Achilles tang with some infection help identify

[dagrinch65]

I have an Achilles tang that's been in my display tank for 8+ months. I came home today and noticed the right side of his face had something very wrong. I've never seen anything like this before and was wondering if someone could help ID what the heck this is. I pulled him out of the display and have it in a 10 gal QT with some antibiotic powder to see if this will get him better. Any advise is appreciated.

 

[jetmaker]

Looks bad never seen that. Could it have been stung by something.

 

[dagrinch65]

I'm not sure. At this time he's in a QT tank but isn't looking good at all. Just keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[ZoaCollector]

Get some furazone and kanamycin on him. If it's gram negative bacteria that should help clear it up unless he's too far gone.

 

[Humblefish]

Get some furazone and kanamycin on him. If it's gram negative bacteria that should help clear it up unless he's too far gone.

+1 Furan-2 and Seachem Kanaplex are two readily available meds which contain these antibiotics. Also, if you can find it, add Seachem Metroplex or Metro-MS to the aforementioned combination. Just in case there's an anaerobic bacterial disease in play here.

If you can't find all 3 of the above, just start using whatever you can find. If you can't find any of them at all, look for Maracyn 1 & 2 or Maracyn Plus. You need to start using an antibiotic on him ASAP.

More info available here: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/bacterial-infections.191511/

 

[maroun.c]

Looks very skinny was it not eating fine? My Achilles developped a similar appearance at late stages of a flukes infestation. If u think it can handle a freshwater dip that might allow you to rule out flukes which can be the cause of the infection seen.

 

[4FordFamily]

Looks very skinny was it not eating fine? My Achilles developped a similar appearance at late stages of a flukes infestation. If u think it can handle a freshwater dip that might allow you to rule out flukes which can be the cause of the infection seen.

I would hold off on this for the time being. I agree that if it makes it and its condition improves that this may be a way to address flukes but I think with its current health this is a very risky move that will likely end in the fish's demise.

That does not look good.

The tang does look a bit thin which may not be helping any. Does he eat nori? These guys need daily access to Nori, and enough to make them fat as whales by the end of the day. They have very high metabolisms and need as much nutrition as possible.

 

[Humblefish]

@maroun.c Good suggestion! @3FordFamily I think it's worth the risk, as I do not see this fish living much longer without some prompt treatment. But I would keep the FW dip to 5 minutes or less! And take all necessary precautions (temp/pH match the water, aerate heavily beforehand, etc.)

Instructions for performing a FW dip below:

Freshwater Dip: Provides temporary relief for Brooklynella, Flukes, Marine Velvet disease (Amyloodinium); possibly even Ich & Uronema marinum (both unproven). Can be used to confirm the presence of Flukes.

How To Treat - Fill a bucket with RODI water, and use a heater to match the temperature to the water the fish is coming from. Aerate the water heavily for at least 30 minutes prior to doing the dip, then discontinue aeration while performing the dip. Fish aren’t overly pH sensitive for short durations like this, but you can squirt a little tank water into the dip just before the fish goes in to help bring it up.

Place the fish in the freshwater (FW) dip and observe closely. It is not unusual for them to freak out a little at first. Also, tangs are notorious for “playing dead” during a FW dip. The important thing is to watch their gills; they should be breathing heavily at all times during the dip. If breathing slows, it’s time to exit the dip. Dip the fish for no longer than 5 minutes. Multiple dips may be done, but it’s important to give your fish a day to recuperate in-between dips.

For flukes, use a dark (preferably black) bucket so you can see if tiny white worms fall out of the fish (especially out of the gills) at around the 3-4 minute mark. The worms will settle to the bottom, so you can use a flashlight to look for them there as well.

Pros - Provides temporary relief for a wide range of diseases in a chemical free environment. Can “buy you more time” until a proper treatment can be done.

Cons/Side Effects - Not a permanent “fix” for any disease, as FW dips are not potent enough to eradicate all of the parasites/worms afflicting the fish. Some fish can have an adverse reaction to a FW dip by appearing unable to maintain their equilibrium once returned to the aquarium. If this happens, hold the fish upright (using latex, nitrile or rubber gloves), and gently glide him through the water (to get saltwater flowing through the gills again). It is also a good idea to place the fish in an acclimation box until he appears “normal”.

 

[4FordFamily]

@maroun.c Good suggestion! @3FordFamily I think it's worth the risk, as I do not see this fish living much longer without some prompt treatment. But I would keep the FW dip to 5 minutes or less! And take all necessary precautions (temp/pH match the water, aerate heavily beforehand, etc.)

