Anthias dying.

[jstew600]

In my 120 reef tank I had 1 Lyretail anthias female, coral beauty,2 false perc clowns and diamond watchman goby. All has been good. The anthias has been there for a month. 4 days ago I added 3 more female anthias. 2 days ago I find one dead no marks or anything. The next day they all ate and a couple hours later I found another one dead. The anthias have been constantly staying with the cleaner shrimp and he has been picking bits of their pectoral fins. Fins look tattered now due to this. I see no spots of any kind on any fish. No one is breathing hard or hiding. But the anthias are constantly with the cleaner. Is this a parasite?

 

[Reefing Madness]

 

[Humblefish]

If this is from a disease (without obvious visible symptoms), there are three possibilities:

1) Parasites in the gills
2) Flukes (i.e. worms) in the gills

If enough of either invade the gills, it can basically suffocate a fish to death from excessive fluid buildup. However, you should be noticing labored breathing before the fish dies, if this is the case.

3) Bacterial disease of some sort - Usually has very visible symptoms on the skin, however an "internal" infection is always possible.