Sick Orange Shoulder tang

[mrbluepo]

Hi my orange shoulder tang appears sick. Attached is a photo. It is super weak and looks like it’s going to die. Any idea what maybe causing this? This comes a week after my powder brown died suddenly.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hi my orange shoulder tang appears sick. Attached is a photo. It is super weak and looks like it’s going to die. Any idea what maybe causing this? This comes a week after my powder brown died suddenly.

Sorry to see as fish is moribund and likely not to make it. There can be a number of factors but often can be:
Immature/newer tank subject to ammonia spikes and chemistry changes
Improper acclimation/introduction
Gill flukes
Velvet disease
Low dissolved oxygen

Flukes and velvets - you will see loss of appetite and heavy breathing, swimming at surface, listless behavior and other unusual signs.
Would need a little history as to what you have noticed to be unusual.

 

[mrbluepo]

Sorry to see as fish is moribund and likely not to make it. There can be a number of factors but often can be:
Immature/newer tank subject to ammonia spikes and chemistry changes
Improper acclimation/introduction
Gill flukes
Velvet disease
Low dissolved oxygen

Flukes and velvets - you will see loss of appetite and heavy breathing, swimming at surface, listless behavior and other unusual signs.
Would need a little history as to what you have noticed to be unusual.

Hi thanks for your reply. It has been in an established tank of 6 years with normal chemistry. The tang has been in this tank for 3 months so far without issue until a yesterday. I noticed yesterday that it was hiding more than usual and also itching itself against the sand. And today it stopped eating.

 

[Jay Hemdal]

Hi thanks for your reply. It has been in an established tank of 6 years with normal chemistry. The tang has been in this tank for 3 months so far without issue until a yesterday. I noticed yesterday that it was hiding more than usual and also itching itself against the sand. And today it stopped eating.

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

Your powder brown dying and this fish being moribund could well be related. More history is needed to try to work through that though. This post explains all that:

Some Helpful Hints When Posting or Responding to Threads in the Fish Disease Treatment and Diagnosis Section

Aquarium Fish Disease Problem Solving Determining the best course of action for a problem with your aquarium can be a difficult task. Even advanced aquarists will often need to seek the help of others for complicated or unique issues. Our intent here on Reef 2 Reef is to offer expert advice...

www.reef2reef.com

Specifically, how long did you have the powder brown?
What other fish are in the tank now?

From the information at hand, I would say that the tank has skin or gill flukes. the timing and the scratching all add up. Flukes don't kill fish suddenly, but the symptoms they cause are pretty subtle and easily missed; rapid breathing, scratching and pale coloration.

Jay

 

[mrbluepo]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

Your powder brown dying and this fish being moribund could well be related. More history is needed to try to work through that though. This post explains all that:

Some Helpful Hints When Posting or Responding to Threads in the Fish Disease Treatment and Diagnosis Section

Aquarium Fish Disease Problem Solving Determining the best course of action for a problem with your aquarium can be a difficult task. Even advanced aquarists will often need to seek the help of others for complicated or unique issues. Our intent here on Reef 2 Reef is to offer expert advice...

www.reef2reef.com

Specifically, how long did you have the powder brown?
What other fish are in the tank now?

From the information at hand, I would say that the tank has skin or gill flukes. the timing and the scratching all add up. Flukes don't kill fish suddenly, but the symptoms they cause are pretty subtle and easily missed; rapid breathing, scratching and pale coloration.

Jay

Ive had the powder brown only for a week before it started to exhibit symptoms and died the day after. Currently there are 2 common clowns, a yellow tail damsel, a Talbot damsel and a red lined angelfish. Would it be good to treat the entire tank with prazigold?

 

[Jay Hemdal]

Ive had the powder brown only for a week before it started to exhibit symptoms and died the day after. Currently there are 2 common clowns, a yellow tail damsel, a Talbot damsel and a red lined angelfish. Would it be good to treat the entire tank with prazigold?

Yes, that would be a good idea. I would dose according to the label directions, but add some extra aeration, and space the two treatments out at 8 days apart.

jay

 

[mrbluepo]

Yes, that would be a good idea. I would dose according to the label directions, but add some extra aeration, and space the two treatments out at 8 days apart.

jay

Okay thanks so much for your help!