Sick royal grama

[gabesreef]

So I’ve had this grama for like 2 weeks he spent most of that time hiding in the rocks which I heard was normal for this kind of fish. But yesterday he started flashing on the rocks and he wouldn’t come out for food. Anyways today I found him just laying on the sand bed breathing heavy no signs of ich from what I can see. Any ideas as to what happened to him? Did he just stave himself? Did he have an internal parasite?

 

[gabesreef]

btw that thing on his head is a piece of mysis shrimp.

 

[gabesreef]

*starve*

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

The tail is chewed up indicating it was bullied.

 

[gabesreef]

The tail is chewed up indicating it was bullied.

Hmm maybe I only have like 2 clown fish and a small tang in my 130g tank right now. I haven’t really seen to much aggression from the clown fish but he has been known to be a bully

 

[W31Olds]

He looks rough which is a clear indication of Flukes. Grammas and other Basslets are susceptible to them. Hard to tell from the side if he's thin, but not likely starvation.

 

[Marine Betta]

So I’ve had this grama for like 2 weeks he spent most of that time hiding in the rocks which I heard was normal for this kind of fish. But yesterday he started flashing on the rocks and he wouldn’t come out for food. Anyways today I found him just laying on the sand bed breathing heavy no signs of ich from what I can see. Any ideas as to what happened to him? Did he just stave himself? Did he have an internal parasite?

Looks and sounds like flukes, and I believe I can see some in the picture. A 3-5 minute FW would confirm if it’s flukes or not, but you will need prazipro to actually treat. Is this your display tank? An internal parasite is possible, but fish with flukes often have suppressed appetites.

 

[gabesreef]

Yeah it was in my DT I have 3 other fish in there right now and they seem to be fine…. Should I do anything else? The grama is in the toilet RIP :/

 

[W31Olds]

What species of Tang do you have? They are a good barometer for Flukes. Typical behavior is scratching, flashing, ragged fins but appetite usually unaffected. Since the Gramma was inconclusive, I would monitor your others right now and order a bottle of Prazipro in case you need it.

 

[gabesreef]

Right now is just a small sailfin tang okay will do

 

[W31Olds]

Got it. I'll ping Jay to see if he has anything to add.
@Jay Hemdal

 

[gabesreef]

Do you think I should just dose the prazipro just in case? Nothing else is showing any signs that I can see… from what I’ve read it seems to be reef safe?

 

[gabesreef]

I only have the 3 fish in there right now the small sailfin and the two clown fish but I’m expecting more fish in about a week….

 

[W31Olds]

Since your Gramma died and there is no clear diagnosis and your other fish seem fine, I would probably hold off for a day or two. You have other fish coming in next week so I would also consider a QT Tank and get Coppersafe. Where are they coming from and are they pre-QT'd?

 

[gabesreef]

Since your Gramma died and there is no clear diagnosis and your other fish seem fine, I would probably hold off for a day or two. You have other fish coming in next week so I would also consider a QT Tank and get Coppersafe. Where are they coming from and are they pre-QT'd?

They are coming from my LFS they are currently going through a two week quarantine will be ready this weekend. Some tangs, a flame angle and a Midas blenny

 

[Jay Hemdal]

Got it. I'll ping Jay to see if he has anything to add.
@Jay Hemdal

It does seem like flukes.