Flame Angel condition worsens

[evenkeel]

I posted a thread a few days back obout my flame angel with white and puffy lips. The fish was eating/swimming normally, so the one response I got was to "keep an eye on him". Well, now the end of the gills are turning white and there appears to be a white line that extends from the gills about an half inch back. He also seems to be losing color. I fed him and the others some brine and a little flake last night and he seems to be eating. What else can I do? Would garlic soaked food help in this case?

 

[flamingkingofhe]

it might help but i would not rely just on garlic

 

[evenkeel]

Thanks for responding.
I've been reading a little more about this problem in "The Conscienious Marine Aquarist", by Fenner. He mentions a disease called "head and lateral erosion" and it's common amoung Angels and Tangs. I may need to try and give the flame vitamin C & D. Have you ever had anything like this happen? I'm really grasping for any kind of help.

 

[beth]

Is the problem that the fish is loosing skin pigment, as if the skin has been eroded or erased away, exposing the skin beneath? What are your water readings, including phosphates and nitrates?

 

[evenkeel]

Thanks for the advise. This past weekend I'd done a 20% WC and always age my water (RO/DI) with salt a minimum of 48 hrs. He does have a small abrasion (from a couple weeks ago). I'm not sure how it happened. So I started with garlic in the brine and the big water change this past weekend. It looks like pigment loss only. His body is not sunken and he appears normal (eating and swimming).
The water parameters are normal:
pH 8.3
nitrate 5
nitrite 0
salinity 1.022
Any other suggrestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks again

 

[beth]

Try putting Zoecon on the food and allowing it to soak in the food for at least 1/2 before serving up. Keep an eye on it, as it may be HLLE.

 

[evenkeel]

Thanks Beth & Terry,
I feed the fish flake and brine, which I've been soaking in Zoecon for the past week and a half. The fish "acts" normal, eats & swims like the first day I bought him 3 wees ago. The tank has been set up since Jan. 1st, 2003. I do 5% water changes weekly, with the last three being with ro/di water. The parameters of my tank are: nitrates=5, nitrite=0, salinity=1.023 (+/- .001), pH=8.2, ammonia=0, calcium=375. I double check my readings with a reputable lfs every other week. Their readings agree with mine. The color seems to have faded over time, not all of a sudden. A friend stopped by and thought my angel looked a lttle thin (compaired to theirs). I had cut back feedings to every other day to try and cut back on an algae problem. I clean the tank (glass) on Sunday and by Wednesday, the algae had started growing back. I have started feeding the fish on a daily basis again.
I noticed now there seems to be a grow (possibly a parasite) on the side of his mouth, that extends outward. I will try and get a picture and post it. I'm also going to be setting up a QT tank this weekend. Should I place him in there after the tank has cycled. I plan on using the the water I take out from my water change of my main tank with additional ro/di water to start cycling the QT tank.

 

[beth]

If you can get a pic up, that could be helpful. As the fish seems to be doing fine, besides this problem, I would not yet move it to an uncycled tank, however, it is a good idea to go ahead a prepare a hospital and be ready.