What the #%&@?

[Wudotcom]

Is this uronema on my chromis? This was my last fish out of four from the same LFS. What do I do? Do I have to tear my tank all the way down and throw away all my corals and live rock? Btw the chromis RIP.

 

[ngoodermuth]

It does look like uronema :/

It can basically live in your tank indefinitely, so it's really tough to treat. You either have to restart, or avoid chromis and damsels :/

I don't have much experience with it first hand, hopefully someone else can offer more helpful advice.

 

[Humblefish]

^^ Agree with uronema diagnosis

You have two options:

1. Avoid adding any damsels to your DT. Clownfish and anthias also seem to be susceptible.
2. Completely break down your DT and start over.

Uronema is a “free living” parasite which does not require a fish host. So, going fallow will not eradicate it. Most fish seem protected from it via their natural immune system; but for some reason, chromis and some other fish are not always afforded this protection. Once a tank has Uronema, it must be assumed that the disease can survive in there almost indefinitely.

 

[Wudotcom]

So does that mean I have to throw away all my corals and live rock?

 

[ngoodermuth]

The rock can be bathed in muriatic acid or completely dried out and re-cured.

Corals, I'm not too sure :/

 

[roberthu526]

Does fresh water work?

 

[VelasCorals]

What about UV?

 

[Humblefish]

Does fresh water work?

What about UV?

^^ Nope & nope. Uronema can subsist off of just detritus. It is the worst possible pathogen to get in your aquarium. ;Sorry

You have to ditch the sand, bleach all the rock and completely break the tank down (and disinfect it) in order to get rid of uronema. Or just live with it by avoiding the species listed above.

Many LFS probably have latent uronema in their systems. It's one reason why chromis just die off for no apparent reason.

 

[3mm3]

^^ Nope & nope. Uronema can subsist off of just detritus. It is the worst possible pathogen to get in your aquarium. ;Sorry

You have to ditch the sand, bleach all the rock and completely break the tank down (and disinfect it) in order to get rid of uronema. Or just live with it by avoiding the species listed above.

Many LFS probably have latent uronema in their systems. It's one reason why chromis just die off for no apparent reason.

What can be done for the coral?

 

[Humblefish]

What can be done for the coral?

Honestly, I don't know. There might always be a chance of reinfection with corals from a uronema infested tank. I need to do more research on the subject.