What's wrong?

[underwaterdan]

So I have my fish in a hospital tank due to what I believe was marine velvet. Almost all are doing much better with this dose of copper they've been in except the hippo tang. He is laying down on the bottom of the tank breathing heavy and has taken on a brown color. He's able to swim around when needed and not showing too many other symptoms. Any ideas if it's the copper that's doing this? Should I take him out or is it a disease and keep him in....

 

[JoshH]

#Reefsquad @HotRocks Any thoughts here?

 

[BigRedReefer MT]

Maybe try a freshwater dip for 3-4 minutes just make sure the temp is matched with HT. If it's in his gills he could be having a hard time breathing right. when I had velvet I was amazed to see how many things fell off my fish when I dipped them. My Tang played possum imediately so keep him swimming with the handle of a net, just follow behind him and very gently nudge his tail fin if he stops. No more then 4 minutes though so set a timer. Don't want to cause extra stress if it's velvet.

 

[BigRedReefer MT]

Sorry to hear about your troubles. If @4FordFamily is online he can probably help as well as @HotRocks. These guys know their stuff.

 

[HotRocks]

Have you checked salinity on the QT? This almost looks like his mucus layer is coming off.

I suspect a secondary bacterial infection caused by the velvet affliction at the least.

Do you have antibiotics on hand, if do what kind? How are you treating for velvet?

 

[underwaterdan]

My salinity is 1.015
I don't have any antibiotics I'm and treating with copper only

 

[underwaterdan]

Here's a picture of him laying down. I am wondering if it's his form of hiding .

 

[BigRedReefer MT]

I'm not sure because I know that hyposalinity is therapeutic in some cases but I thought it was supposed to be closer to 1.020. somebody else will have to chime in there.
If you are close to a PetSmart or Petco I had good luck with melafix and pimafix to treat secondary infections while using copper treatment for parasites. I know it's not the highest quality because it's API but it worked for me.

 

[Big G]

Yeah, that's a bacterial infection setting in due to the many insertion points from the parasites. You need to act fast with broad spectrum antibiotics: a mix of Kanaplex + Furan2 + Metro, or NFG powder should help the fish's immune system. But you need to act fast. If it responds a 60-90 bath in acriflavine product like Ruby Reef Rally will help a lot. It has both antiseptic and antibiotic qualities.

 

[underwaterdan]

Ok I will work on that asap. Sad she's big and I've had her for a few years. Good news is she actually ate something today. I'll try to get some antibiotics from the lfs first thing in the am when they open

 

[underwaterdan]

Have you checked salinity on the QT? This almost looks like his mucus layer is coming off.

I suspect a secondary bacterial infection caused by the velvet affliction at the least.

Do you have antibiotics on hand, if do what kind? How are you treating for velvet?

Is my salinity of 1.015 ok for my QT?

 

[HotRocks]

It's a little low, but not harmful by any means.

 

[Big G]

Ok I will work on that asap. Sad she's big and I've had her for a few years. Good news is she actually ate something today. I'll try to get some antibiotics from the lfs first thing in the am when they open

Good on you for taking such good care of your beautiful fish.

It's a little low, but not harmful by any means.

+1 on this ^^^ I like keeping the salinity at around 1.o20 during treatments. It helps the fish a bit. And I'll take every bit I can.

 

[4FordFamily]

Yeah I agree with @Big G and @HotRocks you’re dealing with an infection at a minimum. That poor fish does stand a chance if you treat with antibiotics quickly.