You just will have to watch, I think you are fine!

So tomorrow morning you may want to run to Petco and grab two $20 Tanks and set them up, one for the guy we know that has it and one for the guys you think are good! So to treat those fish, I know you will read all night about this and you need to pick a plan and be proactive with this as it is a very fast moving disease.

Now that we are done beating ourselves up, Pick a plan and go after it! You can do it!!

 

[Big G]

Sorry but uronema can survive "without" a fish host in a tank. So you can't go "fallow" to eliminate this awful parasite. The only way is to sterilize (bleach, rinse, rinse, dry) the tank, rocks, equipment. Sorry.

 

[ruegaroo]

Sorry but uronema can survive "without" a fish host in a tank. So you can't go "fallow" to eliminate this awful parasite. The only way is to sterilize (bleach, rinse, rinse, dry) the tank, rocks, equipment. Sorry.

Do you have any idea if it stays on corals?

 

[Big G]

Do you have any idea if it stays on corals?

It's a free swimming parasite. I'd dip the corals in Bayer, rinse, rinse, rinse.