Anthias randomly dying... Showing no visual signs but lethargic and heavy breathing

[caribbeangirl345]

I have other species in the tank that seem to be doing fine... But randomly, the Anthias Lyertails keep dying one by one... Please help!

I have dosed the tank with copper already and been adding Metroflex to their feeding. But I can't seem to figure out what it is

 

[AlyciaMarie]

Hey friend, welcome to Reef2Reef! Can you answer a few questions to help everyone solve this?

• How old is your tank?
• How long has your fish been in the tank?
• Can you list all of your parameters?
• Can you post a video that is 20 seconds or longer of the behavior (preferably under white light and uploaded via YouTube)?

#fishmedics

 

[vetteguy53081]

I have other species in the tank that seem to be doing fine... But randomly, the Anthias Lyertails keep dying one by one... Please help!

I have dosed the tank with copper already and been adding Metroflex to their feeding. But I can't seem to figure out what it is

Skip the metro unless an absolute need as it makes the food taste bitter and must be used precisely by weight which is .5gm. I highly recommend a 45 minute ruby rally bath for them when acquired as they are susceptible to bacterial issues and uronema.
Acclimation very important for them and assure skin is clear on both sides when purchased. Copper not the best as I often recommend General cure but assure the coppersafe (which is what I hope you sued) does not exceed 2.25 copper level

 

[slythy]

How long have you had them? How often are you feeding?

 

[Sharkbait19]

Welcome to the forum!
Do you see any red marks on the fish? They are quite susceptible to uronema. They also have a tendency to kill each other off.

 

[MnFish1]

Anthias may often bully the weakest in the group until one (or 2) are left. However, looking for skin lesions, etc suggesting uronema would make sense. If there are no other lesions of symptoms, I would not add other antibiotics personally.

 

[Jay Hemdal]

I have other species in the tank that seem to be doing fine... But randomly, the Anthias Lyertails keep dying one by one... Please help!

I have dosed the tank with copper already and been adding Metroflex to their feeding. But I can't seem to figure out what it is

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

How many lyretails have you had?
How many have died?
Over what time frame?

Low level losses in lyretails can be due to aggression, but you’ll often see ripped fins. Without that symptom, it could also be flukes.

 

[danreef55]

Perhaps you should run carbon to reduce copper levels. Also consider a large water change exactly matching salinity, PH and temperature. Jay is in copy so be guided by him obviously.

 

[MnFish1]

Perhaps you should run carbon to reduce copper levels. Also consider a large water change exactly matching salinity, PH and temperature. Jay is in copy so be guided by him obviously.

I do not see any reason to lower copper levels, unless they are at a toxic level? Curious as to your reasoning?

 

[MnFish1]

Perhaps you should run carbon to reduce copper levels. Also consider a large water change exactly matching salinity, PH and temperature. Jay is in copy so be guided by him obviously.

PS - if one did have a taxic copper level, the way to fix it definitively would be to do water changes. Cuprisorb would also be an option

 

[danreef55]

Anthias do not react well with copper. It was just a suggestion, and we should wait for Jay

 

[MnFish1]

Anthias do not react well with copper. It was just a suggestion, and we should wait for Jay

I'm one of the Fish Medics - so I work with Jay. I believe that chelated copper is not a high-risk issue for antheias

 

[danreef55]

I'm one of the Fish Medics - so I work with Jay.

oh sorry I didn't realize! I can only speak from experience and DOP stats when I was importing many anthias. I am NOT flying in the face of ANY recommendations from true experts. Thanks for the info!

 

[MnFish1]

oh sorry I didn't realize! I can only speak from experience and DOP stats when I was importing many anthias. I am NOT flying in the face of ANY recommendations from true experts. Thanks for the info!

Didn't mean to imply you were incorrect - just was curious as to your rationale!

 

[danreef55]

Didn't mean to imply you were incorrect - just was curious as to your rationale!

No worries. Please ALWAYS give your expert advice

 

[danreef55]

No worries. Please ALWAYS give your expert advice

I had seven years of statics on DOA and DOP for all livestock. I lost the data and the backup in a house fire after the facility was closed. We tracked supplier, country of origin, size and any negative occurrences in the logistics channels. It helped minimize losses. It wasn't just the monetary component; we cared a great deal for all the creatures.
All be well and happy reefing