Clownfish Abrasion

[Benny’sTank]

Hi all, longtime lurker and first time poster. We returned home from a 3 day vacation yesterday, and one of our clownfish had what looked like a slight mark on her lip. However, upon returning home from work today it looks like what we thought was a small mark has spread. I’ll upload a video.

She’s eating great, is still active, and our other clown acts fine.

We’ve had her for almost a year, and we haven’t added anything else to the tank in the last several months, so I’m less concerned about the scary diseases (Brook) unless someone tells me that it could be dormant all this time.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance for the help, happy to officially join R2R!

 

[Benny’sTank]

Adding video.

 

[Jay Hemdal]

Hi all, longtime lurker and first time poster. We returned home from a 3 day vacation yesterday, and one of our clownfish had what looked like a slight mark on her lip. However, upon returning home from work today it looks like what we thought was a small mark has spread. I’ll upload a video.

She’s eating great, is still active, and our other clown acts fine.

We’ve had her for almost a year, and we haven’t added anything else to the tank in the last several months, so I’m less concerned about the scary diseases (Brook) unless someone tells me that it could be dormant all this time.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance for the help, happy to officially join R2R!

I don't think it is Brooklynella, the timing is wrong and it just doesn't look like it.

I think this is an injury. Clowns often "lock lips" and dynamics frequently change between clowns in a tank. You may never see it happen, as when you are in the room, they stop and watch you.

If it gets infected, you would need to treat it with a broad spectrum, gram negative antibiotic in a treatment tank, but as long as it is eating well, I would just watch it for now.

Jay

 

[Benny’sTank]

I don't think it is Brooklynella, the timing is wrong and it just doesn't look like it.

I think this is an injury. Clowns often "lock lips" and dynamics frequently change between clowns in a tank. You may never see it happen, as when you are in the room, they stop and watch you.

If it gets infected, you would need to treat it with a broad spectrum, gram negative antibiotic in a treatment tank, but as long as it is eating well, I would just watch it for now.

Jay

Thanks, Jay. I’ll keep an eye on it.

A separate thread I found here on R2R mentioned mouthing. I have a hammer that looks a bit retracted. Could that be it?

 

[Jay Hemdal]

Thanks, Jay. I’ll keep an eye on it.

A separate thread I found here on R2R mentioned mouthing. I have a hammer that looks a bit retracted. Could that be it?

Yes - I wondered if it might have been the coral as well, but that usually causes black sting marks. However, on a black clown, those spots may look different.

Black clowns show mucus so clearly compared to orange clowns....

 

[Benny’sTank]

Updated video. Infection(?) appears to be growing/spreading. I’ll be moving her into a treatment tank tonight and dosing Neoplex.

Other advice welcome.

 

[Benny’sTank]

Photo from today:

 

[Benny’sTank]

Moving her into a treatment tank now. Simple overhang filter. Given the stress involved, would there be a need to add any hiding spots for her?

 

[Benny’sTank]

Yes - I wondered if it might have been the coral as well, but that usually causes black sting marks. However, on a black clown, those spots may look different.

Black clowns show mucus so clearly compared to orange clowns....

Any thoughts Jay?

 

[Benny’sTank]

@vetteguy53081 sorry to drag you into this, but I noticed your post on another thread. Any advice?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Moving her into a treatment tank now. Simple overhang filter. Given the stress involved, would there be a need to add any hiding spots for her?

provide a couple of PVC elbows for hiding and an air stone and appears bacterial in which I would use Seachem Kanaplex or neoplex

 

[Jay Hemdal]

Moving her into a treatment tank now. Simple overhang filter. Given the stress involved, would there be a need to add any hiding spots for her?

Yes, I would include some hiding spots. If you can move some rock from your display, that will help supply beneficial bacteria that will help with any ammonia issues.

 

[Benny’sTank]

Thanks @vetteguy53081 @Jay Hemdal

She’s been in the treatment tank overnight with neoplex, and it looks like the mucus production around her face has significantly decreased, but the area still appears swollen - leading me to think that this was likely injury followed by infection. Thoughts?

She also didn’t want any of the food (I placed a small amount to avoid any ammonia spike) that I tried to feed her. Appetite suppression doesn’t seem surprising to me, but if you think this is a bad sign any advice for encouraging her to eat? I tried hikari pellets (which she typically prefers over frozen brine), but am willing to introduce new food options if needed.

 

[Benny’sTank]

Harder to get great photos in the treatment tank as she is wary and shy (ps I haven’t made it to pick up PVC yet, which I’ll try to do at lunch).

 

[vetteguy53081]

Thanks @vetteguy53081 @Jay Hemdal

She’s been in the treatment tank overnight with neoplex, and it looks like the mucus production around her face has significantly decreased, but the area still appears swollen - leading me to think that this was likely injury followed by infection. Thoughts?

She also didn’t want any of the food (I placed a small amount to avoid any ammonia spike) that I tried to feed her. Appetite suppression doesn’t seem surprising to me, but if you think this is a bad sign any advice for encouraging her to eat? I tried hikari pellets (which she typically prefers over frozen brine), but am willing to introduce new food options if needed.

Pellets will not be enticing. . . . Live or frozen brine shrimp, mysis shrimp are better. Assure levels are within norms
Neoplex will take a full day or two to start working

 

[Benny’sTank]

Video from today. It’s hard to tell how much in the video, but she’s still very swollen.

She shows an interest in food, but I haven’t caught her actually eating anything. Hopefully she’s just too nervous when we’re by the tank.

Any advice is appreciated @vetteguy53081 @Jay Hemdal

 

[Benny’sTank]

Second attempt at uploading video.

 

[Benny’sTank]

Photos from today.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Video from today. It’s hard to tell how much in the video, but she’s still very swollen.

She shows an interest in food, but I haven’t caught her actually eating anything. Hopefully she’s just too nervous when we’re by the tank.

Any advice is appreciated @vetteguy53081 @Jay Hemdal

one way to tell is to set your cell phone on video mode for about 25 mins and drop a little food and walk away - YOU MUST walk away as they know youre there.
Review the video after and see if it eats in your absence

 

[Benny’sTank]

Just got these which allow for a better view of the injury(?). Any ideas what could’ve caused it?