Chromis Uronema Marinum (sp)

[BigJohnny]

Snorvich (some experienced/popular guy on this forum) told me that he did not recommend chromis due to their high susceptibility to this disease. I really want a couple blue reef chromis. Anyone had any issues with them (even after proper qt) and is this something that could ruin a tank or just effect them specifically?

Thanks!

 

[Dmorty217]

We all know Steve and he knows his stuff... Urenoma is only the first problem you will encounter with chromis. I and many others have had large groups (25+) that end up being in the single digits within a few short months. If you want a group of fish try some cardinals or anthias if you can feed several times a day

 

[BigJohnny]

We all know Steve and he knows his stuff... Urenoma is only the first problem you will encounter with chromis. I and many others have had large groups (25+) that end up being in the single digits within a few short months. If you want a group of fish try some cardinals or anthias if you can feed several times a day

I only want 2-3 chromis. I've just seen so many people with chromis and have never heard about this. Maybe it's an issue when you have large schools? Regardless I am just trying to hear as many opinions as I can from both sides. Thanks for the info!

I only have a 50g so can't do anthias. do you recommend any specific cardinals with as much color as an anthias or chromis?

 

[Deinonych]

I believe the Uronema problem is primarily with green chromis (C. viridis and possibly C. atripectoralis) and how/when they are collected. I don't believe it's a genus-wide problem, as there doesn't seem to be evidence that other species within the Chromis genus are specifically susceptible to the parasite. That said, I have a blue reef chromis that I've had for more than 9 months, and it's the model of health. Went through full QT (prazi+TTM+observation) without an issue.

Also - agree with Dmorty217 that any group of Chromis will whittle themselves down to one. Just get one, or get a group of other fish as suggested above.

 

[BigJohnny]

I believe the Uronema problem is primarily with green chromis (C. viridis and possibly C. atripectoralis) and how/when they are collected. I don't believe it's a genus-wide problem, as there doesn't seem to be evidence that other species within the Chromis genus are specifically susceptible to the parasite. That said, I have a blue reef chromis that I've had for more than 9 months, and it's the model of health. Went through full QT (prazi+TTM+observation) without an issue.

Also - agree with Dmorty217 that any group of Chromis will whittle themselves down to one. Just get one, or get a group of other fish as suggested above.

Ok so you think one blue reef chromis would be cool?

 

[kenith]

Ok so you think one blue reef chromis would be cool?

Qt with ttm and cp and you can have as many as if you want without uronema

 

[BigJohnny]

Qt with ttm and cp and you can have as many as if you want without uronema

What's CP? I quarantine with cupramine and prazipro, is that sufficient?

So wait, if qt eliminates uronema, I don't understand why snorvich would caution against getting them and list their susceptibility of that parasite as the reason. I mentioned I qtd.

 

[ThRoewer]

CP = Chloroquine Phosphate = New Life Spectrum Ick-Shield Powder

 

[benjc]

I treated mine with Furan 2 during the qt process. The problem with Uronema is that once it gets into your tank, the only way to get rid of it is to break down the tank and dry everything out.

 

[gone fishin]

If Uronema makes it to the DT it is pretty much game over and a restart. If you want the Chromis then QT them. The trouble is Uronema can live quite some time in the water column before infecting another fish. Good luck.

 

[Deinonych]

So wait, if qt eliminates uronema, I don't understand why snorvich would caution against getting them and list their susceptibility of that parasite as the reason. I mentioned I qtd.

He cautions against them because Uronema infections can be difficult to treat. If you QT, and have the appropriate medications on hand in case of infection, you should be fine.

There is speculation that Uronema is part of the normal aquarium flora and only becomes problematic when water conditions deteriorate. Personally, I would worry more about velvet, brook and crypto outbreaks. Keeping CP on hand can treat all four diseases (incl. uronemosis), although I prefer TTM for crypto.

