Velvet?

[dtruitt]

This guy was looking unwell at the store. Brought him home on the cheap try and save him.

His fins are pretty frayed up, he seems weak and I've seen a few white dots on the fins and even a couple on his eyes.

I'd almost say he looks velvety, but Desjardini tangs have that velvety grey and gold coloration naturally.

No head twitching that I've seen, not swimming into flow, doesnt seem sensitive to light.

 

[ReefHog]

Give him a 5 minute freshwater dip and check for flukes. See below for treatment options.

Treatment Options Index

This thread contains links to useful treatment options. Please click on the blue links below for more info. :) Treatment Options 102 provides a brief rundown of most medications & treatments. Acriflavine is a first aid antiseptic. Antibiotics treats bacterial infections. Chloroquine...

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[DeniseAndy]

What are you using as qt system? Also, is it eating? What meds do you have on hand? I know how I would approach this, but would need more info.

 

[dtruitt]

What are you using as qt system? Also, is it eating? What meds do you have on hand? I know how I would approach this, but would need more info.

Using a 29g tank as a QT. I have prazipro on hand. Plan is FW dip and possibly H2O2 for temporary relief until I get CP if Velvet. Hyposalinity if ich.

 

[dtruitt]

What are you using as qt system? Also, is it eating? What meds do you have on hand? I know how I would approach this, but would need more info.

He has been nipping. Not taking meaty foods or nori, but he seems interested in picking at algae.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Doing a close-up, I see what looks like flukes. Agree on a freshwater dip to start. After removing tang (3 mins or so), look at bottom of bucket and see if you see what looks like mini sesame seeds. If so, flukes were the issue.
If not, time to attempt treatment preferably is a QT tank.
I know your intention on rescuing fish but also be known if it is velvet which it can be, Certain steps will need to be taken.
Using a quarantine tank using Chloroquine phosphate or Copper. A 5 minute freshwater dip, and 90 minute acriflavine bath or formalin bath( formailin almost impossible to find right now) can provide temporary relief before the fish enters quarantine. Once velvet is detected, treatment should begin ASAP.
You will need to do what is called a fallow (fishless) period in your main tank to starve velvet out of a Display Tank or a period of 6 weeks.

 

[dtruitt]

Doing a close-up, I see what looks like flukes. Agree on a freshwater dip to start. After removing tang (3 mins or so), look at bottom of bucket and see if you see what looks like mini sesame seeds. If so, flukes were the issue.
If not, time to attempt treatment preferably is a QT tank.
I know your intention on rescuing fish but also be known if it is velvet which it can be, Certain steps will need to be taken.
Using a quarantine tank using Chloroquine phosphate or Copper. A 5 minute freshwater dip, and 90 minute acriflavine bath or formalin bath( formailin almost impossible to find right now) can provide temporary relief before the fish enters quarantine. Once velvet is detected, treatment should begin ASAP.
You will need to do what is called a fallow (fishless) period in your main tank to starve velvet out of a Display Tank or a period of 6 weeks.

I'm prepping the FW dip now. We will find out soon enough.

 

[dtruitt]

Doing a close-up, I see what looks like flukes. Agree on a freshwater dip to start. After removing tang (3 mins or so), look at bottom of bucket and see if you see what looks like mini sesame seeds. If so, flukes were the issue.
If not, time to attempt treatment preferably is a QT tank.
I know your intention on rescuing fish but also be known if it is velvet which it can be, Certain steps will need to be taken.
Using a quarantine tank using Chloroquine phosphate or Copper. A 5 minute freshwater dip, and 90 minute acriflavine bath or formalin bath( formailin almost impossible to find right now) can provide temporary relief before the fish enters quarantine. Once velvet is detected, treatment should begin ASAP.
You will need to do what is called a fallow (fishless) period in your main tank to starve velvet out of a Display Tank or a period of 6 weeks.

Pics of FW dip attached. I dont know if I would describe it as sesame seeds, but the dip definitely loosened a good number of small white parasites.

 

[dtruitt]

Any thoughts on result of FW dip and steps forward?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Any thoughts on result of FW dip and steps forward?

Likely those were flukes which would be great news.
- Can you get a close and clear pic of what fell off?
- Does fish seem to have the spots you saw originally ?

