Tang and Ocellaris

[Meche]

My buddy's girlfriend is moving to cape cod and she didn't what to deal with moving her tank with her, so they asked me if I wanted her hippo tang and ocellaris clown (even though the hippo was sick). Sweet deal right?!

Well tonight, my buddy came over and just dumped them in my tank. I didn't realize I had to hire a security guard for my tank! :evil: We went to dinner and when I got back, my two ocellaris' were tag teaming the new one, and my blue devil damsel and blue-green chromis were chasing the hippo. I fished them out and am now acclimating them into my QT tank.

I'll try to get some pics posted once they are in the QT. Also, these two fish are coming from a FO tank that has never had a water change done to it. Ever. I've only brefly looked at the fish and the Ocellaris seem to be fine. The tang looks pathetic. It only has color on its tail and the center third of its body, the rest looks white/clear and fuzzy. His gills are also a little red, I'm assuming this has to do with the shock of temp/pH/etc.

I have 3 questions.

1) Are my fish likely going to be OK (disease free)?

2) What does the tang have, and is he going to be OK?

3) Is it likely that the ocellaris is ever going to be left alone by the other two in my 55gal tank?

I know 1 and 2 will be hard to answer without pics, I'll try to get them up asap.

Thanks,
Brett

 

[ronj]

fuzzy is normally bad

 

[Hoopsguru]

1) I believe you will have to wait a few weeks to see if the new fish introduced anything. There is no way to initially guarantee either way.

2) Don't know, Steve will have a better approach on this section

3) Is the clownfish an adult? If so, it is going to be a female added to a tank (and a smaller tank at that) with an established pair and I don't believe this is going to work. I was able to keep a pair of saddleback and ocellaris together in a 55g for a year before upgrading to my 180g but they were different species that had their established territories on complete opposite ends of the tank. A new female ocellaris in your tank is competition and some aggression likely has to occur to even establish a "pecking order". You could always try it if you are prepared to monitor the tank and remove the new fish if things get too ugly (physical damage, etc.).

The best scenario may be to nurse these fish in good conditions and find a foster home as the hippo for sure cannot live a full life in a 55g tank. Perhaps you could post to a local reef club for a permanent home, both fish are popular.

 

[spongebob lover]

ouch dood ... what friend you got ...... just j/k.
i hope Steve can answer your questions real soon dood, i knew you were exited about that tang .
Well you could always use it as an excuse for buying a 100 gal tank .

 

[steve-s]

There's absolutely no way to gauge the damage caused to the main until it happens. Definitely do as Hoops suggested and wait a minimum of 6 weeks before adding anything new/wet to the tank. Be watchful of your current stock but do not jump to unnecessary conclusions.

What was the Regal sick with and did you verify this or simply go on the previous owners assumption?

The tangs conditions sounds like it is severely stressed. De pigmentation will commonly accompany this species when stressed or being aggressive. It could also be a bad case of MHLLE but I would need a good clear focused picture to tell for sure. Be sure you double check all your reading on the QT for water quality, especially ammonia and pH.

Check with the previous owner to find out what kind of diet the fish where being fed and how often.

As for the clown, once your sure it's healthy, I would return it to the LFS for store credit. It's not in your's/it's best interest to keep it.

 

[Meche]

The fish was being fed brown algae from a clear blisterpack, Seaweed selects maybe?? I have no idea how often.

 

[ronj]

OMG!!!!!! get that poor fish some vitamins and pristine water conditions ASAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[spongebob lover]

youre gonna give Ron a heart attack dood !!!

what in the world were they doing with that fish ....Dori keep swimming .

 

[Meche]

OMG!!!!!! get that poor fish some vitamins and pristine water conditions ASAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What kind of vitamins? The water is already the best I can do.

 

[BTTRFLYGRL]

OMG!!!
The Hippo has SEVERE MHLLE!! He needs a good variety of foods and some vitamens [such as Vitachem and Selcon]
Keep the water PRISTINE!!
I am not sure that such a bad case can be reversed, but I'll keep my fingers crossed

The red in the gills could be Flukes

Poor fish! Makes me very sad!

 

[Meche]

Is this article accurate? We know nothing about MHLLE? I'll get some vitamins today. :doubt:

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-06/sp/index.php

 

[spongebob lover]

good luck dood .

i have a feeling that you're gonna get that fish healthy and happy in no time

 

[Herefishyfishy]

It can be kept alive and even be made relatively healthy but the tissue loss will not in all probability not recover. Came from bad water and worse feeding. Was denied good vegis over a long period of time

 

[Meche]

What is good food for it?

I have Green Algae and Brown Algae.

As well as Spectrum pellets and Formula 1 flake.

 

[BTTRFLYGRL]

I prefer frozen food..I use Formula'a One and Two, Prime Reef, Marine Cuisene, Emerald Entree, Enriched Brine, Mysis, Special Formula VHP, and some other that are made for certain fish.
I soak in VitaChem or Selcon everyday.
Have you read LEEBCA's threads?
http://www.reeffrontiers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15720

http://www.reeffrontiers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15719

 

[NC2WA]

Increased vitamins (esp. Vit C) and Omega3 fatty acids are what I read that can prevent HLLE in tangs (along with good quality water). I also soak my food and veggie clips in them to make sure that are directly getting the vitamins.

Good luck
Kirk

 

[steve-s]

A lot of what your seeing on the Regal is scar tissue from a good period of "abuse" for a lack of a better term. The poor diet and living conditions previously have severely disfigured the outer appearance of the fish. Although you can halt the progression of the problem with the appropriate foods/living condition improvement, do not expect anything other than that. The physical appearance of the fish will not change too much from where it is now. Along with the other foods mentioned, ensure to include Beta Glucan occasionally as well as broccoli florets. Both will help the healing process immensely. The broccoli has especially been seen to help MHLLE in tangs.

Since in a QT, I would also lower the salinity towards 20-21 ppt. Try to ensure pH stays near/above 8.2 at all times, keep stress at a minimum and no overhead light unless unavoidable.

Also, if memory serves, you do not have a large enough tank to keep this species long term. I know it's tempting but once the tang has healed some, try to find it a more appropriately sized system.

 

[Meche]

"abuse" for a lack of a better term

I'd say that is a pretty good term. :doubt:

Ok, will do. Thanks guys. I'll keep you posted.