Fish Emergency, Please Help!

[CTMichele]

Hi everyone,
I am new to this forum but have been looking at many of the posts.

I'm having a major emergency and would really appreciate any advice.
I have a 55 gallon tank, nothing fancy with 2 fish. That's it. I've had them for years and over time others have died and I'm now left with these 2, fearing that it might be approaching 1.

I have a sailfin tang. It has HLLE and has had it for years. It has never effected it other than looking ugly until a few days ago. A good portion of his face has eroded away and his dorsal fin isn't really like a sail anymore, but he's been happy and healthy.

I have a ground probe and for the most part my water is okay (although in the last few months I've let the water changes slip since I got yelled at from the guy at the fish store for my water being too clean). They have a variety of food: Formula 1, Pro-V, Mysis or Brine or clam, Nori (not everything each day) and for vitamis: selcon and vitachem.

A couple of days ago I noticed that he wasn't really changing colors like he usually does, he has been staying dark and hanging out just in one corner of the tank at the top. Tonight his breathing is labored and he wouldn't eat anything~ this is not typical. I did a 10 gallon water change and even added the battery powered aerator. But have had no results. My other fish is a French Angel that is acting fine and ate all of the food.

Any suggestions for anything I can do to save this guy? I really don't want to loose him (as ugly as he's gotten over the years, I like him).

Thank you in advance.....

 

[ReefGirlSara]

I don't know that much about fish disease, but I would say it is an issue of his environment. The water changes are important to provide trace elements among other things. But probably the biggest problem is that he is quickly outgrowing your 55g tank. A sailfin should really have more swimming and grazing room, in my opinion. I think any research on these tangs would say they need a bigger tank than a 4 foot 55g.

I love sailfins, but I decided to wait to get one when I have a much larger tank - right now my biggest is a 90 gallon tank. I am sorry you are going through this with your fish, I know it is sad. If you know someone with a bigger tank and great water quality that would be willing to give him a foster home until you get a bigger tank that might be a good idea.

 

[Recty]

Water being too clean? That isnt something I'd worry about, not at all. If you used to do regular water changes, have stopped now and your fish are starting to show signs of sickness, I'd resume doing more regular water changes.

Nitrates can build up rather quickly if you stop doing water changes. Do you run a skimmer? What is your filtration like?

Ideally, do a nice big water change now, like 30%. See if he perks up. If he isnt showing any external problems other than HLLE, your best bet is to do the water change because right now it's just a guess as to what is ailing him.

 

[gatordvm]

Please do not think I am trying to pick on you but environment is defiantly top of the list. If your fish has had HLLE for a couple of years, it has been compromised for some time (btw, a fish with HLLE is NOT healthy in my book). A sailfin should outgrow a 55 gal set up within about a year IME. The exact cause for HLLE in marine fish is not entirely known but improvement has been seen with dietary modifications (should be getting nori every day), additional live rock, improved water quality, removing stray current, ect. The change in coloration is a sign of stress, and from your description of the situation, I suspect the prognosis for recovery is pretty guarded. If he does recover, I would seriously suggest finding a larger home for him.

The water change and adding aeration is what I would have suggested for the description of the problem. If there have been any recent additions to the tank, I would consider parasites (particularly gill flukes and ich in the gills) as potential causes. Any potential toxin (Windex, burning scented candles/incense, pesticides) exposure?

 

[Salty Joy]

HLLE is not fatal to an extent. Long term the holes in the body can provide access for other bacterial and fungal infections....which may be your problem. Also the too small environment coupled with the HLLE not being taken care of in the first place is a breeding ground for disaster. Put in some epsom salts, I would say a teaspoon per every 2 gallons. It may help. I would also get some vitamins...they think HLLE may be caused by vitamin C or D deficiency. If you do have a secondary infection, which I think is the case, you may need to treat with metronidazole.

Good luck to you....not fun stuff..:sad2:

 

[CTMichele]

Thanks for your help.

He died the next day. I did the water change and added the aerator. It didn't work. I also checked the water and everything was fine. I don't know what happened so suddenly. Maybe they were just too big for the tank.

Anyway, thanks again for the advice.

 

[limitdown]

Have you tested your water parameters lately? Make sure that you're getting zero for ammonia and under 30 for nitrates. HLLE is often a result of poor water quality (ie high nitrates). To keep nitrates in check, change water more often and or grow chaetomorpha (macroalgae) in your sump.

Also soak food in garlic, selco and vitamin C. Feed seaweed/nori on a clip a few times a week.