Tang Rapid Breathing

[mangelo]

I've had a Vlamingi Tang for about 6 years. The past week he's been breathing rapidly and not moving as much. I know that Nitrities cause poor oxygen utilization, but all of my water parameters are perfect.

Any tips?

 

[Dr. Reef]

how big is the tank and other tank mates?

 

[mangelo]

It's a 180. I have a blue hippo tang, a gold Naso tang, 3 chromis, and a cleaner wrasse.

 

[Skynyrd Fish]

Any recent tank additions?

 

[mangelo]

I think I've gotten an outbreak of ich. My other tangs are acting perfectly normal. I always QT before main. Does adding an air stone help with the breathing?

 

[hollister]

Do you have a lid?
Whats used for water flow in there?

 

[mangelo]

I have lids. I have 2 powerheads. The return from my sump is strong and I have it almost even with the top of the water to keep it agitated.

 

[b0bab0ey]

Could be parasites (Ich) in the gills. What are your QT procedures? When was the last fish/coral/invert added?

 

[hollister]

What size power heads , there flow rating. Your salt water tank recieves oxygen from the surface and expends nitrogen. Low flow and air restriction could cause this. common low oxygen reaction.

Easy try , remove lids and maybe add little more flow if needed.

 

[mangelo]

There are holes in the lids. I'm sure there meant for fingers.

My QT procedure is 20% water change. I sometimes treat with Melafix or Metro depending on the fish condition. I usually leave the fish in for at least 2 weeks and until they have taken to frozen.

I believe the powerheads are Coralia 2

 

[hollister]

A couple holes dont do it. In a newier tank this might have been fine but an older tank could be building up nitrogen and reduced in oxygen. Rapid breathing good sign of this.

And you want a minimum amount of flow in there.

 

[mangelo]

A minimum amount of flow? This is a FOWLR by the way.

 

[b0bab0ey]

My QT procedure is 20% water change. I sometimes treat with Melafix or Metro depending on the fish condition.

Neither will prevent or treat Crypto (s/w Ich).

I usually leave the fish in for at least 2 weeks and until they have taken to frozen.

2 weeks is not enough time for symptoms of Crypto to manifest themselves.

 

[mangelo]

I really don't like treating my main tank, but is there anything that is recommended?

 

[b0bab0ey]

I really don't like treating my main tank, but is there anything that is recommended?

I don't have any experience doing this myself, but I've read some posts on here from people with FOWLR who have done hypo in their DT. You'll kill some bacteria in your LR, but not enough to uncycle it from what I have read.

 

[hollister]

10 to 15 GPH times tank size is minimum amount.

 

[hollister]

In a FO depending on amount of stock and size you could go more.

 

[mangelo]

From what I just read, Koralia 2 is 600g/h. I am definitely under. How should I aim them?

 

[hollister]

Yea you want twice that. Removeing lids and maybe pointing one up to move surface may help but i would get more flow in there asap.

 

[mangelo]

I have 2 in there. I'm about to add a 3rd. Normally, should I aim them any particular way?