Clownfish Disease ID

[jma97]

Hey all,

Have a pair of clowns in QT right now, and the larger of the two has been acting a little strange lately. I'm not sure if it has flukes or potentially brook. Basically, some small white pieces hanging from the gill/mouth area, and still eating but showing some small signs of struggling with pellets. Was wondering if someone could help me ID this, and some potential treatments? Going to FW dip them now have RO/DI water heating up with an airstone.

Also clown is not hanging out in the PVC as much anymore and more by where the HOB filter is putting out water.

Thanks!

 

[jma97]

3 and a half minute FW dip complete, clown definitely looking a bit lazier afterwards.. but the dip did get those items off the clown's face/gill area. Would still be helpful to know if #fishmedics think this is early stages of brook, and if so course of action for this clown and for the other clown in the QT tank. I don't have another setup to separate the two.

Also, for reference tank parameters are good no ammonia, 1.7-1.81ppm copper power since last Monday.

EDIT: not sure why video is not loading. will try and get that attached

 

[jma97]

Hopefully this works! Video is prior to bath. Youtube link below:

 

[jma97]

Here is post-dip video link. She's kind of hanging out in this spot since the dip, breathing has slowed since dip as well not sure if recovering from dip or worsening condition.



Thanks everyone in advance for your help, trying my best to keep her alive.

 

[sgdnycct]

I wasn’t able to get a good look at I. The first picture to see what the problem is. Good sings the FW dip worked. However, whatever was affecting it may still be in the aquarium water. I’d suggest if you do another FW dip to do it for both and transfer to new water.

Hopefully this bump will help and folks with more experience will chime in.

 

[jma97]

Thanks for the quick reply. I did a 100% WC yesterday, so not sure if it's just stressed out or if something developing. I can always do another 100% WC. Other clown is not showing any symptoms, but considering it fully exposed to whatever the other one has and will do treatments for both (if needed / advised).

Update: I increased copper power dosage to 2.25ppm and have the following additional treatments on hand: PraziPro, Formalin + Methalyn Blue packs (Safety Stop).

 

[Jay Hemdal]

Here is post-dip video link. She's kind of hanging out in this spot since the dip, breathing has slowed since dip as well not sure if recovering from dip or worsening condition.



Thanks everyone in advance for your help, trying my best to keep her alive.

From what I can see, I would think this is either a water quality issue ( what are you testing with?) or it is Brooklynella.

Safety Stop part A is formalin. That can be dangerous to use in a home, (don't breath the fumes, and discard it when done) but it would also be helpful with treating Brooklynella. You might consider trying a part A dip as directed on the packaging and see if that gives any improvement. If so, you could consider using Ruby Reef Rally Pro, which is a bit less effective, but safer to use in a home.

 

[jma97]

From what I can see, I would think this is either a water quality issue ( what are you testing with?) or it is Brooklynella.

Safety Stop part A is formalin. That can be dangerous to use in a home, (don't breath the fumes, and discard it when done) but it would also be helpful with treating Brooklynella. You might consider trying a part A dip as directed on the packaging and see if that gives any improvement. If so, you could consider using Ruby Reef Rally Pro, which is a bit less effective, but safer to use in a home.

Understood -- I don't have Reef Rally Pro on hand so I will treat with Safety Stop part A. I can do this in a bucket outside as well (nice and warm here in Miami). Clown is acting normal after a recovery from the FW dip (see video below) and is swimming about the tank, looking for food, etc.

I've been testing daily for ammonia and PH with API (I know this isn't the best kit out there) but also did baseline tests for ammonia when the water was mixed with Copper Power (was reading ~.25ppm ammonia when freshly mixed) and my ammonia has not climbed significantly. PH at 8.0 consistently, same as my DT.

Should I wait until tomorrow to treat with Part A (so as to not stress the fish like crazy since I already FW dipped today?). Also, if indeed brook, what would you recommend about the QT tank and next steps.

Linking video here of clown after a recovery from the FW dip:

 

[jma97]

I also just added a little bit of pellets into the tank to see what reaction would be and the fish is eating healthily.

