Naso Tangs impending demise what could cause?

andrewkw

Active member
I really think it's too late to save her but obviously would like to know what happened.

Fish is about 6" No signs of streamers so maybe female. I've had since November 2014. Treated with copper initially for ich, got exposed to ich second time in display and was treated with tank transfers. This was 1 year ago. Lived in 180 gallon tank up until about 2 weeks ago.

I came home one day shocked to find her stuck to powerhead. I've seen posts like this before and I do agree a healthy fish should not get stuck on a powerhead. However fish showed no signs of illness no fighting with tankmates. After getting stuck I placed her in my 112 gallon refuge. In there its just him and a copperband butterfly & a haddoni anemone. There is also plenty of caulerpa which she has been eating. In addition I feed LRS food almost every day. Initially I found the Naso on her side and I thought maybe she was stung but there is no signs of a sting. No external injuries at all. She just lays on her side and barely moves. I tried putting her directly in front of the powerhead in my hand getting more oxygen and she swam around a bit but an hour later back on her side.

All other fish are fine eating, swimming acting normal. The only issue I am having in the reef is there is cyano. Corals are fine otherwise. Given that corals are fine I have not rushed to test CA/ALK ect as it's unlikely the Naso is the first to fall victim to some strange parameter swing. I have not added anything to the tank in many months. Nothing wet. What could this be?
 
Unfortunately she did pass away last night. I dipped the body in freshwater to see if anything would come off but nothing. If I wasn't so squeemish and actually knew what to look for I would cut the bottom open. Seeing as I am I guess I will never know. While less than 2 years is not a long time for a fish. I fully expected to have this Naso for 20.
 
Had the same thing happen about a month ago with a very healthy Naso - no idea what happened. Beautiful & healthy, active fish. Overnight bam -stuck to a powerhead the next day, dead.
 
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