Prophylactic treatment causing color loss

[adova]

I had a series of fish going through QT TTM. After that they went into another holding tank where I was administering PraziPro and Chloroquine Phosphate.

About three days after starting that, I had a pump failure and all fish were on the bottom of the QT (presumably dead). As I was getting ready to throw them in the trash, I saw the purple tang take a breath. I got him into a bucket of new water and revived with an airstone.

After two days in a new QT tank, he was looking remarkably good and color was great. I resumed the two Prophylactic treatments. Now, two days later, his appetite has subdued and his color is fading from the outside in.

I know that these treatments can suppress appetite and my other fish have had lackluster color when in QT during treatment. Should I do a large water change and hold off on any more treatment? Or could the treatment be helping an existing disease?

Thanks!

Shawn

 

[Newsmyrna80]

Definitely do a water change and cease treatments. Can you post a pic? The lack of color and appetite is concerning. I'm wondering if you are not dealing with Brook or velvet and the lack of oxygen just exasperated it.
How long was the pump down before you noticed they were in the bottom of the tank?

 

[adova]

The pump was off about 10 - 12 hrs. 3 tangs in a 36g cube. To be honest, I was a little shocked that they could have depleted the tank that quickly seeing as fish travel in small bags for shipping. Although I guess they pump some pure O2 into the bag before they ship out.

I will see if I can get a pic this afternoon when I get home...

Shawn

 

[Dmorty217]

Where did you get the CP from is the first question?

 

[adova]

I got it from my LFS - they don't sell it normally, but sold me a little just to go through a few cycles of QT. I have used it in 3 QT rounds other than this.

On a plus side, the fish seems to have regained his color, although appetite seems lackluster still.

 

[Newsmyrna80]

Did you do the water change?

 

[adova]

Working on it tonight - had to make up some water. His color started fading again. I am going to do a 100%... I will update after a day or so with results.

 

[adova]

Here is a pic. His breathing seems super heavy as well...

 

[adova]

This tang must have a death wish - I ran to Home Depot and the tang jumped out of the tank! I have not heard of tangs being jumpers. I put him back in and he looks ok, but sheesh!!

On a positive note, 36 hrs since putting in the un-medicated tank and he is eating much better...

 

[Newsmyrna80]

Keep us posted!

 

[adova]

He is still not acting very healthy. Very rapid breathing. Then I came across a post that suggested that the HOB filters do not do an adequate job of aerating the water for tangs. This insight, along with the fact that the 3 fish died (save the purple tang for now) after < 10 hrs of HOB filter action makes me think this might be a factor.

I put in a x-large airstone and killed the lights. If I am right, I should see marked improvement in the morning.

 

[adova]

Things got progressively worse today. My wife called at Noon to say that he looked like he was dying. True enough he was almost white. His rapid breathing has me looking at possible Velvet.

I set up a new 20g and administered the PraziPro and Chloroquine and continued the large air stone to help oxygenate the water. Lights are off. Hopefully this will help. More updates in the morning...

 

[dh350twin]

Hope he pulls thru

 

[Newsmyrna80]

I would stop the Prazi for now and continue with CP. I know you got the CP for the LFS but do you know their source or brand? You may want to get some on your own. I went through a similar situation a few years ago. A fish med company (will remain nameless) sent me their CP and I administered. It helped the fish for a little while but they eventually died from velvet.

 

[adova]

I had already administered the Prazi, so I would need to do another tank transfer to stop it. Why do you recommend stopping it, though - just to cool down the amount of meds?

Not sure where the LFS got this, but the package looked legit. I am not sure where else I could get it, either...

 

[Newsmyrna80]

At this point it's just adding undue stress on the fish. Granted it is a fairly well tolerated med but it does/can affect appetite and water oxygenation and at this point it does not appear flukes is the problem.
As far as a source I've read other reefers buy it online and have had great success with it.

 

[adova]

Well, the fish looks healthy and color is good, but appetite is gone entirely. I think I am going to move to a fresh tank and just dose the CP. I really want to keep the CP going for a full 2 weeks.

Suggestions?

 

[adova]

It has been 3-4 days without medication and still not a bite to eat. How long can this go on for safely? Any suggestions?

 

[Dmorty217]

10 days in CP is sufficient for a cure. I just did this and it worked 100%

 

[adova]

10 days in CP is sufficient for a cure. I just did this and it worked 100%

I wasn't really worried about the CP anymore - just wondering what I should do about the loss of appetite. Would you go to the DT or wait until he starts eating again?