Yellow Tang Suddenly Sick!

ReefGrammie · Feb 9, 2020

I'm very distressed about my yellow tang! I've had the fish in my 90-gallon tank for 6+ years. He was acting perfectly normal, eating fine, pooping fine, etc. until yesterday evening. I noticed he was staying in his cave and didn't come out at feeding time, which is very unusual.

This morning, he's staying towards the bottom of the tank and not moving much. I noticed some thin, brown poop (definitely not white) that seems stuck. He definitely seems stressed. I have a QT, but it is not operational at the moment because I haven't added any fish in several months. There are no visible outward signs of disease. All of the other fish seem fine.

What should I do? I was thinking of setting up the QT today, but I don''t know what I'd medicate with. Could he have an obstruction or even be constipated? I offered an algae clip this morning, which normally he would immediately attack. He swam around it, but didn't touch it.

lolmatt · Feb 9, 2020

Gill flukes are often called the silent killer. I had a tang with similar symptoms that I treated successfully by dosing prazipro in my reef. Did not have any coral or invert losses.

vetteguy53081 · Feb 9, 2020

Set up QT in case its needed.
Several factors that may have caused this. . . . . .
- Water quality has changed
- nori can or may clog up intestines
- age
- stray voltage
- beginning of velvet
- Any paints or aerosols used the last few days that were near tank?

ReefGrammie · Feb 9, 2020

Thank you for the replies!

lolmatt said:
Gill flukes are often called the silent killer. I had a tang with similar symptoms that I treated successfully by dosing prazipro in my reef. Did not have any coral or invert losses.

Good to know. I will check with my LFS when they open. I used to have Prazipro on hand, but it's been a few years.

vetteguy53081 said:
Set up QT in case its needed.
Several factors that may have caused this. . . . . .
- Water quality has changed
- nori can or may clog up intestines
- age
- stray voltage
- beginning of velvet
- Any paints or aerosols used the last few days that were near tank?

I'll set up the QT today. Parameters are stable. I didn't know that about nori! I considered age, but I thought it was odd that it happened so suddenly. I have a ground probe (I think that's what you call it) and none of the other fish seem bothered. I guess I need to consider velvet...any other suggestions there? I don't allow anything to be sprayed in the same room as my tank.

Big G · Feb 9, 2020

ReefGrammie said:
I'm very distressed about my yellow tang! I've had the fish in my 90-gallon tank for 6+ years. He was acting perfectly normal, eating fine, pooping fine, etc. until yesterday evening. I noticed he was staying in his cave and didn't come out at feeding time, which is very unusual.

This morning, he's staying towards the bottom of the tank and not moving much. I noticed some thin, brown poop (definitely not white) that seems stuck. He definitely seems stressed. I have a QT, but it is not operational at the moment because I haven't added any fish in several months. There are no visible outward signs of disease. All of the other fish seem fine.

What should I do? I was thinking of setting up the QT today, but I don''t know what I'd medicate with. Could he have an obstruction or even be constipated? I offered an algae clip this morning, which normally he would immediately attack. He swam around it, but didn't touch it.

If the tang is indeed "backed up" and needs to poop, you can dose the display tank with plain USP epsom salts. 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons of tank water. Can re dose one more time if needed.

ReefGrammie · Feb 9, 2020

Tank has been dosed with Prazipro. Skimmer and UV sterilizer are off, per instructions. Thankfully, the LFS had it. They also suggested it based on "intestinal symptoms" before I mentioned the brand name. Tang is still hanging low in the corner. I guess all I can do is wait now.

lolmatt · Feb 9, 2020

FWIW, I actually prefer to leave the skimmer on, but remove the collection cup, so you still aerate your water nicely.

Mical · Feb 9, 2020

You can also dose PraziPro via your ATO. That will cut back/down skimmer overflow.

Katrina71 · Feb 9, 2020

Fingers crossed for your little guy.

DarkSky · Feb 9, 2020

If he is stopped up, feed peas and dose some epsom salt, as suggested earlier.

I wouldn't have dosed prazi until I confirmed he had flukes. Maybe give him a quick freshwater bath.

hans4811 · Feb 10, 2020

DarkSky said:
If he is stopped up, feed peas and dose some epsom salt, as suggested earlier.

I wouldn't have dosed prazi until I confirmed he had flukes. Maybe give him a quick freshwater bath.

Hope it comes out alright...stressful times I know !

ReefGrammie · Feb 10, 2020

lolmatt said:
FWIW, I actually prefer to leave the skimmer on, but remove the collection cup, so you still aerate your water nicely.

Ok, thanks. I turned the skimmer back out and removed the collection cup. Should I leave the filter sock on or take it out for now?

ReefGrammie · Feb 10, 2020

Thanks for all of the comments, suggestions, and words of encouragement. The tang is still alive. I had serious doubts last night. He still seems "disoriented" and is breathing heavily, but seems slightly less stressed today. Yesterday, his dorsal fin was spiked up all day. All of the other fish are still acting normally. He still wouldn't eat, but he did go towards the food earlier. I may try feeding again later today.

lolmatt · Feb 10, 2020

ReefGrammie said:
Ok, thanks. I turned the skimmer back out and removed the collection cup. Should I leave the filter sock on or take it out for now?

No need for any special treatment of the sock. However you'd normally handle is fine.

ReefGrammie · Feb 11, 2020

The tang didn't make it. He was a great fish and a favorite for over 6 years.

Thanks to everyone who tried to help.

Katrina71 · Feb 11, 2020

ReefGrammie said:
The tang didn't make it. He was a great fish and a favorite for over 6 years. Thanks to everyone who tried to help.

I'm so very sorry

ReefGrammie · Feb 11, 2020

Katrina71 said:
I'm so very sorry

Thank you. I've had fish losses over the last 11 years and they all make me very sad, but this is the first one to actually bring me to tears. He was special.

Katrina71 · Feb 11, 2020

ReefGrammie said:
Thank you. I've had fish losses over the last 11 years and they all make me very sad, but this is the first one to actually bring me to tears. He was special.

I'm sure he knew that. It sounds like he might have been spoiled too