Clownfish Disease ID

[Lockyn]

Hi all,I’m new here on R2R (Kinda,made an account but never really posted anything)

Best guess would be Uronema or a bacterial infection but currently unsure. Pinkish colouration on the head and along the length of the body. Not visible without a flashlight. Eating well,no clamped fins but slightly faster-than-normal breathing rate.

Tank is about 4 years old,with a good mix of both LPS and SPS,and no aggressive tankmates.

Currently stumped and I’d appreciate it if anyone could chime in on possible treatments :)

Ammonia: 0 ppm

Nitrite: 0 ppm

Nitrate: 5ppm

PH: 8.3

SG: 1.023

 

[Reefahholic]

Sounds exactly like Uronema on a Clown. It typical starts out with a pinkish discoloration. When it progresses it continues to get worse and the fish will have marked mucus on the body and fins. I've noticed some will develop the vertical classic red lesion like you would see on a Chromis, but most others only seem to exhibit severe pink discoloration. In the end stages I've observed equilibrium issues with Clownfish that you typically wouldn't see with Chromis. I believe this is because Clownfish are stronger and try to fight it off, but have trouble swimming correctly. Chromis normally become very labored with their breathing and end up on the bottom where they will often be seen laying on their side breathing 100x a minute just before they expire. Clownfish will have so much mucus that if FW dipped....the bubbles in the FW dip will stick to the body.

 

[Lockyn]

Any advice on how to proceed with treatment?
Thanks for your input :)

 

[Reefahholic]

Any advice on how to proceed with treatment?
Thanks for your input :)

*If in a QT * Treat the water column with Metroplex 2 scoops per 10 gallons and get them eating Metroplex soaked food. If not in a QT...Get them eating food soaked with Metroplex and use a binder like Seachem Focus.

 

[Frtdrmrose7]

Unfortunately if it is Uronema and it’s in your DT you will need to basically take it down and sterilize everything before starting over(if you have live rock etc). This is a real b**** of an parasite. Uronema is a free living parasite that doesn’t require a host to survive. I wish you the best of luck.

 

[Reefahholic]

Unfortunately if it is Uronema and it’s in your DT you will need to basically take it down and sterilize everything before starting over(if you have live rock etc). This is a real b**** of an parasite. Uronema is a free living parasite that doesn’t require a host to survive. I wish you the best of luck.

Yep, there's no way to completely rid the system of it unless you drain in dry and let everything dry out. Or bleach everything.

Personally, i would not do that unless you absolutely need to. If you feed the metroplex without success and continue to have a lot of fish deaths then I would consider it.

Uronema tends to target the weak individuals and typically leaves the others alone in most situations. So make sure you feed Selcon with the metroplex to help boost the immune system.

 

[Lockyn]

Thanks guys,have transferred her to my QT and I have done as advised,will continue to update on her progress :)

Fingers crossed that I won’t have to take down my DT

 

[Reefahholic]

Thanks guys,have transferred her to my QT and I have done as advised,will continue to update on her progress :)

Fingers crossed that I won’t have to take down my DT

I wouldn't unless you experience death after death. Otherwise I'd try to live with it and keep the fish healthy and fed. Good luck and please keep us updated.

 

[Lockyn]

Hi all,sadly she passed away at night,thanks for all your help :(

 

[Fastpitch]

Sounds exactly like Uronema on a Clown. It typical starts out with a pinkish discoloration. When it progresses it continues to get worse and the fish will have marked mucus on the body and fins. I've noticed some will develop the vertical classic red lesion like you would see on a Chromis, but most others only seem to exhibit severe pink discoloration. In the end stages I've observed equilibrium issues with Clownfish that you typically wouldn't see with Chromis. I believe this is because Clownfish are stronger and try to fight it off, but have trouble swimming correctly. Chromis normally become very labored with their breathing and end up on the bottom where they will often be seen laying on their side breathing 100x a minute just before they expire. Clownfish will have so much mucus that if FW dipped....the bubbles in the FW dip will stick to the body.

OP - Sorry for your loss. :(

My Chromis hung out in the airstone just before they bit the dust.;Dead