|
| |
|
FAQs about Health/Disease of Tangs 13
Related Articles: The Surgeonfish family, Acanthurus,
Ctenochaetus, Naso,
Paracanthurus,
Zebrasoma , Prionurus,
Surgeonfishes of Hawai'i, Surgeonfishes
for Reef Systems,
Related FAQs: Tang Health/Disease 1, Tang
Health/Disease 2, Tang Health/Disease 3,
Tang Health/Disease 4, Tang
Disease 5, Tang Disease 6,
Tang Disease 7,
Tang Health 8,
Tang Health 9,
Tang Disease 10,
Tang Disease 11,
Tang Disease 12, & Tangs/Rabbitfishes
& Crypt,
Yellow Tang Disease, Black
Spot Disease, HLLE 1, Tangs in General,
Tang
ID, Selection, Tang
Behavior, Compatibility,
Systems,
Feeding,
Treating Marine Disease, Marine
Diseases 2,
|
|
Blue hippo tang and powder brown tang, hlth. 9/28/08
I recently noticed my blue hippo tang scratching the left side of his face on a
rock. Upon looking at him close I notice three micro white bumps all in a exact
straight line, needle point size,
<Mmm, most likely evidence of neuromast
destruction... aka HLLE>
and same on my powder brown tang but he is not
scratching, what do you suggest? They are both swimming great and eating like
crazy between Green algae and brine shrimp, blood worms, and krill.
Troy
<Read here: http://wetwebmedia.com/HLLESWCauseF.htm
and the linked files
above. Bob Fenner>
power brown and blue hippo tang, dis., reading 10/1/08
I have powder brown and blue hippo tang that were both seen scratching so I took
a closer look and saw very few salt like granules on their bodies looks like
crypt but not sure. Does crypt look anything like HLLE?
<Mmm, not really...
the latter can be evidenced by small, discrete whitish dots, but is almost
always symmetrical, in a pattern, masking the "pit organ system" of the fish>
Last night looked worse than today, should I just raise heat and lower Salinity
or get them out of tank and do a fallow as soon as possible?
<... you should
read>
I also have a clown tang, a porcupine puffer, and a clownfish with no
problems that I can see all fish are eating great and swimming great in a 100
gallon tank 60 pounds live rock.
<... a pic might help here... Otherwise
look at ours. Peruse here: http://wetwebmedia.com/mardisindex.htm
And reading
re the species you're keeping... the Clown and Powder Brown Tangs are very
susceptible to protozoan and environmental troubles... as you'll see, are
seeing. Bob Fenner>
Re: Blue hippo tang and powder brown tang... and other copper
sensitive fishes – 10/5/08
I diagnosed my fish of having crypt. I
have put all fish in a 35 gallon plastic container, and letting the tank go
fallow. I am treating with copper ( Cupramine). I am having a heck of a time
keeping the ammonia down. I am using ammo lock and Kordon Amquel plus and doing
daily water changes almost need to do it twice a day. There is a blue hippo(3
inches), a powder brown(4 inches), a Porcupine puffer(5 inches), and a Foxface(3
inches). I feed real lightly. Can you suggest any other good ammonia remover?
Also after five days of copper treatment (keeping the level at .50) the whole
inside of the black plastic container was lined with tons of white like
elongated salt like substance they are real easy to brush off any ideas what
this my be?? I will try to get a pic if it forms again before I remove it.
Troy
<... wouldn't treat these fishes with copper... read re Chloroquine...
quick. BobF>
re: Blue hippo tang and powder brown tang 10/6/08
Where can I find this stuff I can't find any place on the web to buy it?
Thanks,
Troy
<...? I see it in many places putting in the term:
"Chloroquine for sale". B>
Powder blue quarantine 9/20/08
Hi Crew
<Wayne>
Couldn't find an answer to my question on the site. Hope you can help
me out.
<Me too>
I just bought a 4" PBTang...been at the LFS for 2 weeks
and looks healthy.
