Chromis disease?

[Reefer Cat]

I have a green chromis (chromis viridis) that I have had for about 3.5 years (it was my first saltwater fish), and suddenly it has developed some problems. All the other fish in my tank are fine (there are 4 other fish, all peaceful), but the chromis is acting sick. It is swimming exclusively right at the water surface, has a panicked look in its eyes, mouth is protruded, fast breathing, scales above head are slightly raised, ventral fins are slightly frayed, and there are some dark spots on its body (not parasites, but discoloration). Please help!

PH is 8.0

Nitrite is 0

Ammonia is 0

Nitrate is 25, since I just got back from a month long vacation and my housekeeper couldn't do water changes. Will get on that a.s.a.p. However I don't think its the nitrate that is the problem because my other fish are fine.

 

[snorvich]

When was the last fish added to this environment?

 

[Reefer Cat]

Most recent fish was added approximately 2.5 months ago, I believe. It's a small clownfish to pair with my existing clownfish.

Oh and I forgot to say, the chromis won't eat. Just swims around whenever I put food in the tank. This whole thing has been going on for about 2 days.

 

[Reefsi]

Anything that you would describe as white in coloration? Where are the black spots that you see on the fish? Are they spots or more like clouds?

 

[Reefer Cat]

There are 2 black spots on each side (more like black clouds than defined spots. they are not raised like fungus, but seem like pigment).The black spots are about halfway between the eyes and caudal peduncle and high up on the body.

The ventral fins and caudal fin are more opaque than usual, being closer to white than the usual clear coloration, but can still be seen through.

 

[Reefer Cat]

Anyone?

 

[HumbleFish]

Kinda "sounds" like it could be a bacterial infection. If you could post a pic, that might be helpful.

 

[Reefer Cat]

Should have a pic or video up later today.

 

[Reefer Cat]

Sorry that the picture is so blurry, but it's the best I could do with an iPhone 5. And he is staying behind the plastic rim of my nano cube when I get close, so I had to take the picture from the other side of the tank going through. The fins are more opaque IRL than in the picture, but not completely white.

 

[theGil]

Mine, too! Kind of.

Mine, too! Kind of.

Wow, I've been trying t get some help with my Chromis that has been acting like yours. No spots, though. When did the spots appear?

Here's what I posted a couple of days ago on Nano Reef:



Hi guys,

I've had this green Chromis since at least August 2012, and he has always been a trooper, no matter which tank or tank mates he has lived in/with. Great appetite, too. He's been in my 75g since last September. His current tank mates are 2 Ocellaris clownfish, 3 lyretail anthias, 1 Kole tang, 1 melanaurus wrasse, and 1 six line wrasse. He's always been fine, but I realized a couple(?) of weeks ago that he's been hanging out at the surface, usually right next to the glass/rim. It wasn't until I really paid attention to him during feeding that I realized that he no longer swims below about 3" from the surface. His body is angled tail down about 45° most of the time. When I try to feed in his direction, he doesn't really leave this posture/position and sometimes looks like he's poking his nose out the water, as if the food is on the surface (it isn't).

What do y'all think is going on? He used to swim all over the tank and at much deeper levels. I can't really say that he gets bullied. I've seen the largest anthias give the very occasional chase (not compared to what the other two anthias get) in the past. But nothing that has ever looked concerning. Now, no one really interacts at all with him, even at feeding time, when everyone else comes near the surface.

Is this a swim bladder problem?

Thanks!



Then an update yesterday:



Here's an update, y'all.

Late last night, I saw Chromis "sleeping" half way down the tank! Is that possible with a swim bladder prob that would otherwise keep him at the surface??

Anyway, unfortunately, he was back at the surface this morning :/

Today, in a little experiment inspired by @sooch's now-missing, previously-posted comment, I decided to put Chromis in a closed breeder box and lower him to a deeper position in the tank. I was happy to see that he wasn't "pegged" to the ceiling at any time during the process. More proof that it's not a swim bladder problem? Idk. What do y'all think?



Little cutie at the bottom of the breeder box. Not eating the chopped mysis





Eventually, he settled into his nose to the surface position :/





Later, I did get him to eat some frozen brine, as I squirted it right at him, along the surface

 

[HumbleFish]

Sorry, I can't tell anything from the pic...

 

[Reefer Cat]

Basically everyone I ask has no idea what's wrong with him. He's also developed small patches of raised scales. I'm surprised he's still alive, after almost 20 days with no eating. If I can't fix it, and if he'll starve anyways, should I try to put him down? How would I do that?

 

[MrTuskfish]

You may be dealing with uronema, its been very common with chromis for the last few years. The fish parasites sticky above will give you some info on this parasite. Nitrate at 25 won't hurt any fish at all.

 

[Reefer Cat]

Just had a big "DOH" moment. I've had the fish for almost 4 years now, and he was already an adult when I got him, so considering the lifespans of some of those poorly-collected chromis (who knows where he's from ) he's probably just dying of old age.

 

[Bielaz]

Sorry to hear of your loss. same thing has been happening to me. five chromis have died in the last week due to other fish aggression. have you got any damsels in your tank?

 

[Reefer Cat]

He died yesterday. ;( Couldn't find his body so I think the nassarius's got him. RIP. On the bright side, now i've got space for more fish!

Sorry to hear of your loss. same thing has been happening to me. five chromis have died in the last week due to other fish aggression. have you got any damsels in your tank?

Ouch. Sorry about that mass death. Never had that many fish die before.

And no, The only damsel I've ever had was that chromis.