Mystery killer - for weeks now

[silverfishar]

I have lost half of my fish livestock in the last 2 months to some phantom killer and I need suggestions. I am skeptical of a hitchhiking predator because I frequently see dead fish, like my clown goby being eaten by hermits. I have lost various wrasses, bangai cardinal, 3 different firefish, watchman goby and most recently my porcelain crab just died. The crab had been in my tank for a year.

I am suspecting a bacterial problem, as I have gone through an aptaisia and cyano bloom each this year, but have no way to prove it.

Any suggestions?

 

[sandwi54]

likely some parasites that kill quickly, velvet or brooklynella. did you see any signs at all? did you quarantine your fish prior to adding them to the DT?

 

[silverfishar]

I acclimate with water mixing, and freshwater dip, but don't have a quarantine for weeks or anything like that.

 

[MrTuskfish]

I acclimate with water mixing, and freshwater dip, but don't have a quarantine for weeks or anything like that.

Unless you start using a QT, you'll never know whats going into your tank.

 

[sandwi54]

If you don't see obvious signs of disease, it could perhaps be a predator that hunts at night. After the tank light goes out, take a small flash light and put a red filter on it, shine it into the tank and see if you spot any predators, e.g., mantis shrimp, coral banded shrimps, etc.

 

[redneckgearhead]

What are your tank params? Ammonia, nitrites, trates, PH, temp, SG? Are the fish established and eating well and then just dieing or what? What are the other inhabitants in your tank?

 

[silverfishar]

params are all in the midranges:

Alk 9
Salinity 1.026
zeros on the ammonias and stuff
Temp 79

I lost my Vlamingi today. For the first time I have a repeat physical symptom.

Nasty lesion behind the dorsal. I have a pic from today and one from a firefish I lost about 6 weeks ago.

Let me know if it means anything to you all

 

[joaovieira]

I could only open the fire fish pic. I think it is has a bacterial infection possibly associated with fungal infection. I would treat for both. Are the lesions ulcers ? Obviously a pristine water is mandatory. Thois disease can be related to some predator atack as previously suggested. So please check it out with attention. the disease can be transmissible to other healthy fishes. I would isolate the diseased fishes as soon as possible and treat them and leave the healthy fishes alone at this moment. Obviously if they develop infection then treat them.

 

[silverfishar]

Is there a recommended treatment?