Yellow tang has pop eye!

[nursebran]

DT 75 gallon/ fishless for almost 2 months
QT-20 gallon currently, 3 fish (left) ... yellow tang, clown, and a chromis.
I had a large fish loss/ approximately 30.
These are my lone survivors...
Presumed ich or velvet... I did 2 rounds of treatment/ copper
They did ok
Then, yellow tang started having spasms and rubbing against the pvc pipe... recommended treating for flukes.
Treated with prazipro / 1 round...
I thought everything was better. The yellow tang stopped the rubbing and twitching/spasm. Through everything... all 3 have always ate their food. Today, tang wouldn’t eat and noticed it’s hiding in 1 spot. Not, swimming back and forth, the length of the tank (like usual)... I thought it was acting weird, and noticed the eye bulging. It wasn’t like that yesterday. He seems to be breathing ok/normal.
The other 2 fish ... don’t have any signs/symptoms... appear unaffected.
? Treat with Prazipro, again?
? Can you dose erythromycin and prazipro at the same time?
? What should I do?
Note: LFS doesn’t have erythromycin. Can I order off Amazon (wait 2 days to get it?) or, should I make a trip to Atlanta / pet store (1 1/2 hour drive?) tomorrow? I’ll do whatever is best. I’ve tried really hard to keep my last 3 fish alive/through all these treatments and cure the DT, etc. How serious is this? How long do I have (to get the medicine?)
Please help.. thanks.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

DT 75 gallon/ fishless for almost 2 months
QT-20 gallon currently, 3 fish (left) ... yellow tang, clown, and a chromis.
I had a large fish loss/ approximately 30.
These are my lone survivors...
Presumed ich or velvet... I did 2 rounds of treatment/ copper
They did ok
Then, yellow tang started having spasms and rubbing against the pvc pipe... recommended treating for flukes.
Treated with prazipro / 1 round...
I thought everything was better. The yellow tang stopped the rubbing and twitching/spasm. Through everything... all 3 have always ate their food. Today, tang wouldn’t eat and noticed it’s hiding in 1 spot. Not, swimming back and forth, the length of the tank (like usual)... I thought it was acting weird, and noticed the eye bulging. It wasn’t like that yesterday. He seems to be breathing ok/normal.
The other 2 fish ... don’t have any signs/symptoms... appear unaffected.
? Treat with Prazipro, again?
? Can you dose erythromycin and prazipro at the same time?
? What should I do?
Note: LFS doesn’t have erythromycin. Can I order off Amazon (wait 2 days to get it?) or, should I make a trip to Atlanta / pet store (1 1/2 hour drive?) tomorrow? I’ll do whatever is best. I’ve tried really hard to keep my last 3 fish alive/through all these treatments and cure the DT, etc. How serious is this? How long do I have (to get the medicine?)
Please help.. thanks.

Prazipro needs to be dosed at least twice, I usually space it a week apart. Yes, you can dose it with erythromycin,
Can you post a picture of the tang under white light?
I would order the erythromycin now (maracyn 1) just to keep your options open.
Jay

 

[Biff0rz]

I just went through this (still am, with @Jay Hemdal's help). My gem tang is still having popeye but it's getting better. I am treating in qt with maracyn 1. If you have a petsmart nearby they carry it.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Maracyn 1 is the ticket.
Seems to be a lot of these cases lately.

 

[nursebran]

Prazipro needs to be dosed at least twice, I usually space it a week apart. Yes, you can dose it with erythromycin,
Can you post a picture of the tang under white light?
I would order the erythromycin now (maracyn 1) just to keep your options open.
Jay

Thank you, for responding. I did the Prazipro. I’ve ordered the maracyn. It’s the right eye, but I think it’s starting in the left, too. It’s not as bad, but it looks swollen/puffy looking from front. The only water parameter that’s a little off, is the specific gravity. It’s usually (dead on) 1.025.... it’s 1.024. I’ll keep you posted! Thanks, for your help!

 

[Biff0rz]

Thank you, for responding. I did the Prazipro. I’ve ordered the maracyn. It’s the right eye, but I think it’s starting in the left, too. It’s not as bad, but it looks swollen/puffy looking from front. The only water parameter that’s a little off, is the specific gravity. It’s usually (dead on) 1.025.... it’s 1.024. I’ll keep you posted! Thanks, for your help!

That looks like both to me! What I learned is 2 eyes = bacterial, fix it with maracyn. 1 eye = mechanical, fix it with nothing or maracyn to be safe. I am going down the 1 eye, fix anyway path.

 

[vetteguy53081]

One is generally scratch or injury
Both dictates possible bacterial issue. Maracyn is for bacterial.
In addition to treatment, water quality and diet plays an importance
Ammonia <. .03
Nitrate. < .03
Salinity 1.025
Ph 8.1 - 8.3
Temp. 77-79

recommended foods:
LRS herbivore diet
Mysis shrimp
Nori seaweed basted with garlic
Small plankton
Formula 2 flake and frozen
Spirulina brine shrimp

add garlic extract and selcon vitamins to the foods 2-3x per week

 

[nursebran]

I just went through this (still am, with @Jay Hemdal's help). My gem tang is still having popeye but it's getting better. I am treating in qt with maracyn 1. If you have a petsmart nearby they carry it.