Have him in a 40 gal QT. My question is about feeding. I
plan to feed dried Nori, red algae, and Gracilaria (all soaked in Selcon)..as
well as occasional Form 1 & 2 pellets, and New life Spectrum pellets. I also
have this "Jungle" anti-bacteria pellet fish food. I've read about the
beneficial bacteria that reside in the guts of PBTs. Based on this....should I
not feed this anti-bacterial food?
<Mmm, don't think this will be an issue.
The infauna of use are actually Protozoans mostly>
What if the fish displays
a bacterial infection...would you still not feed this food?
<Such
"infections" are actually exceedingly rare... How to put this a bit differently
than usual... By the time such microbes "show up" it is almost always too
late... they're mainly decomposers, not pathogens per se>
Thanks a ton. You
guys/gals are great!
<Mmm, myself, fair to middling. Cheers, BobF>
Sick tang, social, env.,
Acanthurus... 08/28/08
Hello Crew,
Thank you for all your help in the past, it has been invaluable.
I noticed about a week ago my Orange Shoulder Tang was getting a few
"discolored spots" on his body.
<I see this>
It seemed to be getting worse by the day until today it seems as if it
has covered most of his body with the exception of fins and head. It doesn't
appear to have a texture or any depressions/lesions. Each spot just seems to
have a lighter coloration than what is normal. I looked in The Conscientious
Aquarist and on this site, but am still uncertain. I have included a pic taken
this am. None of my other fish are affected (as of yet). Any thoughts?
<Something environmental... psychological perhaps...>
125 g reef tank
sg-10.25
calcium- 450
KH- 9
nitrate- 0
nitrite- 0
ammonia- 0
phosphate- 0
1 Blue Chromis - Chromis viridis
1 Green Clown Goby - Gobiodon histrio
2 Pajama Cardinals - Sphaeramia nematoptera
4 Blue Streak Cardinals - Apogon leptacanthus
2 Firefish Gobies - Nemateleotris magnifica
2 Saddleback Clownfish - Amphiprion Polymnus
1 Sixline Wrasse - Pseudocheilinus hexataenia
1 Lawnmower Blenny - Salarias fasciatus
1 Dusky Jawfish - Opistognathus whitehurstii
<These three above may be harassing this fish>
1Royal Gramma- Gramma loreto
1 Dejardin's Tang - Zebrasoma desjardinii
1 Orange Shoulder Tang - Acanthurus olivaceus
1 Chocolate Mimic Tang - Acanthurus pyroferus
1 Yellow Tang - Zebrasoma flavescens
<Or these other Acanthurids>
----------
20 fish total
<Too much, mix for this volume...>
thanks in advance,
Alan
<I would definitely be moving this fish elsewhere... Someone/s' bugging
it too much. Bob Fenner>
|
 |
TWA Tang hlth. w/ copper... using WWM
8/17/08
Hello, I need your help, I have a small Atlantic blue tang that's breathing
very fast.
<Acanthurus coeruleus... not easily kept as individuals, in small hobbyist
settings...>
I had it for about 2 months now. I just recently tried treating it with copper
<...>
thinking it has ich in it gills. but stopped the treatment after 3 days because
the tang was looking really bad. Look like the tang was stoned laying on it's
side. It was really slow and sluggish.
<... had you read>
I was concerned about the tang getting too much copper in it's system. After I
stopped the copper the tang now won't eat but before the treatment he was eating
really good. what do you thing I can do. I do 2 gallon water change every day.
Any suggestions?
Thanks JOE
<For you to start reading... on WWM re Copper use and Tangs at least... Do I
have to do what you should have already? Start here... and soon:
http://wetwebmedia.com/crypttangs.htm
and the linked files above... Bob Fenner...>...>...>
Tang In Trouble (Mystery Malady or???)
7/13/08
Hi,
<Hey there! Scott F. in today!>
I have had a Hippo tang for about 6 weeks. Three weeks in quarantine; three
weeks in the main tank (95 gal; asst corals; several misc. fishes).
