Lethargic, sick Yellow Tang

[MichaelReefer]

Good evening.

I have a 6-7 year old yellow tang who over the last two days has been sitting upright at the bottom, not eating and not swimming around. I removed him tonight to get some pics and was considering the clove oil worst case. When I netted him out he seemed to get a burst of energy but then sank to the bottom and sat upright. I see no visible wounds, spots, or skin problems. His gills appear to be fine? These are the best photos I could get. I would hate for him to suffer so just trying to figure out what my best option is since I cant really find anything wrong with him. He does seem a bit pale in the tank but color is much brighter out of the tank under white light. Appreciate the help.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Good evening.

I have a 6-7 year old yellow tang who over the last two days has been sitting upright at the bottom, not eating and not swimming around. I removed him tonight to get some pics and was considering the clove oil worst case. When I netted him out he seemed to get a burst of energy but then sank to the bottom and sat upright. I see no visible wounds, spots, or skin problems. His gills appear to be fine? These are the best photos I could get. I would hate for him to suffer so just trying to figure out what my best option is since I cant really find anything wrong with him. He does seem a bit pale in the tank but color is much brighter out of the tank under white light. Appreciate the help.

Need side pics and more info. Is fish breathing normal or rapid?
In addition, any redness on the body?
Again, need better pics and video under bright white light intensity would be even better.

 

[MichaelReefer]

Need side pics and more info. Is fish breathing normal or rapid?
In addition, any redness on the body?
Again, need better pics and video under bright white light intensity would be even better.

No red colouration. Yes slightly increased. Breathing rate. I don't know if I can get him out again. He's hiding from me now. He definitely looked good from the side. No spots or abrasions or signs of skin issues. No other fish in the tank are experiencing symptoms

 

[MichaelReefer]

No red colouration. Yes slightly increased. Breathing rate. I don't know if I can get him out again. He's hiding from me now. He definitely looked good from the side. No spots or abrasions or signs of skin issues. No other fish in the tank are experiencing symptom

s

Had to chase em out but got these. He let's me push him around with the scraper so definitely weak? He's normally the alpha of the tank and is normally very aggressive.

 

[MichaelReefer]

Sorry, this photo upload system is not working well on my phone.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Had to chase em out but got these. He let's me push him around with the scraper so definitely weak? He's normally the alpha of the tank and is normally very aggressive.

Fish is slightly thin and seems lethargic. On the fins, I see what may be bite marks. Any bumps on skin, sudden darting, and does fish react to movement?
Are eyes clear or hazy?

 

[MichaelReefer]

Fish is slightly thin and seems lethargic. On the fins, I see what may be bite marks. Any bumps on skin, sudden darting, and does fish react to movement?
Are eyes clear or hazy?

He is the alpha in the tank. Everyone else is very docile to him. No new additions in2 years (he attacks all new fish, i stopped adding fish. No deaths in 2 years). No bumps on skin. No darting. Eyes are clear. Doesn't seem to be reacting movement wise. He let me touch him with the scraper and didn't move.

 

[vetteguy53081]

He is the alpha in the tank. Everyone else is very docile to him. No new additions in2 years (he attacks all new fish, i stopped adding fish. No deaths in 2 years). No bumps on skin. No darting. Eyes are clear. Doesn't seem to be reacting movement wise. He let me touch him with the scraper and didn't move.

Im suspecting fish may be losing eye sight possibly due to impact injury or super-saturation

 

[MichaelReefer]

Im suspecting fish may be losing eye sight possibly due to impact injury or super-saturation

What is super saturation?

He did have an eye injury years ago. Treated with epsom salt and resolved in a week or so. One of his eyes got huge. Five years ago or so?

 

[MichaelReefer]

So based on what your saying would humanly putting him down be the best option?

 

[vetteguy53081]

So based on what your saying would humanly putting him down be the best option?

Assure first it is either blind and/or lethargic. Lets also get a second opinion

@Jay Hemdal

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

So based on what your saying would humanly putting him down be the best option?

I see some minor fin damage, but that isn't the cause of the issue, and if it is chronic, that may be related to HLLE.

I might be able to assess its condition better with a video.

If it doesn't appear to be suffering, you could wait a few days to see if it resolves (probably won't though).

Here is an article I wrote on fish euthanasia if you decide to go that route:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/fish-euthanasia.979258/

 

[MichaelReefer]

@Jay Hemdal

 

[MichaelReefer]

bump

 

[BryanM]

bump

You might have better luck posting that video to youtube and posting the YT link here.

I can see the video, but a lot of people on their phones won't be able to... weird issue.

And I'm not qualified to comment on your tangs health... Though I would definitely wait until Vetteguy and Jay can see the video before doing anything drastic.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

@Jay Hemdal

I can view the video. The fish is breathing normally, I don't see any indication of an external parasite infection. But I sort of get the impression that it is acting like it would "at night". That can be a sign of blindness. Does it react to you if you move around outside the tank, without touching it? A fish with normal sight will shy away from you if you wave your hands without bumping the tank.

 

[MichaelReefer]

I can view the video. The fish is breathing normally, I don't see any indication of an external parasite infection. But I sort of get the impression that it is acting like it would "at night". That can be a sign of blindness. Does it react to you if you move around outside the tank, without touching it? A fish with normal sight will shy away from you if you wave your hands without bumping the tank.

He has eye movement but normally if I get close he swims away. He does not seem to be reacting like he sees me. How could he just go blind like that?

 

[MichaelReefer]

He looked pretty bad so i put him down.

I may however have another problem. I came home and noticed what looks like a cluster of small white pustules on his nose area...no where else...very hard to see. I have added no fish in two years...is it possible he had ich? What do I do now? I have never had to deal with this before?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

He looked pretty bad so i put him down.

I may however have another problem. I came home and noticed what looks like a cluster of small white pustules on his nose area...no where else...very hard to see. I have added no fish in two years...is it possible he had ich? What do I do now? I have never had to deal with this before?

Sorry to hear. I think the things on the snout are post mortem, maybe from handling it.