Uronema? Normal looking one day, dead the next.

[Revv65]

This Coral Beauty was doing fine and eating well in my QT tank for a week. Next day I noticed her laying on her side. I scooped her gently to look at her and here this terrible lesion was.
The QT tank is a new fully cycled tank that had never had any fish in it prior. Her tank mates are fine and no signs of any illnesses. This exact same thing happened to a Lemon Peel awhile back in a whole different tank.
From all that I have seen and read on these forums, it looks like Uronema. Obviously an internal problem as this QT has never had anything in it prior. Am I correct with this or could this be something different? So far newly acquired Angel fish have been the only ones to have this. Thank you in advance!

 

[vetteguy53081]

This Coral Beauty was doing fine and eating well in my QT tank for a week. Next day I noticed her laying on her side. I scooped her gently to look at her and here this terrible lesion was.
The QT tank is a new fully cycled tank that had never had any fish in it prior. Her tank mates are fine and no signs of any illnesses. This exact same thing happened to a Lemon Peel awhile back in a whole different tank.
From all that I have seen and read on these forums, it looks like Uronema. Obviously an internal problem as this QT has never had anything in it prior. Am I correct with this or could this be something different? So far newly acquired Angel fish have been the only ones to have this. Thank you in advance!

While these fish are susceptible to uronema, this looks more like an injury either from object or aggression. The question if aggression - Who. What other tankmates are/were in with it?

 

[Jay Hemdal]

This Coral Beauty was doing fine and eating well in my QT tank for a week. Next day I noticed her laying on her side. I scooped her gently to look at her and here this terrible lesion was.
The QT tank is a new fully cycled tank that had never had any fish in it prior. Her tank mates are fine and no signs of any illnesses. This exact same thing happened to a Lemon Peel awhile back in a whole different tank.
From all that I have seen and read on these forums, it looks like Uronema. Obviously an internal problem as this QT has never had anything in it prior. Am I correct with this or could this be something different? So far newly acquired Angel fish have been the only ones to have this. Thank you in advance!

It is the right location to be Uronema, and the species and timing all line up. However, Uronema lesions are usually more red in color. A microscopic skin scrape is the best way to tell Uronema from bacterial infections.
Luckily, inter cellular Uronema really isn’t all that contagious.

 

[Revv65]

While these fish are susceptible to uronema, this looks more like an injury either from object or aggression. The question if aggression - Who. What other tankmates are/were in with it?

A Cleaner Wrasse and a Racoon Butterfly. They all got along and followed each other. All the hides in the tank don't have any sharp edges.

 

[Revv65]

It is the right location to be Uronema, and the species and timing all line up. However, Uronema lesions are usually more red in color. A microscopic skin scrape is the best way to tell Uronema from bacterial infections.
Luckily, inter cellular Uronema really isn’t all that contagious.

Towards the gills you can see some red. I look at my fish closely every day especially new ones. This literally showed up over night. Her tank mates were a Cleaner Wrasse and a Racoon Butterfly and all got along well.

 

[vetteguy53081]

A Cleaner Wrasse and a Racoon Butterfly. They all got along and followed each other. All the hides in the tank don't have any sharp edges.

You mentioned redness and I still suspect injury as stated by Jay- not typical appearance and generally mid body. Can be from getting startled, blunt object or being chased.

 

[Jay Hemdal]

Towards the gills you can see some red. I look at my fish closely every day especially new ones. This literally showed up over night. Her tank mates were a Cleaner Wrasse and a Racoon Butterfly and all got along well.

Showing up overnight is a sign of Uronema. I can’t see in the photo, did the angel die with an open mouth? That’s also a sign of Uronema. Have you seen my article on this?

Uronema / Red Band Disease - Hemdal

Red Band Syndrome in Marine Fishes: Caused by the Protozoan; Uronema sp. Jay Hemdal Introduction: This moderately common disease of certain species of marine fish is so often misdiagnosed that most aquarists apply incorrect treatment methods...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Revv65]

Showing up overnight is a sign of Uronema. I can’t see in the photo, did the angel die with an open mouth? That’s also a sign of Uronema. Have you seen my article on this?

Uronema / Red Band Disease - Hemdal

Red Band Syndrome in Marine Fishes: Caused by the Protozoan; Uronema sp. Jay Hemdal Introduction: This moderately common disease of certain species of marine fish is so often misdiagnosed that most aquarists apply incorrect treatment methods...

www.reef2reef.com

I didn't notice if she died with her mouth open but her respiratory before she passed was very rapid. And I did read your article. It was one that made me think it was uronema. I've had to deal with freshwater fish illnesses in the past, but this one shows up quickly and is too late before you can treat it. Thank you for your responses. Is there a pro active treatment for this before it shows up??

 

[Revv65]

You mentioned redness and I still suspect injury as stated by Jay- not typical appearance and generally mid body. Can be from getting startled, blunt object or being chased.

Her and the Raccoon would share the same hide when bedding down. There was little probability of aggression. My QT is in a separate room so small chance of getting startled. Not saying it couldn't happen but it would've had to happen in the night. Also I had an identical situation with a Lemon Peel angel in a different tank. But the night before I noticed a pinkish raised area just behind the gills just like where the Coral Beauty had. Next morning it was a full blown gash. She passed shortly after. And thank you for your replies.

 

[Revv65]

Showing up overnight is a sign of Uronema. I can’t see in the photo, did the angel die with an open mouth? That’s also a sign of Uronema. Have you seen my article on this?

Uronema / Red Band Disease - Hemdal

Red Band Syndrome in Marine Fishes: Caused by the Protozoan; Uronema sp. Jay Hemdal Introduction: This moderately common disease of certain species of marine fish is so often misdiagnosed that most aquarists apply incorrect treatment methods...

www.reef2reef.com

And btw....s.g. in my QT is 1.024. I have seen in your article and other sources that hyposalinity "encourages" uronema. Also availability of anything more than off the shelf aquarium medications at the LFS would be difficult to come by.

 

[Jay Hemdal]

I didn't notice if she died with her mouth open but her respiratory before she passed was very rapid. And I did read your article. It was one that made me think it was uronema. I've had to deal with freshwater fish illnesses in the past, but this one shows up quickly and is too late before you can treat it. Thank you for your responses. Is there a pro active treatment for this before it shows up??

There are lots of people touting "cures" for Uronema, but I've only been able to manage it when it is in its external form (like on seahorses). There is simply no way that a drug added to the aquarium water can enter the fish and kill protozoans inside the fish. That would be like having some ointment that kills malaria in people.
It's possible that orally dosed anti-protozoan drugs can help. Trouble is, you cannot really diagnose internal Uronema until it breaches the fish's skin and then it's too late.

 

[Revv65]

That's what I have been reading. And I knew you of all people would know if there was something that may work. Thank you Sir for your input. Much appreciated.

There are lots of people touting "cures" for Uronema, but I've only been able to manage it when it is in its external form (like on seahorses). There is simply no way that a drug added to the aquarium water can enter the fish and kill protozoans inside the fish. That would be like having some ointment that kills malaria in people.
It's possible that orally dosed anti-protozoan drugs can help. Trouble is, you cannot really diagnose internal Uronema until it breaches the fish's skin and then it's too late