Hippo Tangs

[jeffs]

Have two Hippo Tangs in 155 gal fish only tank. The fish are about five years old and are family favorites. About once a year or so (since I've had them) they break out with what looks like pimples that push out from inside of their bodies and have white tips on top of the pimples. I've had good results with treatment of penicillin and melafix in the past. About two months ago I installed a 150 gal refuguim in basement and got rid of my wet/dry. Things went well for month then the pimples appeared on both fish and got progressively worse. I moved both Hippos to 29 gal hospital tank with divider to separate them. I started with one cycle of penicillin - no luck. Changed water and waited two days then one five day cycle of Maracyn with copper safe- seemed to be working but they broke out out again. I did one more five day cycle of Maracyn and today would have been the fifth day but they are completely broken out again. Today I changed 80% of hospital tank and dosed with Metranydozole as per "Jim" at Marine Depot. Don't know what else to do. Any suggestions for treatment or any clue as to what the problem is with fish? My water parameters / quality / temperature are all perfect.

 

[hdtran]

If it looks like somebody sprinkled salt on them, then, the usual suspect is Cryptocarion irritans (the dreaded saltwater ich). Check out the 'advanced aquarist online' archives (button near the top of the forums window).

 

[Anonymous]

I need some more info.
How big are your P. hepatus ?
What other symptoms other than the white pimples i.e. scratching, heavy respiration, etc. ?
Are these pimples in a pattern ?
Any other fish in your main tank ?
Do they show any symptoms ?
A picture would be great if you have one.

Regards,
David Mohr

 

[Jolieve]

It sounds like ich to me as well, hippo tangs are particularly likely to come down with it in times of stress (i.e. when you make changes to the system).

 

[jeffs]

The fish are both 6-7 inches long. At times of medication they tend to respirate heavy but I have aeration in the hospital tank. There are no other symptons - they both still eat like pigs even after all this stress. The pimples are all over the body even on the eyes - but they come and go with each dose of medicine. I have 10 other fish in the main tank - my huma-huma started to break out with white dots but he has cleared up. The other fish are all doing great. I checked the hippos today and the metranydazole seems to have stopped the out break with some of the pimple even disappearing. Any other thoughts??????

 

[Anonymous]

Well I agree this is probably Cryptocaryon irritans or Amyloodinium, as I see it though, the reason your fish keep getting these pimples in your hospital tank is from stress. Keeping two 6" Tangs in a 29gl tank will do it.
I'd treat as you've been doing, feed nutritious foods always soaked in Selcon and try to get them back in the main tank as soon as possible.

Regards,
David Mohr

 

[hdtran]

Read the article here http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/ ... /mini1.htm

And the next 4 issues.

 

[Anonymous]

I doubt they'd survive bout after bout of Amyloodinium, and am even suspect of repeated bouts with ich.

To the original poster, I don't recollect you answering whether or not these spots resemble salt sprinkled on the fish or not.

 

[jeffs]

Thanks for the advice. One more note though - it seems that tiny pieces of "cotton" are on the tips of the pimples. Is that a characteristic of cryptocaryon or amyloodinium? I can understand the stress level in the hospital tank would cause another breakout after the treatments. They seem to be less stressed since I put the divider in. Is it true that after being treated with the metranydazole they they will be cured forever or will they always susceptible to this problem?
Thanks again!

 

[jeffs]

Yes it does resemble salt being sprinkled on them. After several days little pieces of tiny "cotton" on the tips of the pimples. - Sorry for not responding earlier. Don't have digital camera yet either to take picture.
Jeffs

 

[Jolieve]

hrm... that last question is a good one.

Somehow, I doubt it. Hippo tangs are very susceptible to such outbreaks, particularly during times of stress. Stress can be caused by a lot of things, but changes in system volume (particularly ph I would think) create stress. Since you just added on a fuge (good choice btw) I suspect that the change in system volume caused a minor shift in the water chemistry. But, this was probably enough to create stress for the tangs, and hence... they got ich.

My advice for you would be to stop making changes to the system. It sounds like your tank is fairly well established given the livestock, and is otherwise healthy. I'd just start leaving it alone outside of your usual maintenance routine.

J.