Thank you! It’s nice to know that someone understands... people think we are really nuts, obsessing over a fish. But, I’m used to taking care of humans... These fish are keeping me from sleeping! Caring for them, seems to elude me! I’ve (definitely) learned a lot from my mistakes. But, it would really be nice to catch a break, for a change. Maybe, I am going crazy! At any rate... I’m trying and I refuse to give up. Hopefully, something works and in time to save it. I’ve ordered the med from Amazon. Our PetSmart didn’t have it, they were out (Columbus, Ga.) They offered to order it, but I thought I could get it faster with Amazon. My tang’s eye looks bad today. And, it’s staying in the same spot and not swimming much. It seems to be breathing normal, but something is way off. I’m worried, it might be more than just his eye. I did the Prazipro last night. I may should have waited.... but, I did a water change today. My QT got (unusually) dirty over the past 2 days. Maybe, due to uneaten food. But, my water parameters were all good. My specific gravity is usually 1.025. And, it was 1.024. So, I did the water change. I wish I had went and found the medicine, instead. Bad move/decision. Tomorrow, I’m going to Opelika, Ala./ to get it from their PetSmart. I called, and they have it. I plan, to start it, as soon as I can get home with it... I will repeat the Prazipro... in a few days, and repeat it. I’m going to ask Jay Hemdal before I redose. I know I (probably) messed up, by doing the water change. I hope everything goes well for your gem tang! It sounds like, it is getting better! There’s hope! I appreciate, his help. He really knows his stuff! Definitely, a pro at this! I plan to check in, with him, once I get the Maracyn. Keep us posted on your gem tang! Good luck!

 

[nursebran]

Maracyn 1 is the ticket.
Seems to be a lot of these cases lately.

Thank you... I’m getting it tomorrow! I hope so! (I hope I get it in time, to save it!) I’ll post, how it goes...

 

[Biff0rz]

Thank you! It’s nice to know that someone understands... people think we are really nuts, obsessing over a fish. But, I’m used to taking care of humans... These fish are keeping me from sleeping! Caring for them, seems to elude me! I’ve (definitely) learned a lot from my mistakes. But, it would really be nice to catch a break, for a change. Maybe, I am going crazy! At any rate... I’m trying and I refuse to give up. Hopefully, something works and in time to save it. I’ve ordered the med from Amazon. Our PetSmart didn’t have it, they were out (Columbus, Ga.) They offered to order it, but I thought I could get it faster with Amazon. My tang’s eye looks bad today. And, it’s staying in the same spot and not swimming much. It seems to be breathing normal, but something is way off. I’m worried, it might be more than just his eye. I did the Prazipro last night. I may should have waited.... but, I did a water change today. My QT got (unusually) dirty over the past 2 days. Maybe, due to uneaten food. But, my water parameters were all good. My specific gravity is usually 1.025. And, it was 1.024. So, I did the water change. I wish I had went and found the medicine, instead. Bad move/decision. Tomorrow, I’m going to Opelika, Ala./ to get it from their PetSmart. I called, and they have it. I plan, to start it, as soon as I can get home with it... I will repeat the Prazipro... in a few days, and repeat it. I’m going to ask Jay Hemdal before I redose. I know I (probably) messed up, by doing the water change. I hope everything goes well for your gem tang! It sounds like, it is getting better! There’s hope! I appreciate, his help. He really knows his stuff! Definitely, a pro at this! I plan to check in, with him, once I get the Maracyn. Keep us posted on your gem tang! Good luck!

She's all better now!

 

[vetteguy53081]

She's all better now!

Great job
Be sure to maintain goo
Water quality and diet

 

[Biff0rz]

Great job
Be sure to maintain goo
Water quality and diet

Yep, definitely am. I'm really not sure what would have caused the bad water quality of that was a thing. All params have been in check. I think the dinos played a part somehow.

 

[4FordFamily]

Prazipro needs to be dosed at least twice, I usually space it a week apart. Yes, you can dose it with erythromycin,
Can you post a picture of the tang under white light?
I would order the erythromycin now (maracyn 1) just to keep your options open.
Jay

Agree 100%

 

[nursebran]

She's all better now!

That’s awesome! Great news! It’s nice to hear and see something good. Beautiful fish! I got Maracyn 2. I’m going to ask Jay Hemdal 1st. They didn’t have Maracyn 1. I’m working on it

 

[nursebran]

Thank you, for responding. I did the Prazipro. I’ve ordered the maracyn. It’s the right eye, but I think it’s starting in the left, too. It’s not as bad, but it looks swollen/puffy looking from front. The only water parameter that’s a little off, is the specific gravity. It’s usually (dead on) 1.025.... it’s 1.024. I’ll keep you posted! Thanks, for your help!

