Sick Vlamingi Tang!!

[tangman24]

Hi guys,

I'm in serious need of some help with my sick tang. Below are just some details fo my fish only marine tank.

ph: 8.0
s.g:1.025
ammonia: 0
nitrite: less 5
nitrate: 0
temp: 27.5
copper: 1

Fish:
vlamingi tang * 3
naso tang*1
pinktail trigger*1
foxface*2

I've been running copper rods in my tank for about 2 months (this was recommended by my LFS) as i had a bad out break of white spot. Two days ago i added a larger vlamingi tang plus the pinktail trigger. Since then I've notice my new vlamingi has started to get small brown spots/pacthes all over his body. These small brown spot/paches seem to come and go on different parts of the body. Also the front fins on most of my fishes seem to be have these cloudy small spot/pacthes as well.

My LFS said to try some Melafix to see if that would work. I've tried that for two days with no luck on getting the brown spots of the tang but seems to be helping a bit with the cloudy pacthes on the front fins.

Today I went to a different aquarium shop, they suggested i use Myxazin medication as they believe it most likely bacterial.

By the way they fish are eating as usual but sometimes they will dart around (may be due to the bacteria or parasites).


I would appreciate any advice you guys can give me in solving this problem. I've only started in the marine field for about a few months and therefore would appreciate as much help as u guys can give in terms of a cure.



Hope to hear from u guys!
Han

 

[Percula9]

According to the readings you posted, it says you have nitrites. There should be no nitrites in a fully cycled tank. Did you post corectly? That nitrites were 5 and nitrates were 0. If the readings are correct nitrite is causing the problem. If you put to many fish in at once into a cycled tank nitites can start showing up. You have pushed the biofilter beyond its ability to convert fast enough. Do a water change if those readings are correct.

 

[tangman24]

Hi Percula9,

The readings should have said 0.00 for both nitrites and nitrates. I've checked the readings again. The brown spot/patches seems to only effect my tangs, none of the other fish are effected by these brown spots. Since yesterday, the spots have started to cover the fins as well. It looks like I might lose all my tangs at this rate.

 

[Percula9]

It must be a bacterial infection, if you can remove to quarantine tank and treat for seven days with furan2.

 

[fishyvet]

Have you considered Turbellarians (black ich)? Without pics and/or diagnostics it is tough to say what may be causing your tangs problems. You have listed some enormous fish for your stock and I am concerned that crowding may be contributing to your problems.

 

[tangman24]

Hi fishyvet,


I have considered that it could be black ich however the brown stuff that is all over this fish is more like patches rather than small specs which blck ich usually looks like. If it is black ich, what would be the best cure (I've been recommended to do a freshwater bath for the fish for a few mins). Do you believe this would work?

 

[Percula9]

To treat black ich a fresh water dip then treat with a formalin based medication. Copper is useless against black ich. But from the way you described, it doesn't sound like black ich.