Second opinion on autopsy

Rython · Jul 6, 2018

I received a trio of dispar anthias today and one was DOA. The markings on its body immediately made me think Uronema Marinum. The markings are pretty close to symmetrical on both sides of the body, both the striped bruises on the ribs and the bruise and lesion near the dorsal fin. The symmetry is unexpected, made me go looking to see if maybe those were normal markings on a different species. I don't know if the mouth position is significant or not. The freshwater dip test was negative.

I'm trying to get better at disease identification so I thought crowd sourcing this autopsy could help.

Thoughts?

Humblefish · Jul 6, 2018

If you can get a skin scrape, below is what uronema looks like under a microscope:

Rython · Jul 6, 2018

Thanks. I probably should get a microscope. Just too useful in this hobby not to have.

Here's a photo of what I assume is the same thing on one of the living anthias. Looks like the scales are raised.

Humblefish · Jul 6, 2018

It could be uronema, or a gram negative infection: https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/tank-terror-bacterial-infections-in-the-reef-tank.22/

Rython · Jul 6, 2018

Ok I think I know what to do. I'm going to do a 90 minute dip in Ruby Reef Rally and then start the trifecta. Either way that should treat the problem since Metro is effective against Uronema. I may also continue the RRR dip every other day for a while.

Thanks @Humblefish. I really appreciate your input.

Humblefish · Jul 6, 2018

I will also say this, most chromis I get that succumb to uronema have the open mouth thing postmortem.

Rython · Jul 6, 2018

Also very helpful. Thank you!

Humblefish · Jul 6, 2018

Like this:

Rython · Jul 8, 2018

Well the second Anthias has died. He made it just over two days into treatment. Ate a little yesterday, but i'm not surprised. He looked even more infected than the one that died in transit.

After he passed I also dipped him in tap water and he had flukes as well.

The third and final Anthias is still asymptomatic. However, I plan to continue the antibiotic treatment with a slight adjustment. Since today is 25% waterchange and re-dose day, instead of dosing Metroplex, i'm going to dose API General Cure. So General Cure + Kanaplex + Furan 2. I'm running the tank at 74 degrees, so I won't need to re-dose Praziquintanel for 9 more days - after I've concluded the antibiotics. So after today i'll switch back to Metroplex instead of the General Cure.

The fish is active and eating well after 2 days of treatment so i'm hopeful he can take it. Surely it's better than risking the proliferation of flukes and/or whatever killed the first two fish whether Uronema or a Gram Negative Infection.

Humblefish · Jul 8, 2018

Looks like either uronema or an infection to me.

Nopy117 · Jul 8, 2018

Sorry about your Anthias. :( Did you order these fish online?

Rython · Jul 8, 2018

Humblefish said:
Looks like either uronema or an infection to me.

Yeah I definitely don't think the "flukes" killed this fish. It's also entirely possible i'm mistaking 3 small scales that washed off for flukes. There weren't a lot of them and I didn't look under a microscope. Plus the first one didn't have any. So since the lone survivor not showing any symptoms i'm not going to do the general cure yet until the trifecta/acriflavine treatment is concluded. There's no reason for urgency.