raw spots on chromis'? Please help and identify.

[rsteagall]

Came home this evening and the last chromis was near death sucked up to a powerhead. Maybe I didn't get him in qt soon enough. Maybe the 1/2tsp of terramycine did him in. Who knows.

Well, at least maybe I've learned the importance of QT'ing early and how to setup a QT Tank.

As far as my main tank. All other fish are doing well. I hope this was just caused by the emerald crab that in turn created a bacterial infection.

 

[Pandora]

I'm really sorry to hear about that Especially after you went through all that! But sad as it is, even the worst experiences are learning ones... maybe more so than the good ones....

I'm not sure about it doing him in so far as overdosing (appreciate Rondelet's input above, I have also found that a true OD is not common, but I think that often treatments and just the act of transfer to QT can be stressful, and fish can be far gone as it is by that time). Sometimes meds do compound the issue a little because they interfere with gill membrane transport (the aeration issue again). It is so hard to separate everything out unfortunately

Also hard to say how it started. Sometimes fish that are stressed will come down with infections that a healthy fish would fight off easily... just like with people who get sick when they are juggling emotional stress in other things. Maybe they were trying to establish a pecking order and that started off things. Or maybe it's just they got infected in the store, but you didn't notice until they were brought home... another reason for QT. Either way, don't beat yourself over it now, you did what you could, and you know better what to do for the future. Good luck!

 

[rsteagall]

I tend to think something (ie: emerald crab) must have inflicted the wounds. These chromis have been living fine in my tank since LAST JUNE or about 7 months. So, they weren't new fish at all.

Thanks for everyone's comments and suggestions.

-Ryan

 

[Rondelet]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6598114#post6598114 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rsteagall
I tend to think something (ie: emerald crab) must have inflicted the wounds.

I would be inclined to agree. I would remove the crab, if you haven't done so already. You can throw him in your sump (if you have one) for the time being. But also be on the look out similar signs to show up on other fish, as you can never be sure what causes these types of problems to appear. As a precaution, for the next couple of months, I would keep your Q tank running and allow it to cycle in case you find you need it again.

 

[Pandora]

Ryan, oohhh, I misread that before as the emerald being a *carrier* of the disease into the tank... not the injurer. In that case, yes, it's possible. Chromis are fast fish, but not when they're sleeping. My own emeralds don't bother my fish, but the crabs are still quite small, and I know larger ones can be pests.

Either way, don't be discouraged.

 

[rsteagall]

I think everything else in my tank is top notch. no I don't test as much as I should... but everything except these 2 chromis look healthy. Coraline is growing great and all my corals are fine. Clowns look like they are about to get freaky

Today I used Flatworm eXit for a very small infestation I had. It went well with no side effects on anything. Not to hijack this thread... but you can read about it and participate here:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=762596

I guess I'd have to attribute the injuries to the emerald crab, or pecking order of some sort. ???? I dunno.