I got Maracyn 2... after I made a special trip! Anyway, I have Maracyn 1 ordered from 3 different places. The closest to me is Kansas City, Missouri and I live in Georgia. So, that won’t work... Should I go ahead with Maracyn 2? Now? Or, wait for Maracyn 1? I noticed on chewy they have API erythromycin, amoxicillin, cipro, clindamycin... I know in humans amoxicillin/mycin family are broad spectrum antibiotics, cipro/ /Fluoroquinolone... I have no idea... but, same in fish? Anyway my ? What can I get and use the fastest? Would Amoxicillin work? My PetSmart has the API erythromycin, I’m going to get it now (it’s local)...
Which one can I start with? I’m stocking up... in case there is a next time. Wow! Getting an antibiotic for a human is much easier ! Thank you, for your help!

 

[Speaker]

Pretty sure the API will work. Maracyn is also erythromycin.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I got Maracyn 2... after I made a special trip! Anyway, I have Maracyn 1 ordered from 3 different places. The closest to me is Kansas City, Missouri and I live in Georgia. So, that won’t work... Should I go ahead with Maracyn 2? Now? Or, wait for Maracyn 1? I noticed on chewy they have API erythromycin, amoxicillin, cipro, clindamycin... I know in humans amoxicillin/mycin family are broad spectrum antibiotics, cipro/ /Fluoroquinolone... I have no idea... but, same in fish? Anyway my ? What can I get and use the fastest? Would Amoxicillin work? My PetSmart has the API erythromycin, I’m going to get it now (it’s local)...
Which one can I start with? I’m stocking up... in case there is a next time. Wow! Getting an antibiotic for a human is much easier ! Thank you, for your help!

API erythromycin should be the same as Maracyn 1. Maracyn 2 is Minocycline.

Jay

 

[nursebran]

Thank you, for responding. I did the Prazipro. I’ve ordered the maracyn. It’s the right eye, but I think it’s starting in the left, too. It’s not as bad, but it looks swollen/puffy looking from front. The only water parameter that’s a little off, is the specific gravity. It’s usually (dead on) 1.025.... it’s 1.024. I’ll keep you posted! Thanks, for your help!

I got Maracyn 2... after I made a special trip! Anyway, I have Maracyn 1 ordered from 3 different places. The closest to me is Kansas City, Missouri and I live in Georgia. So, that won’t work... Should I go ahead with Maracyn 2? Now? Or, wait for Maracyn 1? I noticed on chewy they have API erythromycin, amoxicillin, cipro, clindamycin... I know in humans amoxicillin/mycin family are broad spectrum antibiotics, cipro/ fluorquinp

API erythromycin should be the same as Maracyn 1. Maracyn 2 is Minocycline.

Jay

Finally, I got it! It’s done... Now, (anxiously) waiting and hoping for the best! Thank you, for your help. I appreciate the others that have contributed, too. I’m fairly new on R2R, and I’m not sure I’m doing this right. (Asking ?s, responding, forums, threads, etc.) I love R2R! I wish I knew about it, sooner. Before the problem, I would just read and try to learn stuff. It’s similar to caring for people....The more you learn, you realize, how much you don’t know. I guess that’s why .., you have to love this hobby! I really appreciate your help! I’ll keep updating... the progress (hopefully!) Thanks again!

 

[nursebran]

Prazipro needs to be dosed at least twice, I usually space it a week apart. Yes, you can dose it with erythromycin,
Can you post a picture of the tang under white light?
I would order the erythromycin now (maracyn 1) just to keep your options open.
Jay

Sorry, so late responding/updating... got sidetracked during the holidays. Thank you, Jay Hemdal. You saved my yellow tang, Mr. Bubbles! The Maracyn worked like a dream! I was going to post a pic a day or 2 after I started the treatment. The reason I didn’t: You couldn’t see anything! To say, it made the water “cloudy” is an understatement. For those who don’t know... it was a yellow cloud/ if milk was yellow... it was like cloudy, yellow milk. And, my yellow tang disappeared in the medicine. I wasn’t sure if it was helping or hurting. I was excited to do a water change, to see the results. Well, it acted like it did prior to the popeye, swimming/eating. Back to normal. As for the eye... the popeye was gone, the eye never fell out (like I read could happen.) But, I think he might be blind, in that eye. Or, it’s still healing. It looks better, like his old eye... but, shriveled/kinda’ like a scab, not cloudy.... if I’m being honest, it looks; dry like when tissue/body part/area is dying. Part of why I think he’s blind, on that side. The other reason I think that is because, I can stick my hand in the tank and he doesn’t swim away and hide. Before this, he was skittish and you couldn’t catch him. Now, I can clean (with my hand in the tank and he will swim into me/brush up against my hand.) Anyway, that’s been my experience. I believe the Maracyn saved him. He was very sick and barely moving. It was like he had the life sucked out of him, and had given up. So, it saved him. He’s perked up and seems happy... like before ... but, eyesight isn’t the same. He’s definitely, adjusted! Jay Hemdal, saved my yellow tang! Thank you! Great advice and it worked! And, who knows... maybe, he’ll get his eyesight back... he is still in the healing process. And, he seems happy/eating/swimming...as is. And, if Mr. Bubbles is happy, I’m happy! Thanks again, Jay Hemdal! I appreciate you and the advice!