Clown lived through brookynella

[shan]

I had a clownfish that looked as if it had brookynella. I left him in my Solana with my other clown and firefish. Fed him mysis soaked in Garlic and kept the water as clean as I could. He was covered in white film for over a week. But always ate, and is now fine.

 

How long should I wait before adding another fish?

[Gwoardnog]

6-8 weeks

[32Bit_Fish]

I had a clownfish that looked as if it had brookynella. I left him in my Solana with my other clown and firefish. Fed him mysis soaked in Garlic and kept the water as clean as I could. He was covered in white film for over a week. But always ate, and is now fine.

 

How long should I wait before adding another fish?

 

I'm not sure the point of waiting to add new fish in your case since your tank was infected by brookynella. It makes sense to wait 6-8 weeks for parasites to die off. But you have fish in your tank, parasites would definitely thrive and re-attach to any fish in your tank.

 

If you chose to do the waiting game, then you need to remove all fish from your DT and treat them in a QT tank. Then leave your DT fishless for 6-8 weeks. I speak based on my experience. I lost 3 clownfish to brooklynella and my DT has been fishless for almost a month now.

[shan]

I'm not sure the point of waiting to add new fish in your case since your tank was infected by brookynella. It makes sense to wait 6-8 weeks for parasites to die off. But you have fish in your tank, parasites would definitely thrive and re-attach to any fish in your tank.

 

If you chose to do the waiting game, then you need to remove all fish from your DT and treat them in a QT tank. Then leave your DT fishless for 6-8 weeks. I speak based on my experience. I lost 3 clownfish to brooklynella and my DT has been fishless for almost a month now.

 

But wouldnt it come to a point where the parasite will die off? Apparently my fish are building an immunity to it? will the parasite always be there?

[32Bit_Fish]

But wouldnt it come to a point where the parasite will die off? Apparently my fish are building an immunity to it? will the parasite always be there?

 

No, they wont die as long as there are fish in the tank. Any new fish you will be adding to your tank will most likely be infected if they are stressed and have a weak immune system. New fish normally has a weak immune system upon arrival to their new home.

 

I lost 3 clownfish within a week. Two of them were in perfect healthy condition, I had no idea why they were infected. Brooklynella is very lethal and quick fish killer. Better not risk.

[ajmckay]

Look up the life cycle of Brooklynella Hostilis and wait at least that long (plus a little overlap) starting after the disappearance of your very last symptoms. 6-8 weeks is typically considered a good amount for most parasitic infestations though. Personally, I would wait longer though...

 

I would also seriously consider removing all of your fish into quarantine for separate observation/treatment. A fish cannot simply build up a complete immunity to a parasitic organism like this. It can affect fish differently though. Right now it might just be in the gill tissues of your other fish and you cannot see any immediate symptoms. This could go on for quite a while until it becomes so bad that the fish cannot tolerate it anymore at which point the symptoms will become apparent. As 32bit mentioned, when a new fish is added it will already have a weakened immune system which would allow the parasite to quickly take over it's new host, resulting in quick degradation and the death of the host.

 

Also, be sure to QT any future new additions just in case.

 

Good luck, you're lucky the fish survived so far... Also, what other symptoms did you have? Are you sure it is Brook?

[shan]

I thought it was brookynella, however maybe I am mistaken. The clown was covered in a whitish film, eyes were cloudy, fins a little ragged. He did not stop eating and he did not brush against rock. He did seem to hide a little more than usual, and a little more lethargic than normal. BUt he ascts perfectly normal now, eats well, skin is clear, and fins are healing. He interacts with my other clown as they always have.

[Gwoardnog]

And just like when some chef got poop on his hand while he was wiping, wiped it off on the tp and went back to the kitchen, he still gave salmonella to his guests.

 

Only all of your tank water is poopy!

 

 

Not the greatest analogy, but the sh!t's still around.

[shan]

And just like when some chef got poop on his hand while he was wiping, wiped it off on the tp and went back to the kitchen, he still gave salmonella to his guests.

 

Only all of your tank water is poopy!

 

 

Not the greatest analogy, but the sh!t's still around.

 

LOL Ewww!

[ajmckay]

What other symptoms did the fish exhibit? How long have you had this fish? Have you added anything to your tank recently that could have introduced a pathogen?

 

Brooklynella is generally pretty bad... I've never heard of fish overcoming it on their own.

 

Other possibilities are sporozoa (another parasite). They're eukaryotic though, so difficult to treat. Or Columnaris, which is bacterial, and can cause a whitish film and fin damage.

 

If you aren't sure what other symptoms the fish had, I would play it safe and QT all fish and observe them in QT for a period of 6-8 weeks.

[shan]

What other symptoms did the fish exhibit? How long have you had this fish? Have you added anything to your tank recently that could have introduced a pathogen?

 

Brooklynella is generally pretty bad... I've never heard of fish overcoming it on their own.

 

Other possibilities are sporozoa (another parasite). They're eukaryotic though, so difficult to treat. Or Columnaris, which is bacterial, and can cause a whitish film and fin damage.

 

If you aren't sure what other symptoms the fish had, I would play it safe and QT all fish and observe them in QT for a period of 6-8 weeks.

 

I had added a scopas tang about 6 weeks ago which got some ich, lived about 4 weeks then died. The clown started getting the whitish film on him after the tang died. I have had the clown about 18+ mos.

[ajmckay]

Tangs usually come in with nasties... QT is necessary.

 

Also, it looks like you've added some clams & such recently.

 

Even if you can't pinpoint the source, I would not add anything to the tank for quite some time. And seriously consider moving all remaining fish to QT for observation so that your DT can remain fallow such that there are no suitable hosts for any parasites/bacteria that might be in there. You could also try a UV sterilizer if you have one.