Sick Tang

[BantyRooster97]

So a few days ago I noticed my chocolate tang wasn't eating. Thought maybe it was just something wrong that day, well it wasn't. It's been several days now and I haven't seen him eat. He's starting to get noticeably skinny and today I noticed a long stringy poop coming from him.

What could be wrong? How can I treat? Should I treat the whole tank?

I haven't added any new fish to this system in years. He seems to be the only one affected out of the other fish (bimac anthias, purple tang, regal angel, 2 clowns & 1 blue green chromis). I also have numerous corals, but nothing new in ages.

 

[Big G]

Internal parasites: Since it's not eating, place fish into a QT and dose with General Cure. 2 dose 5-7 days apart with a 25% water change before the second dose. Wait 5-7 days and do a water change and then observe. If necessary follow with:

Preferred to have the fish eat a mix of food + General Cure + Focus (binder) + a small dash of epsom salt (to help expell worms as they die).

Internal Issues

Internal Issues For simplicity’s sake, there are 6 basic problems a marine fish may experience on the inside: 1. Intestinal worms Symptoms: White stringy feces, pinched stomach, loss of color, fish eats voraciously but still seems to be losing weight. Treatment of choice: Praziquantel...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[BantyRooster97]

Thx, I was just reading that thread & now I'm headed to Petsmart for some general cure. I just hope I haven't waited too long.

 

[BantyRooster97]

I've set up a QT for him to treat him, should I treat the whole tank? Will the other fish have this too, even though they show no signs? How does this happen when I haven't added anything in ages?

 

[Big G]

Fish can carry internal worms/parasites for a long time. Some event could have weakened the fish and allowed the fish's immune system to also weaken and the worms/parasites advance. Sometimes a bacterial infection will set in from the damage done by the worms/parasites. Would be prudent to add an antibiotic to your med kit. Kanaplex or Furan2 work well and can be combined if needed.

As far as the other fish, well, fish eat fish poop. And that is where the worm eggs are expelled, in the poop.

 

[BantyRooster97]

So what do you think would be safe to treat the whole tank with? Have lots of SPS & nems. Typical clean up crew, star fish, urchins, and fish listed.

 

[Big G]

Prazipro is generally considered to be reef safe. Some, but not all, have commented that feather dusters were effected. And if you have bristleworms they could also die off and create quite water quality problem. Here's @Humblefish 's advisory for using a Praziquantel product:

Praziquantel

Praziquantel (de-wormer) What It Treats – Flukes (Monogeneans), Black Ich (Turbellarians), and intestinal worms. How To Treat – There are a few aquarium products which contain praziquantel: Prazipro, API General Cure and Thomas Labs Fish Tapes. Follow the dosing instructions for whatever...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Malifry97]

So what do you think would be safe to treat the whole tank with? Have lots of SPS & nems. Typical clean up crew, star fish, urchins, and fish listed.

No don’t treat the whole tank as I don’t think general cure is reef safe...I would QT all of them...unless you use prazipro...that’s safe

 

[Malifry97]

If you do use general cure, don’t dose tank, use it in food, then you should be A-OK