why is my mimic tang breathing heavily?

[knutcracker]

after a 25% water change two days ago
a previously healthy yellow tang is deteriorating. he is breathing heavily and is no longer swimming or eating.

please help me save him.

i have turned off the lighting and covered the display with black cloth.

TIA

[charlesr1958]

Rapid or laboured breathing in fish is a very good indicator of either water quality or parasitic problems.

I would first ensure that ammonia levels are non-detectable. Ammonia will "burn" their gills and reduce the gill's efficiency at extracting oxygen.

Also ensure the water is well aerated, either by water disturbance through having the water fall through the air, a powerhead allowed to break the surface, or better yet, an airstone.

Parasites usualy always attack the gills first since they are they most vunerable areas on a fish, any damage they cause can suffocate the fish. I would suspect brooklynella first since it is such a fast acting, and deadly parasite, Ich would be my second guess as to a specific parasite.

This link should walk you through any issues and help you to possible identify the problem(s).

Fish Disease Photo Identification and Treatment plans

Chuck

[smidoid]

Charles, do you think the O2 levels could have dropped perhaps with the water change? I only do water changes very slowly - and then, usually with well aerated water.

Knutcracker - I think Charles is right on the money. Study your other fish closely too - if it's brooky or ich you need to act fast before they all get hit.

[charlesr1958]

Were any and all fish quarantined before putting into the display tank?
What are your tank's details? Such as:
How long has it been setup -
How large is the tank and what livestock is in it? -
How is the tank set up (equipment) -
What are the testable water parameters? (ammonia etc etc) -
What is your freshwater source? Was it tested for ammonia? -
Do you have a new or young sandbed (less than six months old) and if it is young, did you disturb the sandbed (stir it up at all) ?

Chuck