Need Assistance with diagnosis: Copperband Butterfly

[NC2WA]

Lee,

I added this fish on Friday and noticed the redness on its fins today. Water temp is 80.6 and salinity is 1.024, Nitrates-0, Ammonia-0, Nitrites-0, Calcium-420, Alk-3.43.

I would need some help identifying the problem. Is this viral or bacterial. Hopefully my pictures will assist you in proper diagnosis.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7329275@N05


If I have not provided enough information for you, please let me know what information you need and I will more than happy to reply with the information.

If you do have enough information, how would you treat this fish?
I assume I should remove the fish and place in a QT to treat?

Thanks
Kirk

 

[leebca]

If it is just on that one side of the fish and nowhere else, there is a possibility of this being an injury during handling or in the tank. However, this kind of reaction to handling or injury would not be common.

The area is responding to a problem with the water. I understand you provided information with regards to that, and that information looks good, but there is something else going wrong with the water.

What you see will lead to or is leading to a bacterial infection. The fish needs the hospital tank as you suspected, with antibiotics applied. However what the fish needs most is absolutely perfect water during the treatment.

Returning the fish to the tank won't be a good idea until you've identified the source of water problem. You should test for ammonia and nitrites three or four times during the day, just to be sure it is in fact, remaining non-detectable. Especially test two hours after a feeding.

I'd suggest Maracyn Two for Saltwater fishes. The first dose in the hospital tank should be twice the quantity indicated on the package. From then on, follow the package instructions.

To help you understand other possible water quality issues, please refer to this: What is Water Quality.

Keep us informed.

 

[azgard1]

Lee, in his pictures, the second full view he says, " Full view- Same redness is on the exact place on the right side"

Both sides would seem to support your thoughts about water. What in that picture made you suspect water?

Bob

 

[NC2WA]

Well,

When I went to remove the fish from the main tank to the QT this morning, I found the fish dead. Awful quick death IMO.

What other tests besides the normal ones (ie, ammonia, nitrites, nitrates) can I take to ensure water quality is good. I am using a RO/DI unit to make my own water.

thanks
kirk

 

[LakeEd]

Sorry to hear about your loss Kirk.

I would guess (and this is an un-educated one, at that) that with this happening sooo quickly for you, what ever caused the problem in this fish happened before you happened to purchase him, and you were just stuck dealing with the concenquences.

 

[NC2WA]

Ed,

I would agree with this. A huge piece of information that I forgot to disclose was I noticed redness behind both fins when the fish arrived. It was noticed while doing a pre-inspection of the bag upon arrival.

I never would have purchased a fish like this. I am very particular when it comes to butterflies and angelfishes. The only reason I did purchase from this online vendor is that I had purchase a CBB from them before while living in NC and it was a great fish, ate from my hand. I guess I didnt get as lucky with this order.

Lesson learned: Delicate fish as butterflies and angelfish buy locally not over the Internet. Better to see exactly what you are getting before you buy.

I should know better as I have been in this hobby for close to 10yrs. <Slapping hand--Bad Kirk, Bad Kirk>.

 

[leebca]

Sorry to hear of this outcome.

Actually, when you wrote that you ". . .added this fish on Friday. . ." that you had actually quarantined the fish and had had it for some time.

Buying fish online is a greater risk than in person at an LFS. Some online sources have guarantees and that can be attractive. However, regardless of the source, you want to put the fish into quarantine. The fish may have been quickly cured, if you keep the medications on hand as suggested here: Fish Medicine Cabinet. If the fish was water quality stressed when you received it, then it would have been a challenge to bring it around. The Copperband as you know, is a finicky fish and it would have been a challenge indeed.

I'd say more than likely that your tank water was not the problem. However, if you read that reference, it can give you some clues on what other things to watch for, even though we don't have test kits for them.

 

[leebca]

Bob,

Missed that photo note. The red striations is a sign of the start of internal chemical problems. Such is brought about by septicemia or water quality. Most of the time it is water quality. Since the fish came from an online source, it was most likely shipped as such and the poor water quality in the shipping bag exasperated the problem. It is difficult enough to help a fish once they show such signs, but that fish must be in quarantine for this to have stood a chance for treatment.

What often happens is that the tank is not matured enough or the hobbyist thinks things are okay but has added fish too quickly such that the biological system hasn't caught up to handle the fish. Then, the weakest fish shows these signs.

 

[NC2WA]

Lee,

I completely understand and agree with what you said. I will read the "Fish Medicine Cabinet" thread and reply if I have any questions.

Thanks again for your assistance and quick replies.
Kirk