I have some fish issues and need help diagnosing so I can treat the fish. For the last 2 - 3 weeks I have noticed my sharknose goby constantly nipping at the side of my yellow tang. From my research I understand they are either cleaner fish mimics or actually eat parasites. Either way about 2 weeks ago I took the goby out and moved him to the refugium to see if it made a difference. After a week the tang looked and was acting normal so I moved the little goby back to the DT. Today I notice a Chromis that has lost body control and is being pushed around in a vertical orientation and later got stuck on the weir. I also noticed the sharknose goby was nipping at the Yellow tang and the Kole tang today, again on the flanks. When I had a closer look the Yellow tang has a gash on the flank and has a pale whitish discoloration around the head. After looking a little closer I notice my anthias has a worse gash. The Chromis has since died, I netted him off the bottom and took the following pictures. I would like some help understanding if this is Uronema, bacteria, protozoa, fungal or something else? The yellow tang and Athias are eating well. The Chromis had been skulking either at the bottom or top of aquarium in the shade for a few days, I didn't think anything of it at the time. The chromis doesn't seem to have anything like the signs I see on the tang and anthias but posted a small nick on the upper left side below
I am suspecting that my attempts to bring the Salinity down from 35.3 have caused the problem. It is at 34.9 today but was a 35.0 - 35.1 a couple of days ago when I measured last.
I would appreciate any suggestions on how to treat the fish.
Aquarium Parameters:
Aquarium type: Mixed Reef DT
Aquarium water volume: 165 gallons total volume in DT, Fuge, and Sumps
Filtration type: Skimmer, Filter socks, Chaeto Refuguim on opposite light cycle
Lighting: 2 X Kessil AP9X at peak 38% intensity in middle of day
How long has the aquarium been established? 8+ months
Water quality (be sure to indicate what measurement units you are using)
Temperature: 78.1 - 78.3 F
pH: 8.12 to 8.5 (Depending on whether you trust my Apex probe or Red Sea test kit more)
Salinity / specific gravity: 34.9 (I had been working this down over the last few weeks from 35.3 and this may be the root cause of stress)
Nitrate: 5 ppm
Phosphorus: .02 ppm
Alkalinity: 8.5
In-depth information:
Have you lost any fish to this problem yet? Yes the Chromis died today
Are any invertebrates affected? I am noticing my 3 Anemones are retracted and not happy, that is why I suspect the salinity change
Are the affected fish still feeding? Yes
What remedies have you tried so far? None, preparing QT tank
I am suspecting that my attempts to bring the Salinity down from 35.3 have caused the problem. It is at 34.9 today but was a 35.0 - 35.1 a couple of days ago when I measured last.
I would appreciate any suggestions on how to treat the fish.
Aquarium Parameters:
Aquarium type: Mixed Reef DT
Aquarium water volume: 165 gallons total volume in DT, Fuge, and Sumps
Filtration type: Skimmer, Filter socks, Chaeto Refuguim on opposite light cycle
Lighting: 2 X Kessil AP9X at peak 38% intensity in middle of day
How long has the aquarium been established? 8+ months
Water quality (be sure to indicate what measurement units you are using)
Temperature: 78.1 - 78.3 F
pH: 8.12 to 8.5 (Depending on whether you trust my Apex probe or Red Sea test kit more)
Salinity / specific gravity: 34.9 (I had been working this down over the last few weeks from 35.3 and this may be the root cause of stress)
Nitrate: 5 ppm
Phosphorus: .02 ppm
Alkalinity: 8.5
In-depth information:
Have you lost any fish to this problem yet? Yes the Chromis died today
Are any invertebrates affected? I am noticing my 3 Anemones are retracted and not happy, that is why I suspect the salinity change
Are the affected fish still feeding? Yes
What remedies have you tried so far? None, preparing QT tank
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