ID needed for diseased Hippo

[kamil5000]

Hi,

Just noticed my hippo this morning looking really bad as you can see below.

It has been in the tank for many month (with other hippos - who are all ok - so far).

This happened just a few days after i introduced 3 chromis (after QT's with Prazipro and cuparmine - 3 weeks, as per Advanced Aquarist magazine recommendation).

three questions:

1) what is the disease?
2) what is the cure?
3) are my other fish at risk?

thanks

 

[MantisLvr]

It looks like fin tail rot but not sure what approach to use for treatment.

 

[ThRoewer]

The picture isn't good enough to make conclusive a diagnosis.
Two possible causes:
- bacterial infection (unlikely to show up on its own, so likely secondary)
- Monogeneans ("skin Flukes") - a freshwater bath or microscopic examination could bring clarity

As for the Chromis - they were insufficiently quarantined. They are also highly prone to Uronema, an especially dangerous opportunistic parasite.
Alone for that reason Chromis (especially Chromis viridis) are fish that most definitely need to be soaked well in formalin. I personally would just put them in a jar with 37% formalin, close the lid, put it on the shelf and forget it there. But for those who actually want to add them to their tank I would strongly recommend giving them a 45 minute formalin bath (1 ml 37% formalin per gallon) before adding them to the QT.
The QT I would dose prophylactically with Chloroquine Phosphate as it is likely to kill Uronema in long term exposure. It also takes care of possible Velvet.
Total quarantine time should be no less than 2 full months! Three weeks is insufficient.

 

[kamil5000]

Thanks all.

By afternoon the tang was a skeleton _ stripped clean by the clean up crew.

Now wondering if it was maybe some mechanical damage from a PH.

I just hope if it was the chromis carriers, then it does not spread any further. All other fish look healthy.

 

[snorvich]

The picture isn't good enough to make conclusive a diagnosis.
Two possible causes:
- bacterial infection (unlikely to show up on its own, so likely secondary)
- Monogeneans ("skin Flukes") - a freshwater bath or microscopic examination could bring clarity

As for the Chromis - they were insufficiently quarantined. They are also highly prone to Uronema, an especially dangerous opportunistic parasite.
Alone for that reason Chromis (especially Chromis viridis) are fish that most definitely need to be soaked well in formalin. I personally would just put them in a jar with 37% formalin, close the lid, put it on the shelf and forget it there. But for those who actually want to add them to their tank I would strongly recommend giving them a 45 minute formalin bath (1 ml 37% formalin per gallon) before adding them to the QT.
The QT I would dose prophylactically with Chloroquine Phosphate as it is likely to kill Uronema in long term exposure. It also takes care of possible Velvet.
Total quarantine time should be no less than 2 full months! Three weeks is insufficient.

Unless one has a thorough and rigorous quarantine protocol (minimum of two months), I advise not purchasing chromis. The downside risk is simply too great.

 

[microlady]

Is a six week quarantine safe for non-chromis?

 

[ThRoewer]

I go 2 months/60 days with every new fish. Suspicious fish get more.

 

[microlady]

I go 2 months/60 days with every new fish. Suspicious fish get more.

Sounds good. What's two more weeks if I can keep the nasties out.