<I commend you on embracing a quarantine procedure!>
Since I placed it into the main tank, he has been mostly hiding in the live
rock, with an occasional venture outsides this protection. For the past few
days, he has been very lethargic. If finally have been able to "capture' him and
place him in a QT. He is on the verge of death, but I would like to do whatever
I can to save him.
Any suggestions?
Thanks, Fred
<Well, Fred, general lethargy can be the result of many different potential
issues, ranging from poor environmental factors to disease. You'll have to do
some detective work and ask yourself some questions here. I don't have much to
go on. I'm assuming that the fish was eating well and showing no signs of
illness during the quarantine period, correct? It is not uncommon for a fish to
hide for some period of time upon introduction to his/her new home. However, for
the fish to be in such severe state of lethargy, there must be something else
going on. Is there a "bully" in your aquarium that is harassing this fish? Are
all primary environmental parameters (temperature, specific gravity, pH,
ammonia, nitrite, nitrate) within acceptable limits? Is this the only fish in
the aquarium that is acting in such a lethargic manner? Are there any other
telltale signs of disease, such as rapid breathing, discoloration, excessive
mucus, bumps, spots, or other obvious body traumas? Has the fish been eating
with any degree of regularity? I think that you're going to have to remove this
fish for closer observation and possible treatment, if there is a disease to
treat.
Quiet conditions and stable environmental parameters in the quarantine aquarium
may help bring this fish back, but it is hard to know. Administering a vitamin
product, such as Vita Chem, into the quarantine aquarium's water, might help
perk the fish up a bit. Before you begin bombarding the fish with drugs, it's
important to know what's going on, of course. Like I mention above, it's really
tough to diagnose this fish based on the information that you described. I'd key
in on either some illness, or obvious trauma as a culprit. If the condition was
caused by environmental factors, the other fishes in the aquarium would have
showed signs. If it is an obvious disease, such as Ich, there likely would be
other fishes affected. In the end, you're going to have to get this fish into a
quarantine aquarium and observe him/her closely before deciding on your next
course of action. Sorry I cannot give you more specific advise, but I hope that
the questions that I asked, and the fish health resources here on WWM, help you
use deduction to determine what is wrong with this fish. Good luck! Regards,
Scott F.>
White dangly things on Tomini
Tang - 05/31/08
Hello!
<Howzit>
I have a little problem (hopefully little). I came home from work today
I noticed 3 white little dangly things hanging off my Tomini Tang. There
are two to the upper right of the eye, and one to the lower right of the
gill. Sorry, this is the best pic I can get - Ernie is a fast little
bugger! They look like little bits of white thread about 2-3 mm long.
My 6 month old tank is a 125 gal FOWLR (to be reef in another 6 or so
months). Its stocked w/ the tang (I've had him since the beginning of
March), 3 Randal's Damsels, 1 Oblique Lined Dottyback, 45 or so snails
(Cerith, Nassarius, Astrea), 45 hermits and 2 Mithrax crabs. The damsels
and Dottyback are the newest additions (3 weeks in display after 4 weeks
in qt). As of yesterday all appeared healthy. Last night parameters
were: SG - 1.025, temp - 80.5, ammonia - 0.0, nitrite - 0.0, nitrate -
0.0, ph - 8.4, Alk - high (red sea test), calcium - 375. I did my usual
weekly 20% water change using RO water mixed w/ Tropic Marin mix (let
sit for 48hr before using). During the water change, I cleaned my
skimmer & fuge/sump. In the process of doing so, I dislodged (accidentally)
a bunch of Syconoid sponges that lived in between my sump baffles. They
were chopped up in the return pump.
Could these stringy hanger-ons be bits of sponge?
<Mmm, possibly, but I don't think so>
I doubt it, but one could hope that its nothing serious. If it is
something more serious, what to do?
<Punt... I'd hold off on all treatments, moving...>
I have a qt tank, but its currently in use. My new Copperband Butterfly
& Longnose Hawkfish are qt-ing as we speak. They have 2 1/2 weeks left
before they will be cleared to enter the display.
<I'd place them, per schedule>
I appreciate any help that you can give me. Thanks for your tireless
efforts to help us all.
