Uronema in anthias?

[Tcook]

I know this will be difficult to tell. I have had this anthias for 6 weeks in QT. Has been doing well with a Watanabe who I moved to the DT tank a week ago. I noticed that it hid a little more than usual. Seemed to be slightly less hungry for the past 2-3 days. Found her in the rocks this am. Water change last Thursday. Treated with Prazi about 2 weeks ago with the Watanabe.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Without looking at the muscle tissue under a microscope, you can’t really determine cause of death, but I’ve found that in many cases of Uronema, the fish die with their mouths fixed open like that. Other things can also cause that, but a new anthias, dying that way is pretty suspicious.
Jay

 

[Tcook]

Thanks Jay. This was one of 3 in a group. The first one died from my mistake. The second about a week later. This third one was doing well untill a few days ago. They were all quite small, about 1 1/4 ". Smaller than I would have tried/purchased had I seen them before purchase. This is the last time I will try ventralis unless I see healthy specimens over 2 inches at the lfs. Which probably means never.