Sick Emperor Angel

[ReefKeeperElite]

After completing my tank move a few weeks ago, which included my Emperor Angel below, he has been hiding in the rock work. This past week he started coming out, but is not looking very good. I've seen a million pictures, but no definitive answers on whether this is stress related, or if he may have picked up some parasite. Salinity 35ppt, temp 78, ph 8.25, alk 8.88, ca 424, mg 1415, mild flow. No other fish showing similar signs. So I'm guessing stress related and wait a while longer, but wanted to check with you experts, in case it may be something else, and should expedite action. I didn't want to perform a FWD yet, because if it's not a parasite, I didn't want to add to his stress and make it worse. TIA for your thoughts.

 

[Big G]

How's the fish's breathing? Is it eating? Have you seen its poo?

 

[ReefKeeperElite]

He is breathing normally, but has become a very timid eater. He used to eat pieces of krill readily, but now kinds of sniffs at it, then leaves it. He nibbles at some of the nori clipped to the tank. When I come in to feed him, he seems excited to eat, but quickly loses interest. I haven't seen his poo. I did notice a bit of a head twitch a couple times.

 

[Big G]

He is breathing normally, but has become a very timid eater. He used to eat pieces of krill readily, but now kinds of sniffs at it, then leaves it. He nibbles at some of the nori clipped to the tank. When I come in to feed him, he seems excited to eat, but quickly loses interest. I haven't seen his poo. I did notice a bit of a head twitch a couple times.

Anything new added to the tank after the move that is "wet"? Like fish, corals, inverts, sand/rock?

 

[ReefKeeperElite]

No, it was just a straight move from the old tank to the new.

 

[Big G]

No, it was just a straight move from the old tank to the new.

So then it's most likely stress related then. But the twitching could be flukes. A freshwater dip would confirm or eliminate flukes as a possible cause.

Boosting the fish's immune system with vitamins added to its food can help too.

 

[JumboShrimp]

Keep us posted!! I’m sure you are very attached to that beautiful fish.

 

[ReefKeeperElite]

Thank you guys, I'll definitely keep you posted. And yes, I feel bad and am very attached to him. I've had him since he was a baby. Here's a picture from May 2019.

 

[ReefKeeperElite]

I was able to get a few more pics, and noticed his eyes seem cloudy, and have many tiny specs on them. I've provided some pics below, but they don't show a lot of detail on the specs. Advice on what this may be? Or just keep monitoring?

 

[Big G]

The specs on the eyes could be flukes or other parasites like Ich/velvet. The freshwater dip will help determine if this is a problem.

 

[Wen]

How’s your Emperor doing today? Did you have a chance to fwd?

 

[ReefKeeperElite]

He seems about the same. Although he has been more active, and not just hiding under the rocks. He is still just nibbling. I will snap some more pics on Friday.

 

[lakai]

poor guy, Hope he gets better soon.

 

[ReefKeeperElite]

Not the picture we had hoped for, but I snapped this pic yesterday, next to where he likes to hide. So he has intestinal parasites. Also, I've also seen the same discoloration on my six-banded angel fish.

Performed a large water change last night, and will be starting a 3-dose Prazipro regimen today, each dose 5 days apart, separated by a 20% WC. It is the first time I've had to do this, so if you have any other suggestions please let me know.

 

[Big G]

Prazi treats some internal parasites. Often a good course of action to add metro to treat the other parasites that Prazi is less effective upon. Can feed metro if it's eating mixed with food and it's more effective going directly to the gut. General Cure + food + Focus makes a very effective treatment and can be fed in the display tank as long as small feedings and a turkey baster to remove uneaten food mix is used.

 

[ReefKeeperElite]

Prazi treats some internal parasites. Often a good course of action to add metro to treat the other parasites that Prazi is less effective upon. Can feed metro if it's eating mixed with food and it's more effective going directly to the gut. General Cure + food + Focus makes a very effective treatment and can be fed in the display tank as long as small feedings and a turkey baster to remove uneaten food mix is used.

Thank you! Just to be clear, you're talking about two different products (shown below), right?
Also, can the Metroplex be done during the same 5 day dose as prazipro?

I'll see if my LFS has Focus, that seems like it may provide more immediate help to the fish while waiting for the Prazipro/Metro to do its thing.

 

[cancun]

Hi! I just saw this post. How is your Emporer doing today? Have you started treatment? I just lost my large sub adult Emporer I had for a long time to something similar. I hope yours pulls through. Keeping my fingers crossed!

 

[Cory]

What is your nitrate level?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Appears to be flukes but to eliminate that possibility, give it a freshwater dip and return to tank. Look at bottom of bucket after dip for what looks like small sesame seeds. That will be flukes.
When transferring fish to the new tank, did you acclimate it as you would with a new fish?
Not doing so may cause these issues

 

[ReefKeeperElite]

Hi! I just saw this post. How is your Emporer doing today? Have you started treatment? I just lost my large sub adult Emporer I had for a long time to something similar. I hope yours pulls through. Keeping my fingers crossed!

Thanks. He is just turning the corner to adulthood just like yours. Maybe there is something about this stage where they are more susceptible to disease, I have no idea. I started the first Prazi treatment (1 of 3) last Friday, so it is going on 3 days now. I also have fed some chopped krill and mysis, soaked in metro/focus per Big G's suggestion. He still doesn't eat much. I believe the Prazi suppresses the appetite though. He is swimming around the tank more, which I'm hoping is a good sign.