Sincerely
Pavlo
<These suddenly appearing bits are likely spurious... will likely
dislodge themselves on short notice... Bob Fenner> |
 |
ich tang? WWM reading?
5/28/2008
I introduced a new tang in my 8
week old 75 reef gallon tank on Friday.
He was not qted.
<... mistake>
He swims and eats, he's a little shy though. On Sunday I noticed small white
speckles on his fins. (not his dorsal or ventral fins) well he's eating, and he
doesn't have theses spots on his body. I have a really bad feeling its ich. I
have 3 chromis and a scooter blenny that are showing no signs...yet. What do you
suggest?
<Reading. Start here: http://wetwebmedia.com/crypttangs.htm
and the linked files above. Bob Fenner>
Black Spot on
Atlantic Blue Tang 4/25/08
I want to first off say thank you for all the help you and your
website have given me. I recently lost my UV light for about a week and
was waiting for the replacement to arrive. During that week I was out of
town and when I got home I noticed a few things. One was this large
black spot on my Atlantic blue tang about the size of a small pea. I
attached a picture I hope you can see the spot.
<I do>
I looked up Black ick but I do not think that is it. Do you have any
suggestions of what it maybe?
<Looks very much like a "recovery area" from a physical trauma...>
Another thing I noticed was since my UV had gone out I now have this
dark green almost black film on all my flex hose and my skimmer is
working overtime. Any ideas of this blackish green film?
<Microbes of various sorts likely... will go with the lamp replacement>
It is not on anything but the hoses and plumbing nothing in the tank.
Thanks Again
Brad
<Not to worry here... Bob Fenner> |
|
 |
Bloated
Yellow Mimic Tang, 3/22/08
About a week ago I noticed my juvenile mimic tang is very bloated
(see picture attached).
<I see this>
He ate has been eating this week, but did not eat anything this morning.
I have had this fish since November 2007. He is usually pretty active.
For the past day or so, he stays hidden most of the time. Do you have
any clues as to what could be wrong? Is there any treatment?
<Mmm, perhaps a gut blockage, could be a form of egg-binding...>
7 month old, 75 gal FOWLR. Fish include: Yellow mimic tang, imperial
angel,
<Needs more room than this>
coral beauty, tomato clown, Sailfin tang, sand sifter Gobi. Water
conditions: NH4 - 0, NO2 - 0, NO3 - 4ppm, pH - 7.9,
<A bit low>
PO4 - .07ppm, salinity 1.026, dKH - 8.7
<I do see quite a bit of BGA/Blue-Green algae in the pic as well... it
could be that this Acanthurus has swallowed too much of this... and is
being mal-affected... There are cases where the addition of Epsom Salt
can "free up" such apparent swellings. Do use the search tool on WWM:
http://wetwebmedia.com/WWMAdminSubWebIndex/question_page.htm
and read the cached views re. Bob Fenner> |
|
 |
Swollen mouth and funny
tongue tang 3/5/08
Hi,
I purchased a 3 1/2 in clown tang about 5 days ago, when I brought him home, he
looked great, was eating well and exploring the tank. I have a 55 gal aquarium
<Too small for Acanthurus lineatus>
with the plan to move him into my boyfriend's 150 gal aquarium once he grows a
little larger.
<Oh!>
Today he developed a swollen mouth and almost looks like his tongue is moving in
and out of his mouth vigorously. His color has gotten darker since this has
developed and he has become a lot less active.
<Bad signs>
I have done Ammonia(0 ppm), pH(8.0), Nitrate(10 ppm), Nitrite (0 ppm) and
Salinity (1.024) tests, I don't think any of those things are the problem. I do
have several different species of anemones in my tank, including Condylactis,
carpet, and a long tentacle.
<... not a good mix. See WWM re Anemone Compatibility>
Could it maybe be a sting from an anemone?
<Mmm, yes>
No other fish in the tank (pearly Jawfish, 2 percula clowns) are showing any
signs of disease. Any idea what could be wrong with my clown tang? If so what
would you recommend to treat him?
