Poorly Naso, Powder Brown & Hippo Tang Diagnosis

[nelliereef]

Hi, my 3 tangs health has rapidly deteriorated over the last week. I'm wondering if people here can help diagnose them and offer some advice on recovery. It looks like ich to me but I'm no expert. It started a few weeks after adding the Hippo.

Sorry for the potato quality, it's the best I could do. The photos actually make it look a lot worse than it looks in person, it has made me realise they're in a much worse state than I realised.

 

[Jay Hemdal]

The pictures aren't super clear (it would be better if the lights were whiter). Are the fish still eating and not breathing fast? If so, I would rule out velvet and consider that this is marine ich. Some of the spots are a little dark for ich, so there could be flukes, or it could just be the blue lights.

At this point, your options are pretty limited. I see a moderately high number of spots on the fish, that means that a technique know as "in place ich management" isn't likely going to work. You'll need to pull all of the fish and house them in a suitable treatment tank and medicate them with copper and then praziquantel (in case there are flukes).

That process is outlined here:

Current Quarantine Protocol

2023 Quarantine Procedures Jay Hemdal David Scarborough Protozoans (Cryptocaryon/ich, Amyloodinium/velvet) and Metazoan trematodes/flukes are by far the most common parasites found on newly acquired fish. A carefully managed quarantine process can effectively eliminate these parasites before...

www.reef2reef.com

Jay

 

[vetteguy53081]

I see dots over the eyes and on the powder blue tang and appears to be ich. You will need to place fish in Quarantine tank and treat with Coppersafe or Copper Power at therapeutic level 2.25-2.5 For a FULL 30 days (do not interrupt this 30 day period) monitored by a reliable Copper Test kit such as Hanna Brand- No API brand. Also monitor Ammonia levels while in quarantine with a reliable test kit and add aeration during treatment using an air stone.
The display tank will have to be kept fishless (FALLOW) for 6-8 weeks to assure the existing parasites go through their life cycle without a host fish and die off
A quarantine tank can be as simple as a starter kit from Walmart which most of the needed essentials.

 

[nelliereef]

The pictures aren't super clear (it would be better if the lights were whiter). Are the fish still eating and not breathing fast? If so, I would rule out velvet and consider that this is marine ich. Some of the spots are a little dark for ich, so there could be flukes, or it could just be the blue lights.

At this point, your options are pretty limited. I see a moderately high number of spots on the fish, that means that a technique know as "in place ich management" isn't likely going to work. You'll need to pull all of the fish and house them in a suitable treatment tank and medicate them with copper and then praziquantel (in case there are flukes).

That process is outlined here:

Current Quarantine Protocol

2023 Quarantine Procedures Jay Hemdal David Scarborough Protozoans (Cryptocaryon/ich, Amyloodinium/velvet) and Metazoan trematodes/flukes are by far the most common parasites found on newly acquired fish. A carefully managed quarantine process can effectively eliminate these parasites before...

www.reef2reef.com

Jay

I changed to white lights and it looks so much worse again. Poor Tangs! They are eating plenty and breathing normally. I noticed today the hippo tang rubbing against a rock.

Thanks for the advice, it is much appreciated.

 

[nelliereef]

I see dots over the eyes and on the powder blue tang and appears to be ich. You will need to place fish in Quarantine tank and treat with Coppersafe or Copper Power at therapeutic level 2.25-2.5 For a FULL 30 days (do not interrupt this 30 day period) monitored by a reliable Copper Test kit such as Hanna Brand- No API brand. Also monitor Ammonia levels while in quarantine with a reliable test kit and add aeration during treatment using an air stone.
The display tank will have to be kept fishless (FALLOW) for 6-8 weeks to assure the existing parasites go through their life cycle without a host fish and die off
A quarantine tank can be as simple as a starter kit from Walmart which most of the needed essentials.

I have a 15 gallon quarantine tank. I have 3 medium-small tangs, 3 small clownfish, 1 medium wrasse, 1 small goby. Would you advise me getting more tanks, or will they be okay in the 15 gal for quarantine?

Appreciate the advice, thank you. I have test kits & copper arriving on monday.

 

[blecki]

Those fish in a 15 gallon tank are going to be incredibly cramped and stressed. Stress is the last thing you want while the fish are sick. 75 gallons minimum, but even a cheap 40 gallon from petco or something off facebook would be better than the 15.

 

[cdnco2004]

Yeah go grab a 40Breeder at Petco they are on sale right now for $59.

 

[nelliereef]

Those fish in a 15 gallon tank are going to be incredibly cramped and stressed. Stress is the last thing you want while the fish are sick. 75 gallons minimum, but even a cheap 40 gallon from petco or something off facebook would be better than the 15.

Yeah go grab a 40Breeder at Petco they are on sale right now for $59.

Thanks for the comments, I have 2 300 liter tubs that I used for when I moved my tank (540liter main tank). I will repurpose those for quarintine.

 

[cdnco2004]

Thanks for the comments, I have 2 300 liter tubs that I used for when I moved my tank (540liter main tank). I will repurpose those for quarintine.

Yeah tubs will work just won't be easy to see them from clear side view. In tubs you can only see top down. Good luck. It's not hard if you follow Jay and Vetguy's advice. They are two of the best.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I have a 15 gallon quarantine tank. I have 3 medium-small tangs, 3 small clownfish, 1 medium wrasse, 1 small goby. Would you advise me getting more tanks, or will they be okay in the 15 gal for quarantine?

Appreciate the advice, thank you. I have test kits & copper arriving on monday.

At least a 40breeder tank will suffice. If another tank, at least a 29 gallons and 15 for smaller ones like the clowns. Tub will work also.