Brooklynella

[Polkman]

This nasty parasite took out 2 of my clownfish less than 72 hours. I had them in a 15gal column tank. I added live rock and live sand, and was planning on doing a mini reef tank in there. I also had to move my Singapore angelfish into the 15 gal due to her eating my corals that I had in my 55 gal. Unfortunately I didn't notice the brook outbreak until it was too late.

I'm afraid after losing my tomato clowns that the angelfish might be infected. She's not displaying any lost coloration or skin abrasions, although she is flashing on rocks. I gave her a fresh water dip to temporarily relieve some irratation.

I'm planning on picking up a 10gal qt/ht tank to treat her. Any ideas on what meds would work against brook other than 37% formaldehyde?

Also what should I do with the 15 gal column? Let it run fallow for 8 weeks while I have the angelfish in qt? I do have some inverts in there 5-6 hermits and a emerald crab. Should I leave them in during the fallow period?

Should I just break down the tank and clean everything and just start over with that tank since it's only 15 gallons? Would I have to let the live rock sit in ro/di water for a few weeks?

Thanks in advance for any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Deinonych]

The angelfish has been exposed and should be treated to prevent future outbreaks. Chloroquine phosphate is a possible alternative to formalin, although its effectiveness is anecdotal at best. Fallow period for brook is 6 weeks.

 

[Polkman]

The angelfish has been exposed and should be treated to prevent future outbreaks. Chloroquine phosphate is a possible alternative to formalin, although its effectiveness is anecdotal at best. Fallow period for brook is 6 weeks.

Thanks for the quick response! Would seachem paraguard be a good substitute? Or just go with a bottle of 37% formalin?

 

[Deinonych]

Thanks for the quick response! Would seachem paraguard be a good substitute? Or just go with a bottle of 37% formalin?

I've never used Paraguard, so I can't speak to its effectiveness. Seachem claims it is as effective as formalin, but I've never seen any documented evidence that it is.

 

[snorvich]

I've never used Paraguard, so I can't speak to its effectiveness. Seachem claims it is as effective as formalin, but I've never seen any documented evidence that it is.

Likewise.

 

[ThRoewer]

I wouldn't do experiments when it comes to brook or velvet - you just don't have the time to make mistakes.

If I would know for sure it's Brooklynella I would go with formalin dips, especially if the fish isn't showing any symptoms.

If the diagnosis isn't clear and it could also be Amyloodinium I would still do a formalin dip but then treat with CP.

At the right dose formalin is well tolerated by most fish and in general I give every new fish a formalin dip before they even go into the QT.

 

[Polkman]

I wouldn't do experiments when it comes to brook or velvet - you just don't have the time to make mistakes.

If I would know for sure it's Brooklynella I would go with formalin dips, especially if the fish isn't showing any symptoms.

If the diagnosis isn't clear and it could also be Amyloodinium I would still do a formalin dip but then treat with CP.

At the right dose formalin is well tolerated by most fish and in general I give every new fish a formalin dip before they even go into the QT.

Interesting. I was planning on getting a pair of clownfish in the near future. Was wondering if I were to introduce them to a formalin dip before adding them into the qt, do you acclimate them or just drop them in once you match the temp? Also where can I purchase CP? I read somewhere that I might need a prescription from a vet?

 

[ThRoewer]

First drip acclimate,
then formalin dip (I use the FishVet Formalin MS dosage),
then into QT

Now, I don't use the typical sterile QT setups but rather decorate them with live rock. I found that to be better for the fish.

 

[Polkman]

First drip acclimate,
then formalin dip (I use the FishVet Formalin MS dosage),
then into QT

Now, I don't use the typical sterile QT setups but rather decorate them with live rock. I found that to be better for the fish.

I do have some live rock in the 15 gallon. If I added a few pieces to the QT and decided to use copper in the future would that have a negative effect towards beneficial bacteria? (Of course I would have to leave the live rock in the qt permanently)

 

[ThRoewer]

Copper is not a good choice against brook or velvet.

I use the man made Real Reef rocks since they are dead when I buy them and they are easy to sterilize.

 

[Polkman]

hrmm actually from further diagnosis, it may actually be velvet

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what do you guys think it is? If so , what would be the fallow period for the tank?
i also just put the angelfish into a QT, should i still treat it with formalin?

 

[Deinonych]

Looks like brook to me.

 

[snorvich]

Looks like brook to me.

Likewise. In theory chloroquine phosphate might successfully treat but it would need to be dipped in formalin first and then inserted into a tank with "clean" water which was not infected.

 

[alprazo]

I recently used chloroquine on brook infected clowns with zero success. These fish were started on CP out of the bag. They developed signs of classic brook after arrival and the clowns succumbed despite doubling to CP dose. It was my first experience with using CP for brook.

I personally recommend formalin for brook, CP for velvet, and TT or CP for ich.

 

[Deinonych]

i personally recommend formalin for brook, cp for velvet, and tt or cp for ich.

+1

 

[snorvich]

I recently used chloroquine on brook infected clowns with zero success. These fish were started on CP out of the bag. They developed signs of classic brook after arrival and the clowns succumbed despite doubling to CP dose. It was my first experience with using CP for brook.

I personally recommend formalin for brook, CP for velvet, and TT or CP for ich.

I agree. Why do you think it does not work with brook?

 

[ThRoewer]

That looks like brook.
With clownfish it's best to use formalin prophylactic right out of the bag, even if they don't show any symptoms. Usually, by the time you see symptoms it's already well advanced and the chances of saving them are lower.

 

[Polkman]

Thanks for everyone's feedback! It is greatly appreciated! Was thinking of treating the Singapore angel with formalin since she was in the same tank as the clowns that died. Are angelfish ok with being treated formalin?

 

[ThRoewer]

I've dipped 2 3" regal angels and they did fine. Just don't go too high with the dose.
I use the dosage that is recommended on the FishVet Formalin MS bottles and it works well. (I think it's 20 drops per gallon but better check)

At a local store I treated a sick clownfish and after only one dip at that dose and being transferred into a not infected tank she recovered (Though they managed to kill her several weeks later with brook anyway when they put her into a brook infested sales system.)

 

[Polkman]

I believe I'm in a pickle right about now. My 15 gallon is sitting fallow as of now and my 10gal qt was just recently cleaned and air dried.

Apparently my main tank (55gal) has a small ich outbreak on a 2" yellow tang. And I just lost a 2" tomini tang yesterday to what I think might be brook. Heavy breathing, laying on side, and skin seemed to be peeling. I'm new to saltwater reefing and rushed adding fish without qt and is now learning my mistakes.

I currently now have 2 clownfish, 4 green chromis, 1 diamond goby and the yellow tang in my tank. They're eating and seem to be fine as of now. I know I should take them out and qt them. But how do I treat for brook and ich? Should/can I do a formalin dip for all of them for the first week, then do copper treatment in qt?

Any help is appreciated. I feel devastated after losing the tomini, and I don't know if I can handle losing the other 2 chocolate clowns after losing the 2 tomato clowns in my 15 gal.