Velvet?

[cbcigar]

Below I have copied and pasted the troubles i have been having the last couple months for reference, however I am now thinking my tank has a bad velvet outbreak. Attached is a image of the only fish that has survived so far. Can someone confirm?

"Hi everyone,

Somewhat of a newbie. Had Salt water aquariums as a kid with my dad, but its been a long time since owning one. I have a 25 gal IM lagoon that has been thriving for 8 months. Amazing coral growth , fish doing great. Never really an issue.

My issue is my 40 gal fish only tank. I set this up beginning of April with two large pieces of rock (not cycled) Let it cycle for 3 weeks. added fish slowly, off to the races. Things were great. No issues. I decided I wanted to make a rock wall and added about 20 lbs of caribsea 3rd week into May. I added without cycling it (I know now that was a mistake) after a couple days aquarium clouded up then cleared up after a week. About the 1st week in June, all fish were dead one morning. ( 5 fish - Clowns, an angel, dotty back, damsel) This was strange, as they looked great the night before, eating and everything. Checked standard parameters, all looked good. I coughed this up to possibly the rock causing some water parameter spikes so I let cycle the rest of June adding Stability once a week. Come July 1st. Checked standard parameters, all looked good. Added a couple clowns on the 29th . Swimming and eating great for a week. Added an angel fish, and a dottyback. on the 5th went home from work last night, All dead but one clown who currently does not look good. They ate and looked great the night before. I have no idea what the heck is going on. This is almost identical from the last die off. To cover all basis and provide all the information, the night before they all died I did top off the tank with fresh RODI. About 3/4 of a gallon. I use the same water in my reef tank. Two possibilities that have come to my mind, purhaps a to much of a salinity drop to quick? This is only about a 2% water add. Or possibly the PH is dropping to hard with adding to much of the RODI PH in the tank typically hangs around 7.8. Is there any other possibilities I might be missing? I am getting ready to just drain the dang thing and start over. Maybe thats the route to take? Change the substrate and not use the rock? I am lost what to do.

Salinity 1.023 - I use Instant ocean reef crystals (tank is fish only)
Have done 10% water changes every other week.
Temp 79
Dkh 9.8
Nitrates 10-15ppm
Nitrites 0ppm
ammonia 0 - .25 ppm was .25 checking it last night. I use API test kit"

 

[vetteguy53081]

Below I have copied and pasted the troubles i have been having the last couple months for reference, however I am now thinking my tank has a bad velvet outbreak. Attached is a image of the only fish that has survived so far. Can someone confirm?

"Hi everyone,

Somewhat of a newbie. Had Salt water aquariums as a kid with my dad, but its been a long time since owning one. I have a 25 gal IM lagoon that has been thriving for 8 months. Amazing coral growth , fish doing great. Never really an issue.

My issue is my 40 gal fish only tank. I set this up beginning of April with two large pieces of rock (not cycled) Let it cycle for 3 weeks. added fish slowly, off to the races. Things were great. No issues. I decided I wanted to make a rock wall and added about 20 lbs of caribsea 3rd week into May. I added without cycling it (I know now that was a mistake) after a couple days aquarium clouded up then cleared up after a week. About the 1st week in June, all fish were dead one morning. ( 5 fish - Clowns, an angel, dotty back, damsel) This was strange, as they looked great the night before, eating and everything. Checked standard parameters, all looked good. I coughed this up to possibly the rock causing some water parameter spikes so I let cycle the rest of June adding Stability once a week. Come July 1st. Checked standard parameters, all looked good. Added a couple clowns on the 29th . Swimming and eating great for a week. Added an angel fish, and a dottyback. on the 5th went home from work last night, All dead but one clown who currently does not look good. They ate and looked great the night before. I have no idea what the heck is going on. This is almost identical from the last die off. To cover all basis and provide all the information, the night before they all died I did top off the tank with fresh RODI. About 3/4 of a gallon. I use the same water in my reef tank. Two possibilities that have come to my mind, purhaps a to much of a salinity drop to quick? This is only about a 2% water add. Or possibly the PH is dropping to hard with adding to much of the RODI PH in the tank typically hangs around 7.8. Is there any other possibilities I might be missing? I am getting ready to just drain the dang thing and start over. Maybe thats the route to take? Change the substrate and not use the rock? I am lost what to do.

