Major Issue with Tangs

hard2bej

New member
Hey everyone, I have a big bummer and I have no idea what is causing it. I have a 125 gal reef tank with a 40 gal sump. I had a yellow tang and a purple tang with 2 clowns, cardinal, damsel, blenny, and a royal gamma. 2 days ago I noticed my purple was breathing extra heavy, still ate so I just monitored, next day I noticed my yellow was now breathing heavy and now neither would eat. Now today both are dead, about 24 hours after seeing the labored breathing. The tank is over 5 years old and ive had both fish for over 4 years, last addition was 6 months ago and was in QT for 21 days in copper and prazipro. I immediately did a water change in case something got spilled into the tank and ran carbon. I also put in airstones to increase the oxygen. the salinity is at 1.025 refractometer, checked ammonia and is at zero, all other levels are within range. no temp spikes nothing out of the ordinary, seems to only be affecting the tangs? all coral and inverts are good. I did chemiclean about 2 months ago to clear up some cyano, no issues then. No visual signs on the fish, no spots, did notice some redness at the tail section near death. its very depressing especially since I have no idea why! almost want to quit the hobby :(
 
Sounds like diease or poisoning when dead in 2 days after 5 years in the tank.
The redness at the tail is of concern.

You describe rapid gilling which is when the fish cannot get enough oxygen. Low oxygen water is one cause, ammonia is the second, and parasite in the gills is likely.

My guess is velvet but I would treat survivors and DT like Ick.
 
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The last wet thing I put in the tank was a water change at the beginning of the month, otherwise I fed LRS frozen every night before bed. I had treated my tank with chemiclean to get rid of cyano back in December and did a couple of water changes after to get the chemiclean out. Unless my kids dumped something in that I don't know about, I didn't have any weird foaming or skimmer going crazy though. My first thought was velvet but none of the fish showed any spots of any kind even after death.
 
The last wet thing I put in the tank was a water change at the beginning of the month, otherwise I fed LRS frozen every night before bed. I had treated my tank with chemiclean to get rid of cyano back in December and did a couple of water changes after to get the chemiclean out. Unless my kids dumped something in that I don’t know about, I didn’t have any weird foaming or skimmer going crazy though. My first thought was velvet but none of the fish showed any spots of any kind even after death.

Kids Dumping? Oh sure. Blame the kids....just kidding.....

I would concur with Tripod1404.
 
Wow..... sorry for your loss! I had something similar last June. I lost 2 Angels, a Midas Blenny, and a Potters Wrasse in a couple of days time. All were in the tank for several years. Also I had no new additions for several months prior to that. No rapid breathing though. Both Angels did have a red scrape on their sides at the time of their death. All my parameters were in check also. I suspect it was a bacterial infection. However I don't know for sure. The rest of my fish we're not affected and are still thriving today.

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