Instructions for performing a FW dip below:

Freshwater Dip: Provides temporary relief for Brooklynella, Flukes, Marine Velvet disease (Amyloodinium); possibly even Ich & Uronema marinum (both unproven). Can be used to confirm the presence of Flukes.

How To Treat - Fill a bucket with RODI water, and use a heater to match the temperature to the water the fish is coming from. Aerate the water heavily for at least 30 minutes prior to doing the dip, then discontinue aeration while performing the dip. Fish aren’t overly pH sensitive for short durations like this, but you can squirt a little tank water into the dip just before the fish goes in to help bring it up.

Place the fish in the freshwater (FW) dip and observe closely. It is not unusual for them to freak out a little at first. Also, tangs are notorious for “playing dead” during a FW dip. The important thing is to watch their gills; they should be breathing heavily at all times during the dip. If breathing slows, it’s time to exit the dip. Dip the fish for no longer than 5 minutes. Multiple dips may be done, but it’s important to give your fish a day to recuperate in-between dips.

For flukes, use a dark (preferably black) bucket so you can see if tiny white worms fall out of the fish (especially out of the gills) at around the 3-4 minute mark. The worms will settle to the bottom, so you can use a flashlight to look for them there as well.

Pros - Provides temporary relief for a wide range of diseases in a chemical free environment. Can “buy you more time” until a proper treatment can be done.

Cons/Side Effects - Not a permanent “fix” for any disease, as FW dips are not potent enough to eradicate all of the parasites/worms afflicting the fish. Some fish can have an adverse reaction to a FW dip by appearing unable to maintain their equilibrium once returned to the aquarium. If this happens, hold the fish upright (using latex, nitrile or rubber gloves), and gently glide him through the water (to get saltwater flowing through the gills again). It is also a good idea to place the fish in an acclimation box until he appears “normal”.

This man knows more than I, I defer to his judgement!

 

[dagrinch65]

I put some antibiotic powder made by seachem in the QT tanks last night. Noticed he's breathing very hard and fast today. I'm planning on pickup up some Cupramine to add in conjunction with the other med. is this a good idea? Or should I plan a freshwater dip? In regards to feeding I keep seaweed in the tank and feed pellets as well. He's typically all over both the food when I put it in the tank. I did notice that right before this took place he was looking thin and was watching his eating habits but again whenever food was present he was all over it. Really hoping he pulls thru. I know these are difficult fish to keep alive. Thank you all for the assistance

 

[maroun.c]

This man knows more than I, I defer to his judgement!

It is a tough call indeed and I'm not sure this fish will make it through a freshwater dip. But again believe it can offer a prompt relief that might help the fish. A difficult choice for the owner to decide on.
In case this fish dies and I hope it won't ,I would do a FW dip on it and observe the areas around the gills for flukes, the become opaque and visible after 4-5 min into the dip.
Good luck with it.

 

[dagrinch65]

Thank you all for the help. I'm about to take the rest of the day off from work to tend to this fish and hope he pulls thru.

 

[melypr1985]

Well it appears I'm late to this party! I hope all goes well with your fish. Please update us as to how he does with treatment. Good Luck!!

 

[dagrinch65]

He didn't make it. dang I'm so sad

 

[melypr1985]

He didn't make it. **** I'm so sad

I'm so sorry sweety. He was pretty advanced in his infection so the odds were low. But now you know what to do next time you see this (IF you see it again- hopefully you wont)

 

[Humblefish]

He didn't make it. **** I'm so sad

Sorry to hear. Did he die during the FW dip?

 

[dagrinch65]

He died before I was able to give the Fw dip a try. I did dip the fish afterwards and didn't see anything come off its body. I decided to leave it in the water for a while being that it was already dead and after about 30 mins most of its body turned white.

 

[Humblefish]

He died before I was able to give the Fw dip a try. I did dip the fish afterwards and didn't see anything come off its body. I decided to leave it in the water for a while being that it was already dead and after about 30 mins most of its body turned white.

It was likely an aggressive gram negative bacterial infection. Very difficult to treat. Again, sorry for your loss.

 

[melypr1985]

He died before I was able to give the Fw dip a try. I did dip the fish afterwards and didn't see anything come off its body. I decided to leave it in the water for a while being that it was already dead and after about 30 mins most of its body turned white.

Yes, that's a terrible shame. I'm very sorry for your loss.

 

[maroun.c]

Sorry for your loss. They are amazing fish so understand the frustration of losing it.