 

[Jay Hemdal]

Understood -- I don't have Reef Rally Pro on hand so I will treat with Safety Stop part A. I can do this in a bucket outside as well (nice and warm here in Miami). Clown is acting normal after a recovery from the FW dip (see video below) and is swimming about the tank, looking for food, etc.

I've been testing daily for ammonia and PH with API (I know this isn't the best kit out there) but also did baseline tests for ammonia when the water was mixed with Copper Power (was reading ~.25ppm ammonia when freshly mixed) and my ammonia has not climbed significantly. PH at 8.0 consistently, same as my DT.

Should I wait until tomorrow to treat with Part A (so as to not stress the fish like crazy since I already FW dipped today?). Also, if indeed brook, what would you recommend about the QT tank and next steps.

Linking video here of clown after a recovery from the FW dip:

Yes, since it temporarily improved after the FW dip, I would do the formalin tomorrow. Use good safety when handling it - gloves and eye protection.

 

[jma97]

Jay,

Thanks again for the advice. LFS had reef rally pro, so I picked some up. Would you recommend dipping the fish in Rally Pro insead of the formalin?

My plan would be to set up the reef rally dip @2x concentration in a bucket with an air stone for 90 min, do a 100% water change, and then set the QT tank back up without copper and to dose rally pro in there according to instructions (1x/day, 3 days).

Let me know if this makes sense. Also, looking around, I can’t see a good guide for dipping in rally pro (concentration).

 

[jma97]

Lastly, I do have general cure on hand, so I can do this instead of copper in the QT tank after the rally dip as well, if this would be more effective.

 

[Jay Hemdal]

Jay,

Thanks again for the advice. LFS had reef rally pro, so I picked some up. Would you recommend dipping the fish in Rally Pro insead of the formalin?

My plan would be to set up the reef rally dip @2x concentration in a bucket with an air stone for 90 min, do a 100% water change, and then set the QT tank back up without copper and to dose rally pro in there according to instructions (1x/day, 3 days).

Let me know if this makes sense. Also, looking around, I can’t see a good guide for dipping in rally pro (concentration).

I would do the safety stop dip and then start your ruby reef dips. You can also dose the QT at the regular dose between daily dips.

General Cure won’t give much benefit against Brook.

Here is the issue though - the Brook diagnosis is still a bit open. It can be difficult to diagnose. You need to be very observant for any changes with the fish.

 

[jma97]

Awesome. They both appear normal this morning and the larger clown spent all night in the PVC. My only concern would be doing a formalin bath if not absolutely necessary.

Regardless, will do a 100% WC today to remove copper power, and run rally pro at normal dosage in QT.

If signs of brook tomorrow, will dip in formalin and then in rally pro from there on.

Since it appears healthy today, I just want to be less aggressive if you agree.

 

[jma97]

They both ate very well this am to add

 

[Jay Hemdal]

Awesome. They both appear normal this morning and the larger clown spent all night in the PVC. My only concern would be doing a formalin bath if not absolutely necessary.

Regardless, will do a 100% WC today to remove copper power, and run rally pro at normal dosage in QT.

If signs of brook tomorrow, will dip in formalin and then in rally pro from there on.

Since it appears healthy today, I just want to be less aggressive if you agree.

By all means, if the fish look better, continue with rally pro and hold the formalin “in your back pocket”.

You need to aerate the dip well if you use formalin.

 

[sgdnycct]

They both ate very well this am to add

Glad they are better.

 

[jma97]

Thank you everyone who has responded I very much appreciate the help and thoughtfulness to help out!

I will hold the formalin just in case, but they are responding well today to the water change and the rally pro treatment in the QT tank.

I think, likely, it was a water quality issue from the last water change (had done a 100% WC the evening prior to when I first noticed) or very early catch of brook. Regardless, the clown is 100% back to normal today and will continue to monitor and keep everyone updated. Even holding that dorsal fin up nice and high!

 

[jma97]

To keep everyone updated, they are doing very well today and I think today and tomorrow in the rally pro, then back to copper and restarting the 14 day clock.

Hopefully, drama free from here on out! Will let everyone know if it goes according to plan!

 

[sgdnycct]

Great news!