Ashlee
<If you have another stable system, I would move this fish. The more likely
cause of the trouble here is/was collection damage... shipping, what have you...
Only time will tell whether the specimen will self-heal. The prospects are not
good. Bob Fenner>
Tang spots
2/16/08
Hi Crew,
<David>
I previously posted ...but after over 2 weeks the "issue" keeps
returning.
<I see>
I have a 3"-4" Scopas Tang that I've had for about 2 months. Starting
about 3 weeks ago he displayed flashing, periodic scratching, heavy
breathing, then several faint soft-edged spots just in front of his
tail( in order of symptom appearance). First it was only on one side,
but within a couple of hours it was on both sides. The spots progressed
into a larger "patch" made up of the spots. The patch/spots only appear
above his tail.( see pic)
<I see this>
I quarantined all of my fish and treated with QuickCure ( Formalin &
Malachite Green). Within minutes of the first dose the Tang looked much
better - normal color and patch seemed less apparent, less labored
breathing. 3 days of QuickCure ... filter in. Next day the patch
returned ( approx same location)! Complete tank cleaning and 3 more days
of treatment. Again, Tang looked much better - one might even be tempted
to say he looked "cured". Again, insert carbon filter ...24 hours
...white spot, same location ...with labored breathing! Other 3 fish
removed to a second QTank ( no signs of disease).
So, I've started the 3rd round of treatments with QuickCure. Today is
day 2.
<I would cease this exposure... too toxic, not likely to effect a cure>
My question is ...is this Ich or Velvet or some other nefarious ( I
threw that in for drama) parasite? See attached picture. The patch has
been more distinct, but that's what he looks like today.
Ich, Velvet, Other ...?
<Other>
Suggestions on treatment alternatives?
<Time going by, careful observation>
A beer to the one who successfully gets this Tang "cured";)
<Oh!>
A sincere thanks for your time and thoughts.
David
<This tang is damaging itself by "flicking" the tang on this, its
favorite side... likely in response to its own reflection (internally,
inside the tank). Try placing a piece of paper on the side it seems to
stay most on "jousting" and be patient. Bob Fenner>
Re: Tang spots
2/17/08
Hi Bob,
No beer awarded yet ... but I'll put one on ice just in case;)
<Ooh, stop teasing>
I will try the paper suggestion, but new symptoms have appeared! The
Tang has 5-6 quickly developed individual soft-edged spots on one side
of his "chest" ( resembling the original spots just above his tail) and
now appears to have something ( not quite cloudy) on both eyes! He's
stopped eating, and over the course of the day the spots on his chest
have gone through a transformation from slightly visible to distinct and
now have diminished to the point that I can only identify (1) spot. I've
observed each morning he seems to look great,
<Am curious as to whether these spots/marks re-appear everyday, grow in
number>
or at least good, but his condition diminishes with the day. While I
haven't witnessed any "jousting", his temperament could be characterized
as more aggressive with frequent bullying for a corner position with the
bi-color Damsel that was sharing the QT (these fish have been removed to
QT2).
<Good>
Sans tank-mates, he has just been slowly swimming around the tank.
Also, I have seen a marked improvement whenever the Tang is receiving
the QuickCure.
<Perhaps akin to you gargling seawater for a sore throat...>
Each time the spot(s) seems to retreat, color becomes vibrant and his
overall health looks to have improved - sometimes to the point of
"cured". Assuming I am up against a parasite, I dosed the fish today and
over-dosed ( 20%) when spots returned, monitoring for any signs of
distress. Several hours have gone by and again he seems to have improved
after receiving medication!
<Dosing... the formalin/copper? Where? Not in the main tank I
hope/trust>
Tell me to "take my foot off" the QuickCure and I will ...but I fear the
beer might never be awarded:(
<Me too>
Thanks again for your thoughts.
