What is wrong with my black tip shark?

[grace97412]

This shark arrived with black spots on its skin. Initially the shark seems fine. Two days later, the its skin begin to show discoloration and more black spots appeared. Attempted to dose the shark with 50 grams of sodium nifurstyrenate (100mg per 1g) in 3000 L tank. Also tried to feed the shark, but it doesn’t want to eat even if it is loosing weight. Doesn’t seem to work, so I changed out the water …. I posted photos of the shark and the medicine that I used to dose the shark. If possible, can anyone identify the disease and suggest any better treatment or brand to help improve the condition of this poor shark. Thank you.

 

[vetteguy53081]

This shark arrived with black spots on its skin. Initially the shark seems fine. Two days later, the its skin begin to show discoloration and more black spots appeared. Attempted to dose the shark with 50 grams of sodium nifurstyrenate (100mg per 1g) in 3000 L tank. Also tried to feed the shark, but it doesn’t want to eat even if it is loosing weight. Doesn’t seem to work, so I changed out the water …. I posted photos of the shark and the medicine that I used to dose the shark. If possible, can anyone identify the disease and suggest any better treatment or brand to help improve the condition of this poor shark. Thank you.

Dont quote me, but I believe this a viral dermatitis found on some sharks and Rays.

@Jay Hemdal

 

[Jay Hemdal]

This shark arrived with black spots on its skin. Initially the shark seems fine. Two days later, the its skin begin to show discoloration and more black spots appeared. Attempted to dose the shark with 50 grams of sodium nifurstyrenate (100mg per 1g) in 3000 L tank. Also tried to feed the shark, but it doesn’t want to eat even if it is loosing weight. Doesn’t seem to work, so I changed out the water …. I posted photos of the shark and the medicine that I used to dose the shark. If possible, can anyone identify the disease and suggest any better treatment or brand to help improve the condition of this poor shark. Thank you.

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

I've worked with this species for over 35 years, once these fish are in a good environment, they are very hardy. However, these sharks acquired through the commercial pet trade arrive in very poor condition due to holding/handling stress.

This fish has a number of health issues: the bumps on its snout look infected. These happen from being kept in small tanks and then becoming frightened by something, and rubbing their snouts. Also the fish is very thin. The black spots are not likely bacterial, so the nifurstyrenate won't help with the primary issue, just protect against secondary infection. The black spots are likely due to trematodes, copepods or leeches. These are very difficult to treat in sharks, as sharks are sensitive to the normal medications that can be used to treat these issues. The only way to know what is causing them is to do a biopsy (skin scrape) and use a microscope to see. Of course, handling these sharks is difficult and requires special techniques. In a weakened state, these sharks will often "crash" after handling, and not start swimming again.

You might try praziquantel, dosed at 2.2 ppm. that will help if the black spots are caused by flukes. It will not help if the spots are caused by leeches or copepods.

Ultimately though, your tank is just too small for this fish. 3000 L is only 800 gallons. I've never kept one of these in a tank less than 15,000 liters, and they require an absolute minimum of 40,000 l as adults.

I'm sorry, but I do not think this case will have a good outcome.

Jay

 

[alprazo]

No sure if it has survived, but if copepods, dimilin can be helpful. It’s no immediate cure but stops reproduction of them. Leeches are best treated by manual removal, as are copepods if possible. I wouldn’t attempt it in this one. Last, Dylox works too. I liken it to going nuclear because it’s nasty stuff and I’m not a fan but if all else fails, especially the prazi, it’s out there. I agree with tank size. I’ve never seen have long term success in anything less than a 20 ft or 10,000 gal, or about 37,000 L. And that is quite small for a healthy single adult. An oval pool, is a better option than round to allow a longer swim-glide pattern.