Where to go from here...

Shameless_Dood · Jul 30, 2017

Looking for some suggestions of what route I should take for treatment. I have 5 (yellow tang, tomini tang, 2 caryberry anthias, melanarus wrase) fish in QT in the moment (started 2 weeks ago with 9). They all got a safety stop bath when I got them (formalin and methlyn blue) 2 weeks ago. I had three different QT systems running at once, which I think is the first place I went wrong. Not getting that many going again, too hard to keep up with on my work days when I'm out of the house 14 hours a day.

Anyway, so a little history, I suspected the yellow tang had a bacterial infection when I got him he had a small red spot on a fin. I decided the bath should give that a jump start but I was going to keep an eye on him. A day or two after going in the QT it appeared to have subsided and he was eating and acting normal. I've had a hard time checking on him because as soon as I get near the tank he'll retreat to a hiding spot. Same thing with the Tomini.

Then suddenly (36 hours ish) lips are red, gills are red, fins are frayed, he's breathing rapidly, not eating, and he's slowly swimming in a circle. I treated with some BiFuran+ I had. Last night it was time for a water change, I took the attitude of all the fish are probably infected. I did a 100 percent water change and went ahead and did another Safety Stop bath. While he was out, I was able to get a decent look at him and Tomini is showing similar symptoms except he's acting fine and still eating.

So what would be the best course of action at this point? Should I go ahead and finish 10 days worth of the BiFuran+ or go get something more better?

aykwm · Jul 30, 2017

Did you check for flukes? It might be flukes with secndary bacterial infection. You can perform 5 min FW dip to check for it.
Also make sure ammonia is always 0. While quarantining my angelfish, i had to travel for a day and came the next day and found some ammonia traces in the tank. It turned red, breathing rapidly and on its side. Since you are out at work for 14 hours a day, ammonia might build up, especially tangs since they eat a lot and produce a lot of waste. you can dose prime or other ammonia neutrilizing products if you are not adding copper or other incompatible medication (antibiotics are fine)

Best of luck

Shameless_Dood · Jul 30, 2017

I forgot to mention, they did get 1 prazipro treatment already. Next one would be Tuesday at the latest

ngoodermuth · Jul 30, 2017

I would definitely finish out the 10 day treatment, maybe even a bit longer. Did you happen to get any pictures?

You could also add metroplex and kanaplex to widen the spectrum if needed, but you'd want to make sure you have plenty of 02 exchange before mixing meds

Maritimer · Jul 30, 2017

^ What she said!

She's a very smart lady.

~Bruce

melypr1985 · Jul 31, 2017

I agree with the diagnosis. Continue with the bifuran and honestly, I would add the other two meds ngoodermuth mentioned to that if it were me. Also, focus on getting him eating in the mean time. Add vitamins to his food for when he does start eating which will help boost his immune system more.

Shameless_Dood · Aug 1, 2017

Lost him last night. Bummer. But I had a feeling that was gonna happen. Had a glimmer of a hope yesterday he seemed to be moving around more. This batch of fish has been nothing but trouble.