Sick damsel

littlefoxx · May 16, 2023

Hey all. Noticed my damsel looks very faded and sick today. He is a very bright blue with a little bit of black usually. Anyone have any ideas? Give me a few to get the water parameters.

Jay Hemdal · May 16, 2023

littlefoxx said:
Hey all. Noticed my damsel looks very faded and sick today. He is a very bright blue with a little bit of black usually. Anyone have any ideas? Give me a few to get the water parameters.

While some species of damselfish can turn their colors on and off at will, this one looks really faded. Can you try for some new shots, but with clean glass, it is tough to see what is going on here. In terms of what other background information is helpful for us to know, this link explains that:

Some Helpful Hints When Posting or Responding to Threads in the Fish Disease Treatment and Diagnosis Section

Aquarium Fish Disease Problem Solving Determining the best course of action for a problem with your aquarium can be a difficult task. Even advanced aquarists will often need to seek the help of others for complicated or unique issues. Our intent here on Reef 2 Reef is to offer expert advice...

www.reef2reef.com

Jay

littlefoxx · May 16, 2023

Jay Hemdal said:
While some species of damselfish can turn their colors on and off at will, this one looks really faded. Can you try for some new shots, but with clean glass, it is tough to see what is going on here. In terms of what other background information is helpful for us to know, this link explains that:

Some Helpful Hints When Posting or Responding to Threads in the Fish Disease Treatment and Diagnosis Section

Aquarium Fish Disease Problem Solving Determining the best course of action for a problem with your aquarium can be a difficult task. Even advanced aquarists will often need to seek the help of others for complicated or unique issues. Our intent here on Reef 2 Reef is to offer expert advice...

www.reef2reef.com

Jay

Okay so ammoinia and nitrites are up (forgot to write the numbers down before I left for work!) but I noticed I have a missing blenny, so I think he might have died and caused a spike.

Jay Hemdal · May 16, 2023

littlefoxx said:
Okay so ammoinia and nitrites are up (forgot to write the numbers down before I left for work!) but I noticed I have a missing blenny, so I think he might have died and caused a spike.

Yes, watch for ammonia levels greater than about 0.50 ppm (depending on the pH, ammonia is more toxic to fish at a higher pH). Nitrite isn’t toxic to marine fish.
Jay

littlefoxx · May 17, 2023

Jay Hemdal said:
Yes, watch for ammonia levels greater than about 0.50 ppm (depending on the pH, ammonia is more toxic to fish at a higher pH). Nitrite isn’t toxic to marine fish.
Jay

So I did a water change for the ammonia. That damsel died. My two clowns also died. I have two other clowns in an acclimation box and they dont look good either. The male has a bulging eye. Ive got a trigger, firefish, cherub angel and a blue tang that all do not appear sick.

Jay Hemdal · May 17, 2023

What ammonia level did you find? What level did it driop to after the water change?

The last photo of the clownfish in the set you posted *could* be Brooklynella. That might account for the damsels and clowns being affected first.

Jay

littlefoxx · May 17, 2023

Jay Hemdal said:
What ammonia level did you find? What level did it driop to after the water change?

The last photo of the clownfish in the set you posted *could* be Brooklynella. That might account for the damsels and clowns being affected first.

Jay

Ah okay if it is that are my other fish going to get sick? And how to trear it?

littlefoxx · May 17, 2023

littlefoxx said:
Ah okay if it is that are my other fish going to get sick? And how to trear it?

I also will re test water when I get home

Jay Hemdal · May 18, 2023

littlefoxx said:
I also will re test water when I get home

Once water quality (ammonia) issues are ruled out, you would consider it could be Brooklynella. That is difficult to treat, formalin is best, but it is difficult to get and toxic to humans. Ruby Reef Rally Pro is a second choice, but it isn't as effective, and once fish loss has begun, it often doesn't work fast enougyh to save all of the reamining fish. Luckily, not all fish species are affected by Brooklynella....

Jay

littlefoxx · May 18, 2023

Jay Hemdal said:
Once water quality (ammonia) issues are ruled out, you would consider it could be Brooklynella. That is difficult to treat, formalin is best, but it is difficult to get and toxic to humans. Ruby Reef Rally Pro is a second choice, but it isn't as effective, and once fish loss has begun, it often doesn't work fast enougyh to save all of the reamining fish. Luckily, not all fish species are affected by Brooklynella....

Jay

Ah okay. Ive got a firefish, blue tang, niger trigger, cherub angel and a yellow watchmen goby in the tank. Are these guys in danger of this too?

Jay Hemdal · May 18, 2023

littlefoxx said:
Ah okay. Ive got a firefish, blue tang, niger trigger, cherub angel and a yellow watchmen goby in the tank. Are these guys in danger of this too?

I've seen confirmed Brooklynella on firefish and gobies. I'm not sure about the trigger and the blue tang.

Jay

littlefoxx · May 18, 2023

Jay Hemdal said:
I've seen confirmed Brooklynella on firefish and gobies. I'm not sure about the trigger and the blue tang.

Jay

I moved my goby and pistol to a different display to treat the remaining clown and the other fish. Will he give that tank something?

littlefoxx · May 18, 2023

littlefoxx said:
I moved my goby and pistol to a different display to treat the remaining clown and the other fish. Will he give that tank something?

Im very attached to my maroon female

littlefoxx · May 18, 2023

littlefoxx said:
Im very attached to my maroon female

She is in the tank I transferred the goby to

Jay Hemdal · May 18, 2023

littlefoxx said:
I moved my goby and pistol to a different display to treat the remaining clown and the other fish. Will he give that tank something?

Yes, there is the potential to transfer disease from one tank to another any time you move something "set" - A fish, your hand, a tank tool. The risk is based on how many of the parasites get moved over.....

Jay

littlefoxx · May 18, 2023

Jay Hemdal said:
Yes, there is the potential to transfer disease from one tank to another any time you move something "set" - A fish, your hand, a tank tool. The risk is based on how many of the parasites get moved over.....

Jay

Do you think I need to get him out if the tank immediately?

Weeb · May 18, 2023

I use Rally Pro, by Ruby Reef as a bath in the case of Brooklynella hostilis (Brook). Take fish from DT. Dip at 2x concentration, for 90 minutes. Be sure to: (a) Temperature control the bath water by using a heater. (b) Provide plenty of oxygen by using an air pump + air stone. (c) Ensure salinity, pH and temperature of the dip water matches the tank the fish is coming from. Then move fish into a parasite-free quarantine tank - same salinity, pH and temp as dip and QT for observation. QT should not be where the fish or any fish with Brook came from.

As an aside (not having to do anything with your current problem(s)), feed your fish well per recommendations in the Fish Nutrition Post.