Three spot blenny sudden death. Help me diagnose him!

[kikimango209]

Hi,

my three spot blenny suddenly stopped eating today and hiding away in its little cave.
It was breathing hard so I thought of ammonia rise. Did 20% PWC.
Later on, it came out and swam like frenzy, almost hitting itself to the substrate.
In that instant, I thought he was a gonner. I decided to leave him and watch.

Just not long ago, he was gone, lying on side.
I found red~black lesion on its belly which I never witnessed before.

Is it a kind of infection or trauma? It used to hang around in between protein skimmer and heaters so I can't tell if it got burnt or had physical trauma.

Sorry I don't have my water parameters.
But I do weekly 15% PWC and my invertebrates (hermit crabs and peppermint shrimps) seem active and fine.

My blenny usually was so active and eats like a pig. Had him for few months.

Any advice on diagnosing it..? I am hesitant whether to get another blenny or not.

 

[Uncle99]

Hard to say what may have occurred first.
He sounds like he may have been affected by one of the three main parasites we see in the hobby and then maybe one of the CUC had a taste after death?

breathing hard, flashing, hiding, all can be indicators of parasites.

 

[vetteguy53081]

May be a resulting infection from a protruding anus known as a rectal prolapse which can be caused by constipation, straining or even unknown parasitic infection. These are generally noticed from refusal to eat or even trying to scratch its butt on the sand from irritation or even parasitical worm or roundworm.
Ulcers are another possibility

 

[kikimango209]

CUC

Not likely my CUC attacked him after death. Because I almost caught him dying and non of my CUC came nearby.
Only new introduction was 2 hermit crabs and 1 peppermint shrimp. Can those carry parasite spreading to fish too?
He has been doing so well so I feel devastated. Any recommendation of parasite medication to dose the tank?
(I live in Aus so could be some limitation of meds I can get my hands on).
I might treat the whole tank and only keep my CUC for a while.. Im fairly new to reef (only kept freshwaters).
Advice welcomed!

 

[kikimango209]

May be a resulting infection from a protruding anus known as a rectal prolapse which can be caused by constipation, straining or even unknown parasitic infection. These are generally noticed from refusal to eat or even trying to scratch its butt on the sand from irritation or even parasitical worm or roundworm.
Ulcers are another possibility

It happened so quick. I wish I would have known it earlier..
What is good for marine fish constipation? I mainly keep freshwater bettas and other fish seem to poop well w/o interventions. I don't feed my fish everyday to reduce chance of overeating and constipation though (usually feed them every 2 days). Very sad it happened :'(

 

[vetteguy53081]

Green pea boiled and then the skin peeled off and feed the inside meat

 

[kikimango209]

Green pea boiled and then the skin peeled off and feed the inside meat

Oh so it works universally to any fish. I used to feed bettas boiled peas.
Should I suspect parasites and treat the tank first? I never seen fish dead like that so kinda lost.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Oh so it works universally to any fish. I used to feed bettas boiled peas.
Should I suspect parasites and treat the tank first? I never seen fish dead like that so kinda lost.

I generally don’t recommend treating for something you don’t have existing. Do monitor fish and water quality and feed healthy diet

 

[Uncle99]

Not likely my CUC attacked him after death. Because I almost caught him dying and non of my CUC came nearby.
Only new introduction was 2 hermit crabs and 1 peppermint shrimp. Can those carry parasite spreading to fish too?
He has been doing so well so I feel devastated. Any recommendation of parasite medication to dose the tank?
(I live in Aus so could be some limitation of meds I can get my hands on).
I might treat the whole tank and only keep my CUC for a while.. Im fairly new to reef (only kept freshwaters).
Advice welcomed!

Anything wet can house a parasite, however that risk is on the lower end IMM, but possible.

You have one dead fish and no cause, do nothing, but watch carefully right now.

Use this time to plan a QT, just in case, don’t need to start it.

If it was a parasite, it will come back in the next week or so.