Tang and blenny actin strange or normal?

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RichtheReefer21

RichtheReefer21

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I have a powder brown tang and a starry blenny...

The last 24hrs I have spotted them rubbing their bodies vigorously against sand and rocks from time to time...

Removing Dead scales? Itchy?

Or possible signs of sickness?

I'll try to catch a video of it if I can..
 
Deltec
Flexin said:
Other can add, post a video or pics, may be parasites. Look for white dots, did you add anything new to the tank?
Click to expand...

I added a purple/orange gromma, and a psychedelic drag... both came from copper treated lfs tanks. And they are both acting normal and calm.

Its infrequent, looks like how orcas and dolphins have been documented scrubbing their skin again rock to clear parasites or just cause it feels good. They haven't been able to prove why they do it.

Just worried
 
Deltec
Are there any spots on the fish or any other visual cues? Aside from scratching, are there any other symptoms? Head twitching, yawning, heavy breathing, swimming directly in the flow of a powerhead, or light sensitivity?

Do you have a QT?
 
Just a note, if you don't have a QT and try to treat the tank you can throw the tank off. I will never do that again, it took two months to get the parameters stable again and you can lose other corals and fish along the way.

I've had a LFS tell me that's normal, it's not. It's an indication something is wrong. Depending on what it is, some use a fresh water method of treating the infected fish(s) by dipping them. There is a video around here for it, where you can see the parasites burrowing our of the fish..
 
www.dinkinsaquaticgardens.com
Most likely irritation from parasites.
 
FWIW, I've had my scooter blenny for 3 yrs. and he never rubs against rocks or sand at all. If he started doing so, I would suspect parasites or illness.
 
All the other fish are fine. I will watch it.. if I see them doing it thru the next 24hrs I'll try to dip them. And I'll see if I can catch a video of them.

No heavy breathing... eating normal... the tang did twitch a few times. And I saw the blenny literally looking like a dog trying to itch it's back side with its mouth.. or at least it appeared that way..

Nitrates have been undetecable or below 5 for weeks... idk. I'll update when I can. Thanks for the feedback everyone.
 
Deltec
I dont have QT set up. I have a 10 gallon sitting in storage never used. But I imagine I would have to cycle it etc before I used it to copper treat ot whatever? I have no clue.. I'm in my 15th week as a 1st timer. All new to me... worried.
 
You described vigorous scratching earlier. I didn't see any flashing or scratching in that video, but it looked as if he was wanting to. He did look stressed and agitated.

Have you seen scratching beyond what's in the video from any of the fish?
 
Saw the blenny come out of his 'safe spot' a few times and slap his body horizontallynto the sand, like twice.. then 1 time earlier today I caught him turned back 180° on himself appearing to be biting at himself in the rear of his body, cant be sure that's what he was doing tho.

Then, about 3 or 4 times throughout the day starting last night I saw the tang rubbing itself in quick bursts against the rock, intentionally. As if itching.

Besides that nada... I dont see heavy breathing or anything. The 2 spotted goby, blue damsel, gromma, davinci and snowflake clowns are all normal.

Am I being paranoid? Guess I'll just watch closely over the next couple days and monitor them.

I haven't seen the blenny much at all. Like he is in hiding. Ramp down is almost done and he typically comes out more after dusk. Will keep an eye out.
 
Thanks... but it says doesn't cure a sickness.. am I just using the dip to verify if he actually has something or not? And idk how I'm gonna get my blenny... he hides in the rocks so deep I cant get a look at him, let alone a net on him.
 
Nutramar Foods
RichtheReefer21 said:
Thanks... but it says doesn't cure a sickness.. am I just using the dip to verify if he actually has something or not? And idk how I'm gonna get my blenny... he hides in the rocks so deep I cant get a look at him, let alone a net on him.
Click to expand...

A FW dip for 5 minutes is to confirm if you have flukes or not. They would fall off during the 3-5 minute mark and they look like sesame seeds.

It can also be used for temporary releif of velvet and Brook.
 
Also I just watched the video, I don't see any signs of parasites.

Velvet, and flukes can both be present without outward symptoms. But I don't see anything obvious. He is a little stressed it seems.

How is his eating? He looks slightly thin.
 
RichtheReefer21 said:
Thanks... but it says doesn't cure a sickness.. am I just using the dip to verify if he actually has something or not? And idk how I'm gonna get my blenny... he hides in the rocks so deep I cant get a look at him, let alone a net on him.
Click to expand...

Yes, just to confirm flukes, which if present, would explain the scratching you are seeing in more than one fish.

I suppose you could just dose prazipro in your display. I have not done that so get another opinion on the effects of doing so if you go that route.
 
BRS
Ok, thanks...

He eats daily... and hes a pig. Like, Ravenous....

He gets a mix of Carnivore, Omnivore, Herbavore pellets. and pinch of Oceans Nutrition Flakes daily... Every other day frozen brine shrimp. and once a week LRS Frenzy.

I have only had him 2 weeks. I will up the Frenzy schedule to twice a week to help him put some weight on, and I guess I'll try a FW dip tomorrow if it continues to check for Fluke.
 
Welp, FLUKE confirmed this morning...

White raised spots all over the tang. Gonna do a FW dip today after I get home from work and I'll record it for the hell of it and post. Getting the temperature up on the water now... gonna throw a jet in it too to make sure theres plenty of o2 and flow during the dip...

Any tips above and beyond the video posted above for dealing with Flukes after the dip?

What I am worried about is that my Starry Blenny seems to be irritated too, and I have no clue how I'm gonna get him out... he has 10 hiding spots in rocks and fast as hell... super skiddish too... ugh

the damsel, goby, clowns and gromma seem normal... fingers crossed.
 
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