 

[ca1ore]

I have a pair of blue greens in my tank (I know, a PAIR, woo hoo) and they are the crabbiest, most unattractive fish I have. Were I starting out, I'd not risk it. Buddy had uronema and it's a tank killer (fallow no workie with this bug).

 

[CHSUB]

i have 3 now, from 10 about 18 months ago. they are big and friendly but as most say they seem to kill each other. i have been keeping chromis since at least 1982 and have had some in every tank i have owned. i see no reason not to get one?

 

[BigJohnny]

He cautions against them because Uronema infections can be difficult to treat. If you QT, and have the appropriate medications on hand in case of infection, you should be fine.

There is speculation that Uronema is part of the normal aquarium flora and only becomes problematic when water conditions deteriorate. Personally, I would worry more about velvet, brook and crypto outbreaks. Keeping CP on hand can treat all four diseases (incl. uronemosis), although I prefer TTM for crypto.

There is not much scientific evidence on effective treatment with cp however it is becoming more popular and considered very effective by some reefers. You dont need it however. Cupramine prazipro and paraguard can handle all of the same if I understand correctly

 

[BigJohnny]

I have a pair of blue greens in my tank (I know, a PAIR, woo hoo) and they are the crabbiest, most unattractive fish I have. Were I starting out, I'd not risk it. Buddy had uronema and it's a tank killer (fallow no workie with this bug).

A pair is probably part of why they are crabby eh?

 

[BigJohnny]

Qt with ttm and cp and you can have as many as if you want without uronema

If Uronema makes it to the DT it is pretty much game over and a restart. If you want the Chromis then QT them. The trouble is Uronema can live quite some time in the water column before infecting another fish. Good luck.

i have 3 now, from 10 about 18 months ago. they are big and friendly but as most say they seem to kill each other. i have been keeping chromis since at least 1982 and have had some in every tank i have owned. i see no reason not to get one?

Thanks guys yes I'm getting one blue reef chromis for my tank. Full QT.

 

[Sk8r]

I don't have trouble with them as a rule. What many people experience is done by the chromis themselves---as they attempt to find night-holes. They're operating on auto-pilot, want their holes, and weaker loses and gets beaten up. They'll adjust their own numbers to the available suitable holes, and they're the judge of what's suitable. If the weakest is driven out, he may fall afoul of another species. Usually, however, it's them. The numbers will decline until the chromis are content with their own number---rarely until there are none, but if that does happen, there's something in there that doesn't want them.

 

[BigJohnny]

I don't have trouble with them as a rule. What many people experience is done by the chromis themselves---as they attempt to find night-holes. They're operating on auto-pilot, want their holes, and weaker loses and gets beaten up. They'll adjust their own numbers to the available suitable holes, and they're the judge of what's suitable. If the weakest is driven out, he may fall afoul of another species. Usually, however, it's them. The numbers will decline until the chromis are content with their own number---rarely until there are none, but if that does happen, there's something in there that doesn't want them.

Cool thanks. I think ill just get 1 so I don't even have to worry. It's a 50b so not much room anyway.

Question on everyone regarding QT for Uronema Marinum.

Is PraziPro sufficient? It's a parasite so I assume so. I also have paraguard but thought that was only for brook/velvet.

 

[ThRoewer]

If you want to be extra sure you can dose the QT with a full dose of Chloroquine Phosphate as a preventive measure.
While not yet scientifically proven to "cure" infected fish of an Uronema infection it has been shown that CP will kill Uronema on deceased fish.
More about it here: Chloroquine: A "New" Drug for Treating Fish Diseases

 

[Irishdolphin]

i don't have trouble with them as a rule. What many people experience is done by the chromis themselves---as they attempt to find night-holes. They're operating on auto-pilot, want their holes, and weaker loses and gets beaten up. They'll adjust their own numbers to the available suitable holes, and they're the judge of what's suitable. If the weakest is driven out, he may fall afoul of another species. Usually, however, it's them. The numbers will decline until the chromis are content with their own number---rarely until there are none, but if that does happen, there's something in there that doesn't want them.

+1