Naso Tang - Quick Death, looking to ID why

[smb2415]

The Naso was fine this afternoon and no apparent spots as seen in photos, I came home at 5pm and he was dead. Was previously eating. A bit shy but nothing I was concerned with. The spots may have been caused during my removal of him from the rocks he died in, but I think the spots are more likely related to the disease, not sure on this.

No other fish appear to have any issues, including other tangs.

Water params are ok, Nitrates a bit high at 25.
temp 77f
Nitrate 25
amm 0
nitrite 0
ph 8.0

 

[smb2415]

I should add that Ive had him for about 3weeks. I did not QT him (even though I know better).

 

[smb2415]

So far I am thinking.

Columnaris
Grayish-white film on skin, damaged fins, ulcers, yellow to gray patches on gills, tissue on head may be eaten away. Columnaris (Cotton Wool Disease) Must be treated immediately with Over-the-counter antibiotic medications. Very contagious disinfect tank, rocks, net, etc.

Or Velvet
Scratching, small gold to white spots, loss of color, weight loss, difficulty breathing due to gill damage. Velvet (Gold Dust Disease) OTC medication for parasites.


he was not scratching at all.... hmmm

 

[smb2415]

The spots are not raised

 

[snorvich]

If he was reclusive, that is avoiding light, hanging near the water returns, and had a light sheen, it would likely be velvet. The 3 week mortality time line is consistent with that. If there was blotchy patches, perhaps uronema or brook (which normally has peeling skin). If there was a sprinkling of salt, ich, but the mortality is not consistent with that. Hard to say after the fact.

 

[ca1ore]

Naso's go blotchy when they are stressed, and dead, so may have nothing to do with what killed it.

 

[snorvich]

Naso's go blotchy when they are stressed, and dead, so may have nothing to do with what killed it.

I know. I am trying to guess after the fact and there are very few clues other than mortality time line.

 

[smb2415]

The blotches are what got me. Otherwise I saw no indications of impending death of illness.

Just prior to 5pm I got a call from home saying he was breathing rapidly and lying on his side.

In the preceding days it didn't seem as though he was avoiding light, scratching or anything out of norm. Yesterday was the first day I saw him hanging out in one spot along the bottom but not on it nor motionless.

My main concern is if whatever he had is contagious, Id rather get a jump on it..

 

[smb2415]

unfortunately the spots are really all I have to go on. internet searches only pointed to Columnaris or velvet. Although velvet supposedly presents with goldish spots "sprinkled about the body" and scratching... he had neither.

I am now looking into if it is worth having a microscope and a marine vet textbook.... I just feel like I should know more about health problems. I at least can recognize and point to problems with cats, dogs, and people so not begin able to do the same for fish is frustrating.

 

[smb2415]

After reviewing the video sent to me this afternoon, it does appear as though the spots appeared before he died.

View My Video

 

[MrTuskfish]

I don't think the spots are a sign of anything, other than the fish's death, there probably were some of the same "stress" spots sometime before it died. Sometimes this just happens, especially during the acclimation period and I doubt you'll ever have even a good guess of why it died. BTW, the nitrates are no factor,(most cma) fish aren't bothered by nitrate at levels found in our tanks. Nitrate is a coral/invert concern.

 

[Deinonych]

Cyanide capture is another possibility, although there's no way to know for sure. Agree with Mr. Tuskfish, sometimes fish simply don't acclimate to captive life.

 

[ca1ore]

I've never had much luck with Naso's and though they carry the label of being 'easy' I don't find them to be at all. I recently had a naso go through 12 weeks of QT, show absolutely no problems, get introduced to my DT and within two days was dead with similar patches. No idea why. It did get pinned to the side of my vortech pump, but generally healthy fish can avoid them, so ........

 

[smb2415]

This is my second. The first didn't eat well and then passed away after about 2 weeks in QT. I believed it was related to stress of being in QT without familiar surroundings. This time I opted to take the risk and introduce into DT as to relive the stress and hope for better outcome. no such luck.. and no answers.

 

[snorvich]

From the video, it seems like premortem blotches rather than evidence of brook or uronema which don't present like that. Very sorry, I know it must be frustrating and sad.

 

[Yellow05gt]

I had a powder blue do the same thing last week. He was eating like a champ, swimming around enjoying life it looked like and then the next morning I woke up and he was dead. Nothing on him at all. I guess it just happens.

 

[smb2415]

So far no other casualties. It is however frustrating as to how one can die soo quickly without symptoms.

 

[MrTuskfish]

So far no other casualties. It is however frustrating as to how one can die soo quickly without symptoms.

This is not at all uncommon. Happens to everyone at some time.

 

[The Big Chill]

Same here....Naso Tangs are the only fish I have not had any luck with. I have raised Sailfin, Blue, Yellow, Kole tangs all with 100% success. But never had success with a Naso and I have tried 2 times. One died in QT and the other died in my DT. I also have Lemark and Rusty Angels, Fairy Wrasses, Diamond Goby and a Lawnmower Blenny in a 120G. All healthy no problems. But let me bring a Naso home and I can't seem to keep them for any extended period. First they stop eating and then they seem to essentially starve themselves to death. Tried Nori, Garlic Brine and Mysis Shrimp, Spirulina....everything and still no appetite and ultimately death. All parameters are excellent, corals thrivings etc. Had tank up for over 3 years, no other casualties.