Fish disease/problem

[shallowreef]

Hey steve,

I had a powderblue tang that had ich and then got these grey patches on its body. It got really skinny and then died. Now i have a sailfin tang that is showing the same signs and i have it in QT but i am afraid to add another fish to the tank as i don't want to lose anymore money. My alk and ph are low and my phosphates and nitrates area a little high so i am going to get them under control. My lfs said that is more than likely the cause of it. So i am taking care of this first hand. But now once this is done how will i know if this disease is still going to effect any new fish. None of my other fish are showing any signs of disease but thats just today.

Also i am planning on keeping brown banded shark with two triggers (pinktail 12" and Niger 4") and i was curious if it is a bad idea to mix either rays or sharks with triggers? I have done it before with a ray and with my sharks (the first time around) and i had no problems. Is this going to be a problem or is this only a problem with aggressive triggers like clowns and queens.

 

[shallowreef]

Hello? anyone out there?

 

[steve-s]

I had a powderblue tang that had ich and then got these grey patches on its body. It got really skinny and then died.

The patches sound like MHLLE, especially given the weight loss. That could be either the wrong foods or a worm.

Now i have a sailfin tang that is showing the same signs and i have it in QT but i am afraid to add another fish to the tank as i don't want to lose anymore money.

The Cryptocaryon, grey patches, weight loss or all of the above?
What are QT tank numbers?

My alk and ph are low and my phosphates and nitrates area a little high so i am going to get them under control. My lfs said that is more than likely the cause of it. So i am taking care of this first hand. But now once this is done how will i know if this disease is still going to effect any new fish. None of my other fish are showing any signs of disease but thats just today.

Low pH can cause some issues but depending on how low (?) not what your describing unless toxic water conditions. In which case all would be affected not just a tang.

Please post as much info about the display tank and it's numbers along with the QT. Also how the fish was aught at the LFS and later acclimated to your QT. If a picture is possible also post that.

Also i am planning on keeping brown banded shark with two triggers (pinktail 12" and Niger 4") and i was curious if it is a bad idea to mix either rays or sharks with triggers? I have done it before with a ray and with my sharks (the first time around) and i had no problems. Is this going to be a problem or is this only a problem with aggressive triggers like clowns and queens.

I am not a big fan of mixing triggers of any species with sharks/rays. One or the other, not both. Even though the two triggers mentioned are reef "compatible" to a point, they are no means docile.

 

[shallowreef]

Ok the pH in the tank was at 7.9 for a low and 8.1 for a high. My alk was at i believe 6. Phosphates were at .7 Nitrates were at 15. Ammo was 0, Nitri was 0. Temp was 76-77. Both tangs are dead so i'm not too worried about what it is but i am worried about my other fish catching it. So far no other fish shows any signs.

 

[steve-s]

My alk was at i believe 6.

mEq/l or DKH? Why was the ph troublesome?

If the second fish died while in the QT (?) there is a potential for the problem to exist there so ensure you clean the entire system/equipment with a mild bleach solution and water. Set it up and recycle it. The pH drop can potentially cause problem but not really what your describing. MHLLE or bacterial are the most likely candidates, less likely viral but still possible.

I wish I could give you more but there not a lot to go on.

 

[shallowreef]

Thanks for the help steve. I've been busy and haven't been on here much lately. I have all of my specs back to normal and all of my fish look good so i am going to hold off on the fish for awhile. I think that a lot of the problems were due to my low ph and high phosphates and nitra.