antibacterial killing haddoni?

[bchbum189]

I have a green haddoni carpet, ive had it for about 3 1/2-4 years, and about a 1/4 is starting to dissolve from the outside edge in. The only thing changed in the system is ive been adding gel tek erythromycin to treat a fish with pop eye for about 3-4 days now.

It would seem to point to this being an obvious problem, but it is an antibacterial so i cant seem to come up with a direct correlation between the 2 events. The carpet has been in the same spot for 6 months now and all parameters have been stable

ammonia 0
nitrate/trite 0
ca 380
mg 1200
alk 9
temp 76-78
salinity 1.025

thanks

 

[WDLV]

That is definately the cause. It's probably too late now. You should NEVER treat a system housing invertebrates with an anti paracitic or antibacterial drug. I would stray away from all medications in a tank housing invertebrates.

 

[seti2020]

So I looked on-line an this product does say reef safe. Erythromycin will not directly hurt your carpet. This is because this antibiotic inhibits protein synthesis in bacterial cells, not eukaryotic cells. So fish and anemone should not be affected by erythromycin. However, if you have live rock it could have averse effects on the micro-organisms in the rock. I know they claim it is 100% reef safe, but there is no way possible that they have tested the affects of erythromycin on all of the numerous different species of micro-organisms living in your live rock. If the microbes in the rock are disturbed could effect your water chemistry, which in turn may affect your anemone.

 

[bchbum189]

I should mention i have a rose and a bta, showing no signs of negative effects, then again a carpet is far more sensitive.

I did know LR bacteria would be effected, but that was why i tested for ammonia, etc.

 

[redFishblue]

A friend of mine had his tank wiped out the day after he treated it with erythromycin.
Never figured out why though.
I'd do some waterchanges just in case.

Once an anemone starts dissolving, I'd take it out before it pollutes the water.
It sucks to lose an anemone you had for so long.

 

[WDLV]

Reef safe is a relative term. There may be organisms effected by it that you cannot detect. This is an eco-system you're talking about. You're always better off removing the fish to treat it.

 

[bchbum189]

yes removing the fish was the first priority, but getting him out of a fully stock 125 just wasnt happening, we tried... and tried.... and tried it was a shame.

It looks like i can probably get him off the rock as he has moved up onto the rock next to him, and doesnt appear to be attached very well, which is also a bad sign.

I wasnt running the med at therapeutic levels, i was soaking their food in it, so its possible a piece went and landed on the carpet giving it a nice dose of it all.

 

[Patrick12]

Seti is correct that emycin will not hurt eukaryotic cells. If it did, then it would lose out on its effectiveness.

Secondly, Sean said he was feeding fish medicated food, not dosing the tank. The amount of emycin impregnated in the food is certainly not enough to create a situation where it "IS DEFINITELY THE CAUSE".

Additionally, having seen the anemome, there is just one small area about an inch to two long on the very edge of capitulum where it appears damaged and decaying. The rest of the anemome appears normal in color, but without its usual stickiness...indicating decreased slime production and stress.

There is no reason to think that something has damaged the anenome, but that is certainly what it looks like on appearance. I would find it hard to believe that a few bits of dosed food with emycin in it, would cause the issue....especially given the status of all the other inhabitants. This tank is cram packed with corals both softies and stonies and all the rest of them appear in tip top shape. In fact the overcrowdedness of the tank is why Sean has a 426 gallon tank build thread up...he really needs a bigger tank.

 

[bchbum189]

need for big tank aside haha, after pulling all of the decaying matter off today, it looked alot better. True test will be if i come in tomorrow and it has more dead junk or not.

 

[WDLV]

Well then, whatever the cause I hope it works out for you. Best of luck.

BTW, I doubt this, but I have to ask...

1. Is it possible that something else stung it?
2. Did you recently do some tank maintenance that might have resulted in a chunk of salt creep falling into the tank and burning it? I have known two people to whom this has happened.

 

[bchbum189]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12451665#post12451665 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by WDLV

2. Did you recently do some tank maintenance that might have resulted in a chunk of salt creep falling into the tank and burning it? I have known two people to whom this has happened.

haha i can guarantee that hasnt happened, i only do bi yearly water changes if that, been doing it that way for years. So no, no chance of salt hitting it.

As for #1, i wouldnt guess something else stung it as its over in its own corner of the tank with noting around it within reach

 

[bchbum189]

just an update, anemone came around just fine, there is a bald spot missing stinging cells but its slowly growing back.

 

[JayB1224]

Thats awesome to hear. Glad you didnt lose her.

 

[GSMguy]

every living thing in a reef tank is dependent on some level on bacteria.