Why does this happen to my anthias??

[blennymower]

This is the second anthia I have put into my tank. The first was very pretty and healthy when put into the tank. however, after a couple of days it developed a wound that only got worse and worse, it died. Now I have added another anthia and the same thing is happening!

What is it and what can I do?

 

[blennymower]

BTW I don't think it has to do anything to do with the fish I have.

I have four chromis, a false percula clown, an anemone, three frags, and a convict goby

 

[1DeR9_3Hy]

Its unlikely (unless they both came from the same store, and both came from the same shipment to that store) that you had identical infections back-to-back.

What more likely is something is picking on it, hitting it right in the meaty area and causing some secondary infection(s) which kill it.

Here is something to try with this one or another Anthia if this one dies. Put it in QT for a month or two, observe it and see if this happens again. If not, introduce it to your tank....and observe.

Id be willing to bet this is fish related.

 

[GlassReef]

Looks like it might be Uronema marinum, a ciliated marine parasite - especially if you bought both fish from the same LFS only days apart and they both died within 36-48 hours after bringing them home. Google Uronema marinum for more info.

 

[blennymower]

The first anthia died about a month ago. I don't see any fish picking at it and it just gets worse. Both anthias looked perfectly normal when I put them in.

Will holding a new fish by itself in one of the sump compartments suffice to oversee the fish? Things is I have no space for a QT tank.

 

[greggnyce]

The fish will be stressed already from bagging and moving it, so putting it between the baffles is not a good idea.

 

[acronautical]

Most Anthias are notoriously difficult to keep. Have you considered a pair or harem of Fairy Wrasses (Cirrhilabrus species)? Most are quite beautiful and exhibit nice sexual dimorphism (the males' color is often dramatically different than the females'). They are extremely hardy, in most instances; unless they are taken from deep water and are not acclimated to the surface properly (swim bladder problems).

 

[snorvich]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15336195#post15336195 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by acronautical
Most Anthias are notoriously difficult to keep. Have you considered a pair or harem of Fairy Wrasses (Cirrhilabrus species)? Most are quite beautiful and exhibit nice sexual dimorphism (the males' color is often dramatically different than the females'). They are extremely hardy, in most instances; unless they are taken from deep water and are not acclimated to the surface properly (swim bladder problems).

I agree. However you MUST have a covered tank for these and not egg crate.

 

[blennymower]

Thanks everyone. Well, it died last night. Good thing I decide at midnight (or later) to check out the tank and found it dead behind the rocks.

The wound you see in the picture spread and worsened.

Any other thoughts on what it could be?

 

[Gwynhidwy]

It looks like a bacterial infection to me. Could be from an opportunistic bacterium that is always present in your water, but was able to colonize this fish because it was stressed. May happen to multiple anthias because they are fairly sensitive fish in general, often difficult to acclimate to captivity, and require pristine water.

How much flow do you have in your tank? How long has the tank been set up? What quarantine process did you use for these fish?

 

[GlassReef]

Out of curiosity, how long was each Anthias in your tank before it died? An did both exhibit the same kind of lesion?

 

[blennymower]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15336809#post15336809 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Gwynhidwy
It looks like a bacterial infection to me. Could be from an opportunistic bacterium that is always present in your water, but was able to colonize this fish because it was stressed. May happen to multiple anthias because they are fairly sensitive fish in general, often difficult to acclimate to captivity, and require pristine water.

How much flow do you have in your tank? How long has the tank been set up? What quarantine process did you use for these fish?

I think so also, no other fish except anthias have ever experienced this in my tank. Even one of my chromis had a lesion similar but healed by itself. I think my water quality is at least good. I use reef salts, 0 TDS RO/DI water, and do frequent 5 gallon water changes.

I think my flow is adequate. I have a mag12 for return that probably puts out 1000gph and a Korallia 3 (850gph).

 

[blennymower]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15336998#post15336998 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GlassReef
Out of curiosity, how long was each Anthias in your tank before it died? An did both exhibit the same kind of lesion?

Both of the anthias exhibited the exact same sort of lesions, both worsened relatively fast, and both anthias we're introduced without any signs of lesions on their bodies and developed the lesions almost a day after being in the tank.

 

[GlassReef]

Well, assuming no other fish in your tank had the same problem, it is probable that your fish were already infected when you got them. The fact that the lesions developed within a day or two and the fish died so quickly, really makes me believe you're dealing with Uronema marinum. You might want to go to your LFS and take a close look at the fish in the tank where your Anthias were. If you see any fish with lesions, show the LFS owner and ask for your money back. From what you describe those fish were already sick when you purchased them.

I've had experience with the disease. Looks exactly like the lesion on the fish in your pic. I bought 10 Chromis. All looked good when purchased. Seven were dead within 36 hours. The owner at my LFS is a stand up guy. He checked it out and found the problem was Uronema - I received a full refund.

 

[paraletho]

My Lyretail died suddenly for no apparent reason. Some species are just too sensitive and come into the world looking for a reason to die. For ranchers its a white faced hereford, for freshwater fishermen its Crappie, for us reefers it the Anthias.

Oh and 1DeR9_3Hy " This is my boomstick" Love that show!