Clown Fish Disease??

[ClearBlueH20]

Anyone have a diagnosis suggestion for this?

 

[jhemdal1]

It looks like mechanical damage to me, but it could be Uronema. Eventually, secondary bacterial infection could become an issue. I don't see any redness that would indicate a direct bacterial cause. When a fish loses this much of its skin, it has difficulty osmoregulating. In some cases, they simply die from that. I've heard people say that moving the fish to water with a lower S.G. (say around 1.016) helps because that level is isotonic with their blood. Sounds good to me, but I don't know of any proof that it helps though.

Some follow-up questions might help:

1) Do you know what caused this, or did it just show up?
2) Is there a similar lesion on the other side of the fish?
3) How long has it had this and is it growing larger?
4) How are the other fish in the tank doing, and what species are they?

Jay

 

[ClearBlueH20]

It looks like mechanical damage to me, but it could be Uronema. Eventually, secondary bacterial infection could become an issue. I don't see any redness that would indicate a direct bacterial cause. When a fish loses this much of its skin, it has difficulty osmoregulating. In some cases, they simply die from that. I've heard people say that moving the fish to water with a lower S.G. (say around 1.016) helps because that level is isotonic with their blood. Sounds good to me, but I don't know of any proof that it helps though.

Some follow-up questions might help:

1) Do you know what caused this, or did it just show up?
2) Is there a similar lesion on the other side of the fish?
3) How long has it had this and is it growing larger?
4) How are the other fish in the tank doing, and what species are they?

Jay

We just awoke one morning and noticed that she had lost a quarter-sized area of scales from her side. It just looked like skin. I noticed no abrasion or other telltale signs of a scuffle. There was a small patch missing from the other side near her tail a day later. Over the next few days, the small 1 cm patch seemed to heal, and he scales have filled in. But, the larger area on the opposing side developed a small white patch on her lateral line. The area around the white patch seems to be improving, but I cannot be certain at this point. You mentioned mechanical damage. This was something I considered but rejected earlier because of the small area on the opposing side. However, this injury appeared after I "upset" the location of her anenomie while searching for a fish that had been MIA for a number of days. I cannot find the other fish anywhere and suspect that my crabs, shrimp and snails got the better of it. But, after "her rock" was moved, the anenomie settled into a nook that is not very "comfortable" for this maroon. She seemed irritated with the move and began showing some agression shortly thereafter. The rock around the anenomie's new location is rough and I could see how she could injure that area if she was "throwing a tantrum." The white area has grown larger, but it is now stable at the size depicted in the photo. All the fish get along fine. She ignores much of what goes on around her as long as the other fish steer clear of her anenomie. I have a medium purple tang that rules the roost, but he is really a "peacekeeper." He injects himself between others in dispute. I also have a small (3cm) blue tang, who was the purple's tankmate at the store. I kept them together and they are fine, despite what some have said is a stressor. I have one 3cm black clown who lays in his hairy green mushroom all day long and 3 small orange clowns, who mind their business in the opposite side of the tank. We also have a wrasse that hides all day and is only seen in the early am. The missing fish was a coral beauty. Its been a week now and I am fairly certain the CB is dead. Our last fish is a mandarin goby. He just cruises for bugs in the rock caves.

So, question is, is there something I can do? My water levels are as near perfect as I have ever had them. Is there an abx or meds that can be added safely to the reef tank that will not kill my mushrooms, polyps and other soft corals? I have added coral Max. I am trying to keep stress level down with the maroon and cringe thinking about having to chase her around the reef with a net, putting her into an uncycled QT, and pulling her away from her anenomie. If that's what has to be done to save her, then so be it. I bought a small 12 gallon system last night for QT, and was going to use her water, try to salvage a piece of filter from my big tank and incorporate it into the new system to help the new tank get up to speed, but wanted some advice before I pulled the trigger because (1) Everything around the white area looks like it is healing (2) She acts normal (3) She has no reddened areas (4) Her breathing is fine (5) She has a good appetite. Any help is appreciated.

 

[jhemdal1]

Sorry, I can't recommend any treatment for that fish in the tank that it's in now. If you could move it to a quarantine tank, you could try the lower S.G. that I mentioned, as well as perhaps a broad spectrum antibiotic.

I'm still inclined to think mechanical damage of some sort - and since it doesn't look infected, I'd say leave it alone for now - unless it worsens.

Jay

 

[ClearBlueH20]

Sorry, I can't recommend any treatment for that fish in the tank that it's in now. If you could move it to a quarantine tank, you could try the lower S.G. that I mentioned, as well as perhaps a broad spectrum antibiotic.

I'm still inclined to think mechanical damage of some sort - and since it doesn't look infected, I'd say leave it alone for now - unless it worsens.

Jay

Thanks for your help and advice. I will report back in a few days.

 

[Anonymous]

I agree with Jay, looks like an abrasion.
The sudden way in which it appeared speaks to that as well.