Domino not looking good!!!

[talon4x4]

I just took a look at my domino, noticed he was sitting on the bottom, and it looks like he is losing his color, turning almost gray around the middle (head and tail still black). A quick test of the water shows ammonia = 0, nitrite=0, pH=8.2 and nitrate=40/ppm(can't find a cleaner shirmp so that is suspect) Only other tank mate is a blue/green chromis, some inverts and a BTA. He also seems very skiddish, normally very bold. I just did a 5 gal WC, its a 35gal tank. I threw some food in (live brine) and he had no problem chasing after it.

Any ideas?!?!?

 

[talon4x4]

Anyone out there have any ideas?!?! The scales around the middle of his body are opaque, head and tail are still black. I think I see small white spots (like dust) but its hard to tall as he continues to hide.

He still is eating without a problem.

Could it be marine "ich"??

 

[kevin2000]

How long have you had the fish? Any new fish introductions lately? Were the fish QT'd before placing into the show tank? Can you provide a picture?

 

[talon4x4]

The fish is 2.5years old. He was moved to my house about 6 months ago. He started getting aggressive with other fish about 1.5 months ago, at which time he was moved into a 35gal tank that was setup to be a reef tank. So he has been in the 35 gal tank for 1.5 months. I recently added some snails and a BTA to the tank.

Can't get a picture, every time I get near the tank he hides, he has become VERY skiddish.

 

[kevin2000]

Not sure I followed all that.

Sound like you have had this fish for six months and you have moved him between two tanks. Has either of these tanks held diseased fish or had fish die in them before?

Opaque coloring doesn't say much .. but fish with marine velvet and brooklynella often develope an either an opque sheen +/or hanging mucas ... however both these diseases are pretty quick killers and if you haven't introduced any new fish or you haven't had any recent deaths/unknown disease problems they drop down the list of potential problems.

Its possible you domino and chromi got into a fight and your fish was injured ... if so then your opaque color may be the result of that injury .. maybe a bacterial infection. I suppose being stung by the anemone is also probable.

You should consider setting up a QT .... if the fish has a bacterial infection which doesn't clear up on its own a QT will come in handy because antibitoics really don't belong in a show tank. If the fish has a parasite issue then QT will also be required.

Hope this helps.

 

[talon4x4]

Sorry about that.....yes I have had the fish for 6 months. I bought the whole setup from a friend who was moving out of state and couldn't take it. He had everything, including the domino for 2.5years. Then about 1.5 months ago I moved the domino into another tank.

The 55gal tank shows no sign of disease so I don't think he got it there.

A fight between the domino and chromis is not possible, the chromis is 3/4" and the domino is probably 3", he used to chase the chromis from the little den he made for himself (since he has gotten sick the chromis goes right in there with him).

The BTA is new and small he never even bothered with it. There is a condi anemone in there which has gotten large quite quickly. I did notice that it has also moved itself right above the hold he uses to get to his hiding spot. So maybe an anemone sting.

As for the coloring he used to be a very dark black. Now, when I manage to get a look at him you can almost see right through the scales around his mid-section, the head and tail are still dark.

The chromis that is in with him is fine!