Vlamingi tang disease

[cfryers]

Hello all, I have a Vlamingi tang that seems to have some form of disease. I don't believe it is lateral line, or hole in the head. I have been treating for the past 5 days with melafix and no luck there either. Any ideas on what this might be, or what I can treat it with?

 

[Reefstarter2]

Looks like a bacterial infection of some sort . But would rather see someone with a bit more experience chime in on this one

 

[Dmorty217]

Looks like urenoma kinda, when was the last fish added to the tank? Were any fish QTed?

 

[cfryers]

She has been in the tank for 3 months. We noticed a very small spot of this one them when we first added her, and it has continued to spread for the past months. She seems healthy otherwise, and is a hearty eater. She was quarantined at Sustainable Ocean Supply.

 

[Dmorty217]

It's for sure something. Good water quality and proper feeding may work for fungal, if it's bacterial then broad spectrum antibiotics and if it's Urenoma formalin baths

 

[Deinonych]

I'd start with a broad-spectrum antibiotic first (kanamycin or nitrofurazone), as that will be the least stressful for the fish. If that doesn't resolve the problem, then move to other potential treatment options. Treat in a dedicated hospital tank, though...not the display.

 

[cfryers]

I have set up a hospital tank, and I am going to treat with API's Furan-2 (Nitrofurazone). I'll keep you posted.

 

[cfryers]

I was looking up Furan-2, and API's site seems to be pointing me to PimaFix. Is PimaFix worth a shot?

 

[Deinonych]

I was looking up Furan-2, and API's site seems to be pointing me to PimaFix. Is PimaFix worth a shot?

Neither Pimafix nor Melafix are worth the money. They are "natural" treatments that don't specify exactly which pathogens they treat. Best to use a proper antibiotic. If you can't find Furan-2 locally, Amazon carries it (they carry Seachem Kanaplex as well):

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007R5M5CC

 

[cfryers]

We made a trip to one of our coral distributors yesterday, and they happened to have bulk nitrofurizone, as they use it for their fish. I picked up 10g of it. I dosed at 4g for a 20 gallon tank. Let that dissolve for about 12 hours, then put "lucy" in for about 3 hours. She is now out of the hospital tank into an isolated quarantine tank, we will see how she does. If this is not bacterial, and is fungal, what product would you recommend I try.

 

[cfryers]

I don't want to jump the gun here, but Lucy's disease does seem to be less visible today, fingers crossed. It has been 24 hours since I removed her from the hospital tank and moved her to the isolated quarantine tank. Should I put her back in the hospital tank for a second round at some point? How long should I wait before I do?

 

[Deinonych]

Antibiotics need to be administered for a prolonged period to have effect. 7-10 days in the typical treatment period. Incomplete treatments can actually make the problem worse, as it can build resistance in the bacteria. I would full a full course of antibiotics and then move the fish to a clean tank (or remove the medication via water changes and/or carbon). Dosage should be around 1.25g/20 gal, but follow the manufacturer's recommendation. 4g in 20 gallons seems very high.

 

[cfryers]

The manufacturers dosage instructions said to use one of the following:
1. 380mg/gallon for 30 minutes
2. 38mg/gallon for 6-12 hours
3. 7.6mg/gallon for 5-10 days

 

[Deinonych]

The manufacturers dosage instructions said to use one of the following:
1. 380mg/gallon for 30 minutes
2. 38mg/gallon for 6-12 hours
3. 7.6mg/gallon for 5-10 days

I would go with option #3. Prolonged exposure to the medication will ensure the pathogenic bacteria are destroyed. Be sure to keep an eye on ammonia, as any beneficial bacteria in the QT will be eliminated as well.