Salinity 1.023 - I use Instant ocean reef crystals (tank is fish only)
Have done 10% water changes every other week.
Temp 79
Dkh 9.8
Nitrates 10-15ppm
Nitrites 0ppm
ammonia 0 - .25 ppm was .25 checking it last night. I use API test kit"

this is advanced ich in lieu of velvet. With velvet, fish will scratch body against hard objects, lethargic behavior, Loss of appetite and weight loss, Rapid, labored breathing, Fins clamped against the body, and typically stay at the surface of the water, or remain in a position where a steady flow of water is present in the aquarium.
Ich always shows spots at first. Velvet is a gill disease and doesnt stop fish from eating, but will cause fish to breath really fast.
You will need to place fish in a Quarantine tank and treat with Coppersafe or Copper Power at therapeutic level 2.25 for a FULL 30 days (do not interrupt this 30 day period) monitored by a reliable Copper Test kit such as Hanna Brand- No API brand. Also monitor Ammonia levels while in quarantine with a reliable test kit and add aeration during treatment using an air stone.
The display tank will have to be kept fishless (FALLOW) for 6-8 weeks to assure the existing parasites go through their life cycle without a host fish and die off and with occupants exposed, they too should go into quarantine
A quarantine tank can be as simple as a tank from a second hand store or a starter kit from Walmart which most of the needed essentials.

 

[cbcigar]

Below I have copied and pasted the troubles i have been having the last couple months for reference, however I am now thinking my tank has a bad velvet outbreak. Attached is a image of the only fish that has survived so far. Can someone confirm?

"Hi everyone,

Somewhat of a newbie. Had Salt water aquariums as a kid with my dad, but its been a long time since owning one. I have a 25 gal IM lagoon that has been thriving for 8 months. Amazing coral growth , fish doing great. Never really an issue.

My issue is my 40 gal fish only tank. I set this up beginning of April with two large pieces of rock (not cycled) Let it cycle for 3 weeks. added fish slowly, off to the races. Things were great. No issues. I decided I wanted to make a rock wall and added about 20 lbs of caribsea 3rd week into May. I added without cycling it (I know now that was a mistake) after a couple days aquarium clouded up then cleared up after a week. About the 1st week in June, all fish were dead one morning. ( 5 fish - Clowns, an angel, dotty back, damsel) This was strange, as they looked great the night before, eating and everything. Checked standard parameters, all looked good. I coughed this up to possibly the rock causing some water parameter spikes so I let cycle the rest of June adding Stability once a week. Come July 1st. Checked standard parameters, all looked good. Added a couple clowns on the 29th . Swimming and eating great for a week. Added an angel fish, and a dottyback. on the 5th went home from work last night, All dead but one clown who currently does not look good. They ate and looked great the night before. I have no idea what the heck is going on. This is almost identical from the last die off. To cover all basis and provide all the information, the night before they all died I did top off the tank with fresh RODI. About 3/4 of a gallon. I use the same water in my reef tank. Two possibilities that have come to my mind, purhaps a to much of a salinity drop to quick? This is only about a 2% water add. Or possibly the PH is dropping to hard with adding to much of the RODI PH in the tank typically hangs around 7.8. Is there any other possibilities I might be missing? I am getting ready to just drain the dang thing and start over. Maybe thats the route to take? Change the substrate and not use the rock? I am lost what to do.

Salinity 1.023 - I use Instant ocean reef crystals (tank is fish only)
Have done 10% water changes every other week.
Temp 79
Dkh 9.8
Nitrates 10-15ppm
Nitrites 0ppm
ammonia 0 - .25 ppm was .25 checking it last night. I use API test kit"

this is advanced ich in lieu of velvet. With velvet, fish will scratch body against hard objects, lethargic behavior, Loss of appetite and weight loss, Rapid, labored breathing, Fins clamped against the body, and typically stay at the surface of the water, or remain in a position where a steady flow of water is present in the aquarium.
Ich always shows spots at first. Velvet is a gill disease and doesnt stop fish from eating, but will cause fish to breath really fast.
You will need to place fish in a Quarantine tank and treat with Coppersafe or Copper Power at therapeutic level 2.25 for a FULL 30 days (do not interrupt this 30 day period) monitored by a reliable Copper Test kit such as Hanna Brand- No API brand. Also monitor Ammonia levels while in quarantine with a reliable test kit and add aeration during treatment using an air stone.
The display tank will have to be kept fishless (FALLOW) for 6-8 weeks to assure the existing parasites go through their life cycle without a host fish and die off and with occupants exposed, they too should go into quarantine
A quarantine tank can be as simple as a tank from a second hand store or a starter kit from Walmart which most of the needed essentials.

