Yellow Tang

[jagjohn2000]

ok so I added a yellow on fed 1st. I also added a clown at the same time. I have had problems with the yellow since day one. I first thought I had ich. Well turns out I don't think thats what it was. He was flashing on everything. I figured out the problem and i think I started a mini cycle and the amm. and trites were irritating him. Have that all sorted out and then he seemed to be doing fine. a few weeks later I had some BRS base rock that I added (after i let it chill for about two weeks, and I indeed did have a small amm. spike for any curious) about 40 lbs. everything was still cool as far as the yt. I also got my 5 stage rodi the same time and have since been using rodi water for top off and weekly water changes. I have a 75 gal with a 30 ish gal sump. All params are pretty good for me having no so live rock. Now he seems to be flashing again. Differently this time though, before it was his sides and now he turns almost upside down and flashes on substrtate mostly. What's going on?


forgot to add params:
SG: 1.23
Amm:0
Trites:0
Trates: 10-15
ph: 8.4
temp: 78

 

[Sk8r]

Flashing can be ich in the gills---I know, or flukes in the gills---I think. Ich burrows under the skin, so it's not directly visible, just the pimple-like bump it raises. Watch this very carefully. Your readings are not bad, except your ph is a shade high, and I'd prefer it closer to 7.9-8.3. You might get an alkalinity test and some buffer (Kent dkh Reef Buffer) just to moderate that a bit and see if it helps, but look at the gills: if you're seeing gill tissue as the fish breathes, if his gills are flaring, do not hesitate, but get all fish to a qt with really meaningful pump [none of these trickle filters] and start treating for an external parasite of some sort, either one or the other---that would be my best guess. If the fish is breathing well and seems otherwise ok, go ahead and correct the ph/alkalinity (s/b 8.3-9.3 dkh) and see if that works. If it doesn't stop it, again, assume a parasite. Also watch carefully for any white film, which could be Brooklynosis, commonly seen in clownfish. Brook requires a different treatment, outlined in the stickies above, and if you see that white film, do not delay: Brook is rapidly fatal. Ich is a little slower-moving in a healthy fish.