Anxious Reefers?

[SaltyMomma]

Looking for some advice. About a month ago we added a copperband butterflyfish that developed what we assumed was lymphocystis (photos attached). About a week ago, our diamond goby, which we’d had for about six months, started breathing heavily and unfortunately died (video attached from before it passed).

Today, we noticed what appears to be an odd, stringy slime coating on our foxface. Other than that, all of the fish are eating well, swimming normally, and acting fine.

We’re trying to figure out if these events could be related or if we’re dealing with something going on in the tank. Has anyone experienced anything similar or have any thoughts on what we should be looking for?

 

[SaltyMomma]

 

[SaltyMomma]

 

[SaltyMomma]

Video today

 

[SaltyMomma]

Fox face today

 

[SaltyMomma]

 

[KrisReef]

@Jay Hemdal

Im on my phone, they goby was respiring rapidly, but I think the foxface is just showing typical stress discoloration, I had one that looked off/ ugly for years until it got settled in.

The copperband does have an issue?

 

[SaltyMomma]

@Jay Hemdal

Im on my phone, they goby was respiring rapidly, but I think the foxface is just showing typical stress discoloration, I had one that looked off/ ugly for years until it got settled in.

The copperband does have an issue?

The copperband had what we thought was lymph, we did lose him and then a few weeks later the goby covered his hole and did that. Three days later he died. Foxface looks fine he’s usually dark on top but the slime coat we noticed tonight. We thought the goby might have had an issue unrelated to the copperband but we’re panicked.

 

[KrisReef]

The copperband had what we thought was lymph, we did lose him and then a few weeks later the goby covered his hole and did that. Three days later he died. Foxface looks fine he’s usually dark on top but the slime coat we noticed tonight. We thought the goby might have had an issue unrelated to the copperband but we’re panicked.

Hopefully the masters of disease treatment will drop in.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

The goby’s fins are all chewed up, it’s being attacked.

 

[vetteguy53081]

 

[vetteguy53081]

I suspect water quality issue and how are you testing water?
Some of the fish are gasping and I see slime coat separation suggesting a bacterial issue and recommend treatment with seachem Neoplex along with Air stone added but do a 20% water change first

 

[SaltyMomma]

The goby’s fins are all chewed up, it’s being attacked.

We noticed that too, but there’s no one in the tank we could think of that would?

 

[SaltyMomma]

I suspect water quality issue and how are you testing water?
Some of the fish are gasping and I see slime coat separation suggesting a bacterial issue and recommend treatment with seachem Neoplex along with Air stone added but do a 20% water change first

We have test kits—Nitrites were slightly elevated, ammonia 0, nitrates are consistently higher.

 

[SaltyMomma]

I suspect water quality issue and how are you testing water?
Some of the fish are gasping and I see slime coat separation suggesting a bacterial issue and recommend treatment with seachem Neoplex along with Air stone added but do a 20% water change first

Gasping— do you mean the diamond or other fish?

 

[vetteguy53081]

We have test kits—Nitrites were slightly elevated, ammonia 0, nitrates are consistently higher.

What kit are you using? Disregard nitrites which are freshwater specific

 

[Gumbies R Us]

We have test kits—Nitrites were slightly elevated, ammonia 0, nitrates are consistently higher.

I’m guessing you’re using api? Ditch those kits and grab yourself some salifert and Hanna’s (or RedSea kits) those will produce more accurate numbers

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Looking for some advice. About a month ago we added a copperband butterflyfish that developed what we assumed was lymphocystis (photos attached). About a week ago, our diamond goby, which we’d had for about six months, started breathing heavily and unfortunately died (video attached from before it passed).

Today, we noticed what appears to be an odd, stringy slime coating on our foxface. Other than that, all of the fish are eating well, swimming normally, and acting fine.

We’re trying to figure out if these events could be related or if we’re dealing with something going on in the tank. Has anyone experienced anything similar or have any thoughts on what we should be looking for?

How are the fish this morning?

I don’t think this is a water quality issue - you’d be having issues with invertebrates if you did.

Did you see any mucus/slime on the goby before it died?

Rapid breathing and strings of mucus can indicate Brooklynella, a protozoan.

I saw a clownfish though, these are most commonly affected by Brooklynella, so if the clownfish is fine, it may not be that.

 

[MnFish1]

FWIW, the copper band butterfly did have lymphocystis, but that does not kill the fish. This suggests that that fish may have brought another illness into your tank (like Brooklynella). I can't tell from the blue videos what the fox face looks like (the slime issue you describe. Can you post a picture of it today in white light (if the slime issue is still present)?

PS - did you quarantine the copper band, and how did you do so if you did. Any other new items in the tank?