Should hermits and snails be removed from the display as well or are they ok?

 

[LPSfanatic]

Don’t look good. If you have consistent die off maybe your water is not the best quality or something in it that fish can’t handle. I would take this system a part and scrub everything with bleach, dispose of all rocks and sand and just start over. Salinity is kind of low I run mine at 1025 no issues any kind. Also please get the UV-C water sterilizer that will help with parasites and bacteria. I run mine 24/7. Also make sure you don’t have temperature swings try to keep em at 79-80. As far as your clown I would put him into a 5 gallon bucket or tank if you have one and run ICH-X with air stone. If you want him saved. Make new water and just keep him there till he looks better. But definitely bleach out the whole system tank filters heaters etc. but first save the fish you am still have if he is still ok. You have some kind of bacteria or something in the system that’s keep on killing your livestock. Good luck.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Should hermits and snails be removed from the display as well or are they ok?

Inverts and coral can remain in the display..... Treat fish in a separate tank or container and do not take tank apart, raise temp and all mentioned

 

[cbcigar]

Should hermits and snails be removed from the display as well or are they ok?

Inverts and coral can remain in the display..... Treat fish in a separate tank or container and do not take tank apart, raise temp and all mentioned

Appreciate the help. I have a 5 gal Ill set up for the little guy now. So.. no fish till lets say October.. would that be a good plan?

Breaking down the tank does seem a bit extreme. Appreciate the more realistic approach.

 

[Ebob954]

Below I have copied and pasted the troubles i have been having the last couple months for reference, however I am now thinking my tank has a bad velvet outbreak. Attached is a image of the only fish that has survived so far. Can someone confirm?

"Hi everyone,

Somewhat of a newbie. Had Salt water aquariums as a kid with my dad, but its been a long time since owning one. I have a 25 gal IM lagoon that has been thriving for 8 months. Amazing coral growth , fish doing great. Never really an issue.

My issue is my 40 gal fish only tank. I set this up beginning of April with two large pieces of rock (not cycled) Let it cycle for 3 weeks. added fish slowly, off to the races. Things were great. No issues. I decided I wanted to make a rock wall and added about 20 lbs of caribsea 3rd week into May. I added without cycling it (I know now that was a mistake) after a couple days aquarium clouded up then cleared up after a week. About the 1st week in June, all fish were dead one morning. ( 5 fish - Clowns, an angel, dotty back, damsel) This was strange, as they looked great the night before, eating and everything. Checked standard parameters, all looked good. I coughed this up to possibly the rock causing some water parameter spikes so I let cycle the rest of June adding Stability once a week. Come July 1st. Checked standard parameters, all looked good. Added a couple clowns on the 29th . Swimming and eating great for a week. Added an angel fish, and a dottyback. on the 5th went home from work last night, All dead but one clown who currently does not look good. They ate and looked great the night before. I have no idea what the heck is going on. This is almost identical from the last die off. To cover all basis and provide all the information, the night before they all died I did top off the tank with fresh RODI. About 3/4 of a gallon. I use the same water in my reef tank. Two possibilities that have come to my mind, purhaps a to much of a salinity drop to quick? This is only about a 2% water add. Or possibly the PH is dropping to hard with adding to much of the RODI PH in the tank typically hangs around 7.8. Is there any other possibilities I might be missing? I am getting ready to just drain the dang thing and start over. Maybe thats the route to take? Change the substrate and not use the rock? I am lost what to do.

Salinity 1.023 - I use Instant ocean reef crystals (tank is fish only)
Have done 10% water changes every other week.
Temp 79
Dkh 9.8
Nitrates 10-15ppm
Nitrites 0ppm
ammonia 0 - .25 ppm was .25 checking it last night. I use API test kit"

This looks like ich

 

[vetteguy53081]

This looks like ich

We established this. Read posts before making one

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Below I have copied and pasted the troubles i have been having the last couple months for reference, however I am now thinking my tank has a bad velvet outbreak. Attached is a image of the only fish that has survived so far. Can someone confirm?

"Hi everyone,

Somewhat of a newbie. Had Salt water aquariums as a kid with my dad, but its been a long time since owning one. I have a 25 gal IM lagoon that has been thriving for 8 months. Amazing coral growth , fish doing great. Never really an issue.