David
<Do you have access to a microscope... even of low (a few hundred X)
magnification? Facility of using? I would be chary of continuing the
exposure to the active ingredients of QC with this or any other Tang,
fishes period... If it can be determined that this is indeed a parasite
definitively, more specific (less general biocidal) treatment may be
proscribed... Otherwise, I still stand with my non-high-confidence guess
that the root of the issue here is environmental. Bob Fenner> |
|
Re:
Re: re: Tang spots 2/17/08
Hi Bob,
The spots come and go, but seem to have a "life expectancy" as
they change throughout the day.
<A useful bit of data>
I don't have a microscope ( put that on list of things to buy
next). However, the spots on the Tang's eyes appear to be a
small ( grain of salt size) soft-edged sphere(s) with what look
like tendril-like branching roots extending out randomly.
<Interesting... perhaps a trematode...>
Spots on the abdomen came and went and have been replaced by a
new spot. Several smaller white grains have appeared around its
eyes. Pectoral fins have a "moldy" look to them which also has
come and gone over the course of the day.
Unbelievably the Tang is still hanging in there, but I suspect
its life expectancy has already been determined:(
<Am not generally subject to much belief in pre-destinies>
Any advice ...a last ditch attempt ...some rare experimental
medication recently developed from the stamen of some endangered
Amazon flower? The fish has shown real heart ...I'd hate to give
up on it.
Thx again.
David
<Where is this specimen again? If not in the main display, I
would make the bold move and summarily pH-adjusted FW dip and
move it thus. BobF>
Re: Re: Re: re: Tang spots
Thanks for the quick reply Bob.
<Welcome David>
...freshwater dip (ph adjusted) until any signs of distress or 6
minutes ...which ever comes first?
<Yes... aerated>
Then move to display tank? I see where you're going with this
...seems worth a try. I'll let you know what happens ...TBC.
Thx.
David
<Should all be fine. BobF>
Re: Re: Re: Re: re: Tang
spots
Good morning Bob,
<David>
As prescribed, FW dip about 6 min, then right into the display
tank. Rough night ...but Tang is alive ( see attached photo).
However, it's looked good every morning ... only to look
horrible by afternoon and evening:(
Spots seem to have disappeared ...except for several on its left
eye. Small specks with some cloudiness.
<Patience my friend>
Lights out for the day... it couldn't possibly be something that
is part parasite with a photosynthetic ability?
<Not likely, no>
Next problem ... eating. This fish is very thin and has refused
brine shrimp(!), Nori and an algae based feed ( Source One?).
<Try Spectrum pellets of small size/diameter... remarkably
palatable>
?, the other 3 fish, False Clown, Bi-color Damsel and a 3 Stripe
Damsel ...dip and return home or leave in QT?
<I'd leave them for now>
Here's hoping I need to FedEx a beer to some distant state;)
<Mmm, what town do you inhabit? What brand of beer?>
A sincere thanks for your assistance thus far.
<Welcome>
PS - I have a Chiton that I've had for about 2 weeks. I didn't
QT for fear of it starving. How does one, or do they, ensure
that nothing "rides in" on this new addition?
FW dip?
<Not to worry here... this planet, life is not discrete in such
vectoring/conventions... all is a matter of "degree"... With
other tendencies, influences in your favor, all will be well
here. Please take a scan: http://wetwebmedia.com/mardisease.htm
This idea set is one of my few important models to grant others>
If so, how long? Thx.
<I would not FW dip most any invertebrate group... there are
exceptions, but they are but few>
David
<Bob Fenner> |
|
Ahhh, mas mejor. RMF.
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: re: Tang
spots 2/19/08
Bob,
<David>
Do you have a cell phone number in case something happens to the tang
really early in the morning?
<Heeeee!>
Just kidding;) Seriously, thx for the great advice. I'm sure The Crew
has saved many... while educating the care givers on the diverse habits
and needs of all these wonderful LFS purchases;)
<It is indeed... a mission, a cause celebre... expression of the desire
to share awareness, inspire other folks to appreciate, enjoy, have
success... twixt themselves and the living/aquatic worlds>
I'm located in Western Massachusetts, 5 minutes from Amherst, MA ( 5
colleges - Amherst, UMASS, Hampshire, Mt Holyoke and Smith).