 

[dtruitt]

Likely those were flukes which would be great news.
- Can you get a close and clear pic of what fell off?
- Does fish seem to have the spots you saw originally ?

Some spots are gone. I dont see the spots on the eyes anymore.

Behavior has me a little concerned now though. He is sulking under a rock as opposed to wandering around like he was before.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Some spots are gone. I dont see the spots on the eyes anymore.

Behavior has me a little concerned now though. He is sulking under a rock as opposed to wandering around like he was before.

After FW dip, not unusual. Lower white lights and increase blue to keep fish relaxed and increase oxygen if you can.
Feed brine shrimp later and add garlic if you can as an enticer to eat. Assure it eats. If eating, will be ok. Keep eye out for those dots assuring they don't increase. You can do another FW dip tomorrow if its doing well

 

[dtruitt]

After FW dip, not unusual. Lower white lights and increase blue to keep fish relaxed and increase oxygen if you can.
Feed brine shrimp later and add garlic if you can as an enticer to eat. Assure it eats. If eating, will be ok. Keep eye out for those dots assuring they don't increase. You can do another FW dip tomorrow if its doing well

This is the best I could do for a close up with my phone.

Im not running any lights on QT, just ambient.

 

[DeniseAndy]

Looks like you are on the right track, so continue as stated. If you use CP, be aware of the decrease in appetite, so make sure he is eating and lots of options of food.

 

[dtruitt]

Looks like you are on the right track, so continue as stated. If you use CP, be aware of the decrease in appetite, so make sure he is eating and lots of options of food.

He nibbled a bit at some reef frenzy. I'll drop some nori in when I see him out some more.

 

[dtruitt]

Looks like you are on the right track, so continue as stated. If you use CP, be aware of the decrease in appetite, so make sure he is eating and lots of options of food.

You're a reef2reef user whose opinion I hold in high esteem. In your opinion, how much should I be worried about velvet coinciding with apparent flukes in this case?

 

[DeniseAndy]

Thank you for that. I do treat my fish in qt. I do not just monitor. The method I found best for my fish depends on the fish itself.

So, me, I would proceed as follows.
If the fish is eating consistently and not showing terrible signs of velvet/brook I begin an antibiotic treatment. I use the Triple cure from Everything Aquatics. I do a full 10 day treatment. Then I will use formalin over 6 days (1ml/10g dosed every other day - 3 times). Then I observe and feed a medicated food with parasite control (same company). I will use prazipro if they hate the food, but so far fish have eaten it fine. After about 1 week, no issues, they are done with qt.

Now, the last round of fish, I used CP in the 60mg/gallon dose for 14days, then the parasite control food/prazipro. The fish were healthier than the batch I got and treated with antibiotics first. I worry about the lack of appetite in sick fish with CP.

Now, I do give acriflavin baths when they first arrive (not sure if this has had any effect, but no harm either).

I have never used copper and probably never will. I know others do just fine, I never wanted to deal with it.

For your fish, I would follow the bacteria treatment first then deal with the next CP/Formalin/Reef Rally type meds. The reason is I do not see any indication in the pictures of a critical issue (covered in ich or velvet or sores). The fish will get its immune system up to par and hopefully felling better on the meds. Then, you can hit them with a more invasive med.

I have really liked the Everything Aquatics meds. I have used the triple cure powder and flake food. I have the anti-parasite flake and even the CP flake. I have the acriflavin for baths from them and the CP (when it was available). They make the meds after you order, so they have a long shelf life. Takes longer to get meds, but I like that they are made when requested.
Formalin I got on amazon ( 37% UPC lab grade formaldehyde ) and it is very short lived. It is not effective after 6 months. Keep an eye on that.

I hope that makes sense. I wish you the best on this rescue.

 

[DeniseAndy]

Note, if you begin seeing the tell tale signs of velvet or ich, I would move to the CP or formalin. I think Reef Rally is something people use that contains formaldehyde. Although, not the concentrations really needed. Just maybe treat longer.
Oh, I also use Prime in conjunction with the meds. Keeps qt ammonia down. I just dose by badge level.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Eating is good. Nori is good, but get him to eat actual nutrition based such as mysis, LRS herbivore or even spirulina brine again with garlic extract. Dip again tomorrow. If spots are not gone, consider Quarantine. You can also use formadehyde diluted to 35% solution as a method of Formalin.