My issue is my 40 gal fish only tank. I set this up beginning of April with two large pieces of rock (not cycled) Let it cycle for 3 weeks. added fish slowly, off to the races. Things were great. No issues. I decided I wanted to make a rock wall and added about 20 lbs of caribsea 3rd week into May. I added without cycling it (I know now that was a mistake) after a couple days aquarium clouded up then cleared up after a week. About the 1st week in June, all fish were dead one morning. ( 5 fish - Clowns, an angel, dotty back, damsel) This was strange, as they looked great the night before, eating and everything. Checked standard parameters, all looked good. I coughed this up to possibly the rock causing some water parameter spikes so I let cycle the rest of June adding Stability once a week. Come July 1st. Checked standard parameters, all looked good. Added a couple clowns on the 29th . Swimming and eating great for a week. Added an angel fish, and a dottyback. on the 5th went home from work last night, All dead but one clown who currently does not look good. They ate and looked great the night before. I have no idea what the heck is going on. This is almost identical from the last die off. To cover all basis and provide all the information, the night before they all died I did top off the tank with fresh RODI. About 3/4 of a gallon. I use the same water in my reef tank. Two possibilities that have come to my mind, purhaps a to much of a salinity drop to quick? This is only about a 2% water add. Or possibly the PH is dropping to hard with adding to much of the RODI PH in the tank typically hangs around 7.8. Is there any other possibilities I might be missing? I am getting ready to just drain the dang thing and start over. Maybe thats the route to take? Change the substrate and not use the rock? I am lost what to do.

Salinity 1.023 - I use Instant ocean reef crystals (tank is fish only)
Have done 10% water changes every other week.
Temp 79
Dkh 9.8
Nitrates 10-15ppm
Nitrites 0ppm
ammonia 0 - .25 ppm was .25 checking it last night. I use API test kit"

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

Sorry to hear anot your losses. I agree, this is probably ich, but the spots are pretty small and the fish dying overnight could be velvet. Were the fish breathing fast before they died?

In any event, copper works for both diseases.

Going forward, I would urge you to consider quarantine of any new fish:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/current-quarantine-protocol.825055/

 

[cbcigar]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

Sorry to hear anot your losses. I agree, this is probably ich, but the spots are pretty small and the fish dying overnight could be velvet. Were the fish breathing fast before they died?

In any event, copper works for both diseases.

Going forward, I would urge you to consider quarantine of any new fish:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/current-quarantine-protocol.825055/

Thanks for the welcome. It definitely sucks as I killed 10 fish before I figured out what was going on. Disappointed in myself.

@vetteguy53081 and @Jay Hemdal Sadly the clown passed overnight. I would assume the stress of moving him to QT was to much or purhaps he was to far. He would twitch and erratically swim for a couple seconds before swimming normally, as if he had some sort of nuro issue. I filled a 5 gal with fresh salt water using the same RODI I use for my other tanks. stayed up late to make sure temp and salinity matched but he was dead this morning. I had a feeling this might happen as he did not look good.

I did witnessed several fish gasping and breathing very hard before dying. The angel fish that I had, had these "skin or scale flaps" popping out of its eyes shortly before it died.

I have been researching QT tanks all morning. Definitely setting one up. Wish I had researched for QT before jumping into this. My LFS never mentioned it much either. Just drip acclimation.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Thanks for the welcome. It definitely sucks as I killed 10 fish before I figured out what was going on. Disappointed in myself.

@vetteguy53081 and @Jay Hemdal Sadly the clown passed overnight. I would assume the stress of moving him to QT was to much or purhaps he was to far. He would twitch and erratically swim for a couple seconds before swimming normally, as if he had some sort of nuro issue. I filled a 5 gal with fresh salt water using the same RODI I use for my other tanks. stayed up late to make sure temp and salinity matched but he was dead this morning. I had a feeling this might happen as he did not look good.

I did witnessed several fish gasping and breathing very hard before dying. The angel fish that I had, had these "skin or scale flaps" popping out of its eyes shortly before it died.

I have been researching QT tanks all morning. Definitely setting one up. Wish I had researched for QT before jumping into this. My LFS never mentioned it much either. Just drip acclimation.

The stress of moving somewhat but as mentioned, this fish was quite beat up and was at point of being moribund. Moving forward, the female will have to be the only clown in the tank OR you might need to get rid of it and star with a new pair. If you do, seek Tank raised versus wild caught clowns. They are stable and less prone to brooklynella disease