<Mmm... a bit far from HI and San Diego, Ca... But am hopeful we will
indeed meet in proximity>
No matter the outcome you have earned your beer. Address?
<Thank you, but let's wait till that time of meeting. Knowing that you
and your Zebrasoma have gained is sufficient thanks>
PS - careful when you open it as the contents were probably subjected to
rapid changes in motion;)
Paix
David
<Salutem dicit, Bob Fenner>
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: re: Tang
spots
Bob, today's pic entitled: "Tang foraging" ...evidence of your
successful guidance, my thanks ...and the Tang's recovery ( I'm sure it
thanks you also).
<Ahhh!>
If our paths ever cross I owe you a gallon of beer.
<Almost getting worth jumping on a cross continent jet!>
Now I'm off to click a couple of WWM sponsor ads;)
Sincerely,
David
<Congratulations on your success David. BobF> |
|
 |
|
|
|
Yellow kole mouth problem
2/8/08
Just purchased a yellow eye kole from an online dealer. I know not to now!
Its mouth is stuck open and looks like growths or something on its edges where
it opens and closes.
<Mmm, Ctenochaetus do have some evident processes around the mouth... but the
mouth should close... This one is likely damaged>
I read on wet web of another person with a similar kole mouth problem and it was
said to take action ASAP. However the writer went to another subject of damsel
fish and the ASAP action was never discussed.
It was suggested that the problem was probably a microbial infection to damage
done in capture or shipping. My question is what action to I take to cure a
microbial infection?
Thanks for Your help
Bob Carter
<Mmm... I really don't like carte blanche infectious disease (probable or real)
treatments with marine life... Best to situate this fish in a stable, lots of
live rock, and low total bacteria setting (a newer, though cycled system,
perhaps with a UV, ozonizer...) and hope for spontaneous recovery. Bob Fenner>
Re: yellow kole mouth problem
2-9-08
Thanks so much Bob. I seem to be on the right track because I have moved him
into a two month old cycled system. I have put in Ulva, Ogo or Gracilaria,
feather Caulerpa and rock with much hair algae.
<Ah, good>
Before I moved him to the newer system he spent much time hanging out in front
of my Hectors goby. Is it possible he was expecting the goby to pick parasites
from his mouth?
<Perhaps...>
It sure looked like he was seeking help. Crazy thoughts I guess. However I am
going to put in a skunk cleaner shrimp in case it might help.
<A good idea>
This animal {yellow eyed kole} is so beautiful and graceful its breaking my
heart to see him suffer.
Bob, thanks so much for being there as well as the rest of your crew.
Bob Carter
<A pleasure to "bear pain with you"... to be compassionate is to be human. BobF>
|
Powder Blue Tang/Health
2/6/08
Hi,
<Hello YJ>
Im a newbie at this. I have the responsibility of taking care of our aquarium
while my hubby is gone.
<Hoping not for long.>
We have a 200 gal, water tested fine yesterday,
<Not necessarily indicative of good water quality.>
temp is about 78. Yesterday my Powder Blue Tang looked distressed, this morning
he is way down on the bottom behind the rocks and I think he is dying.
<Me too.>
I watch the fish very closely every day for signs of anything unusual. We have a
Yellow Tang, Blue Damsels, Fox Face (looks stressed today). My Blue Tang has
been so happy and a pleasure to watch, I don't understand whats going on. Thank
you, Im glad I found your web site, very informative.
<I'm thinking this is an environmental problem more than anything else. Your
tank is certainly large enough but tangs do require pristine water quality for
continued good health. You mention nothing as to your maintenance schedule,
filtration system, diet, etc. Need more info here to provide a better answer. Do
read here on the Powder Blue Tang. http://www.wetwebmedia.com/powdbluetg.htm
James (Salty Dog).>
YJ
Texas
|
Olivaceus Tang hlth
2/2/08
Hi guys
<B and L>
Your website is great and has provided us with many helpful tips and
suggestions.
<Our hope>
We are located in Aus, and have a 10 x 2 x 2 tank, which we added a
large Olivaceus/Orange Shoulder tang to a week ago.
