Unknown problem killing fish

[Chad Jones]

Something has been killing my fish and I suspect its disease or a parasite of some sort. I've attached a picture of a kole tang, which is still alive but I fear not for long. The only thing every fish that died had in common was torn lips.

 

[Malifry97]

Could be flukes, flukes sometimes attacks mouth

 

[Chad Jones]

That's what I suspected too but i haven't seen any on them.

 

[Malifry97]

That's what I suspected too but i haven't seen any on them.

Huh. Try a FW dip and see if you see anything also @HotRocks #reefsquad

 

[hdsoftail1065]

Interesting, as Malifry97 said it could be flukes. Have you noticed any thing out of the ordinary with the fish? Flashing, hiding, swimming near the surface, hiding in the corners or behind the rocks? I was just reading one of Humblefish's threads and he points out that the Neobenedenia prefers the face, lips and eyes. Let's get some eyes on it. #reefsquad

 

[Crabs McJones]

It's not lookin good. You said it's killing your fish fast? Almost looks like it could be velvet.

 

[Flippers4pups]

if it's Neobenedenia, you should be able to see the worms. They are 3-6mm as a adult. Irritation from them would cause "flashing" as with Ich.

I would agree that it could be velvet.

 

[Big G]

The tang probably has velvet and the "mouth rot" is a secondary bacterial infection. The best antibiotic for treating mouth infections is Triple Sulfa (aka Sulfa Plex). Sorry for your losses.

 

[Chad Jones]

Yea it sucks but I'm trying to not get too down. The fishes behavior before any lip rot was pretty normal behavior, granted I'm not home for most of the day. But while I was home they swam around fine and ate normally. The tang is currently laying on the substrate, still breathing and every now and then will give a kick and move along the bottom. I will scoop him up and inspect him again later. Just letting him try to live without me stressing him out even more.

 

[Baileyshouse]

Something has been killing my fish and I suspect its disease or a parasite of some sort. I've attached a picture of a kole tang, which is still alive but I fear not for long. The only thing every fish that died had in common was torn lips.

Looks like velvet to me

 

[Chad Jones]

I will also say that the fish have been dying one by one over several weeks. They didnt die all at once.

 

[Baileyshouse]

I will also say that the fish have been dying one by one over several weeks. They didnt die all at once.

Yeah that changes everything, might not be velvet then

 

[LAReefer4Life]

Definitely dealing with secondary bacterial infection/mouth rot from parasite... looks like velvet and possibly flukes.

I know the deaths you experienced (sorry for your loss BTW) have been staggered but depending on each fishes immune system velvet can take each fish periodically.

Do you have QT? Copper?

 

[Big G]

I will also say that the fish have been dying one by one over several weeks. They didnt die all at once.

Velvet doesn't always wipe out a tank all at once. Depending on the growth of parasite numbers, each fish's immune system, the progress of the parasites can vary from a total quick complete wipe out to a slow one by one as each fish succumbs.

 

[Chad Jones]

I do not have qt or copper medicine. I did just receive hikari prazipro parasite treatment and dr Tim's first defense. The only thing left in the tank now 4 black damsels, 1 wraisse, 4 anemones, 1 clownfish, and a spiny lobster. The fish that have already died are several tangs, 3 clowns, a panther grouper.

 

[Chad Jones]

The tang didnt make it but I uploaded some more photos of him after he passed. I'm not sure what to look for, does it still seem like its velvet? I dont see any little white flukes.

 

[LAReefer4Life]

Sorry! You could still dip the fish and see if any flukes come off the skin before you discard the body.

 

[LAReefer4Life]

Still think its something more severe most likely velvet by the pictures you posted prior.

 

[Chad Jones]

I will leave him in some freshwater to see if i see anything. It's always rough losing a fish but I have been in the hobby long enough to know that sometimes things go wrong. I appreciate all the help as well. My next question is what should i do with the current tank? I am no expert on fish diseases but how should i treat the water? Does velvet or flukes continue to live in the water? There are currently a few fish still in the tank but not many.

 

[LAReefer4Life]

Yes they have life cycles that can only be disrupted by removing all fish. I suggest run your display fallow for 76 days just to be sure you eradicate all parasites including ich from the equation. You will need to grab a QT and meds if you want to save your current fish and get your fallow period going sooner than later.