Paper Thin Yellow Tang

[BGFOWLRGUY]

I've got a 3" Yellow Tang in my 165 gallon FOWLR tank. The fish is active and eats everyday. It seems to prefer Spirulina flake over any frozen or pellet food I use. Over time the Tang has become paper thin. I'm wondering if it might have internal parasites as I see no external issues. What would be the best treatment plan for this fish. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[HumbleFish]

Could be internal parasites, specifically intestinal. Have you seen any stringy white poop coming out it's butt?

 

[ca1ore]

Well, if you have had it for a while (longer than 6 months) then I'd go with some kin dof internal parasite. If it is new, than you can add chemical poisoning (cyanide, copper, etc.) to the list.

 

[BGFOWLRGUY]

Thanks for the replies. I've had the fish exactly 7 months. Have not noticed any stringy white poop. If it is internal parasites what would be the best treatment.

 

[HumbleFish]

Thanks for the replies. I've had the fish exactly 7 months. Have not noticed any stringy white poop. If it is internal parasites what would be the best treatment.

Soak his food with metronidazole.

 

[BGFOWLRGUY]

Soak his food with metronidazole.

Thank you. Could I feed the soaked food to the whole tank or should I remove the Tang to QT. The only problem with removing to QT is that the QT is tied up right now with some new additions.

 

[HumbleFish]

Thank you. Could I feed the soaked food to the whole tank or should I remove the Tang to QT. The only problem with removing to QT is that the QT is tied up right now with some new additions.

Yes, you can soak food with metro in the DT. But be conservative with it. You don't want too much leaching out into the water column.

 

[BGFOWLRGUY]

I purchased some flake with metro and fed for two weeks. There has been no noticeable improvement with the Tang. Is there something else I can try?

 

[alprazo]

Metro will only treat some Protozoa and bacteria You likely have cestodes or some other intestinal tode. Praziquantel, levamisole and febendazole should all be employed in that order.

 

[BGFOWLRGUY]

Thanks for the reply. I need to Google those medications and see what is involved. I'm thinking hospital tank and not trying to treat the display tank.

 

[alprazo]

Praziquantel can be found at LFS. Levamisole can be purchased at Tractor Supply. Febendazole, albendazole or mebendazole can be found online. The latter has significant liver toxicity, so use them last and only if necessary.

 

[alprazo]

Also, only the fish needs to be treated, though the meds are relatively reef safe excluding worms, dusters, etc...

 

[BGFOWLRGUY]

Thanks for more replies. Timing is good. My QT/hospital tank will be free as of this weekend.