<Am out in some of this species prime territory (Hawai'i) currently...>
He seems to scratch and smack himself in the head with his fin and has
had these black marks appear recently (see attached).
<I see... typical "break down" syndrome...>
I lost a tang which had very similar marks on its body a few years ago.
He is swimming and eating well. Other tank mates are Blue/Regal tang,
Lipstick tang, Sailfin tang, Emperor angel, Blue Face angel, Blue Spot
Sting Ray and Zebra eel.
<Yikes... I do hope this system is huge>
Testing all our parameters I cant find anything out of the ordinary. Can
you help in any way, by letting us know what it could possibly be and
how to treat it?
Thanks in advance for your time.
Brett and Leanne
<As you state, this specimen is feeding well... I would introduce and
feed (likely exclusively) Spectrum pelleted foods to all the stock you
list... Please read here re: http://wetwebmedia.com/foodsppt1.htm
This food by itself will greatly bolster the immune system of the
Acanthurus, and help to lessen aggressive behavior/stress amongst all...
Bob Fenner> |
|
|
Tang/Health 12/18/07
Hi Bob.
<Hi Lori, James with you today.>
I'm hoping you can help me. I'll start with a little info regarding my tank. I
have a fish only tank that I started about 5 months ago. I have one Three Stripe
Damsel, 1 Yellow and Blue Damsel and added a Yellow Tang, Scarlet Cleaner
Shrimp, Chocolate Chip Starfish, and 2 Turbo Snails approx. 1 month ago. My
water has maintained good quality.
<What size tank are we talking about here?>
The salinity has been kept at 1.021 and temp of 80. About 4 days ago I noticed
the tang acting funny (but eating well). He was scratching himself on the rock
decorations and the cleaner shrimp was going crazy cleaning him (more than
normal).
<Not good.>
When I looked closely I finally noticed the black specs. Luckily I was able to
diagnose him with black ich rather quickly though your info website. I spoke to
the aquarium shop about freshwater dips and anything else I could do. I'm very
attached to this fish and so worried about him. She advised a 1 minute
freshwater dip in dechlorinated water at the same or slightly warmer temp as the
tank and that I should lower the salinity down to 1.016 and raise the temp to
about 83. I tried to adjust the tank salinity and temp over the course of a
little more than 24 hours (I think too fast). I then got the freshwater dip
ready at about .2 degrees warmer than the tank.
I put the tang in the dip, he sank to one side then jumped up and moved around
then just under 1 minute he began to breathe rapidly and looked like he was
beginning to stress and I removed him immediately. The spots were gone within a
couple hours of the dip. This was done 3 days ago, and since then, he has not
acted well. The first night he would swim in circles. He is not eating at all.
He looks as though he has seizures every now and then. He goes through periods
of rapid breathing. He will swim into the corner as if he is trying to bury his
nose in the bottom. I feel awful!!!! I'm beside myself and don't know what to do
for him. I did not let the salinity stay that low. Over the course of these 3
days I raised it back to the normal level and the water temp has stayed at 82.2.
By the way, with the change in the water, I killed my cleaner shrimp. I woke up
the day after the tangs water dip and the starfish was on top of the cleaner. I
was devastated and cried for 2 hours. The tang and the cleaner were 2 peas in a
pod!.... Can you help me? What did I do wrong? I'm praying that my tang will
pull out of this but my hope is deteriorating each hour that he goes without
eating.
What do you think are his chances?
<Sorry to say Lori, but I'd be surprised if the tang is still alive when you get
this.>
Thank you in advance for any help you can give me, or any advise so that I do
not make the same mistake again.
<Lori, tangs are not the easiest fish to keep for starters. They are "ich
magnets" so to speak. You did not mention quarantine so I'm assuming the fish
was never quarantined before going into the main display. Do read these links
and related files in each link.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/YellowTang.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/Tangdisease.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/volume_3/cav3i4/quarantine/Quarantine.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/QuarMarFishes.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/quaranti.htm
James (Salty Dog)>
Lori
| |
|
