Does anyone know what this is?

[Javeii]

Hi everyone, just now I noticed a new marking on the head of my 6line. I introduced him to the tank two days ago and he seemed healthy at the store and is currently swimming around like normal in the tank and picking at rocks.

Is this bad? I'm new to the hobby and haven't been able to find anything like this on the forums. I did acclimate him using the drip method for about an hour and all the basic params in the tank are fine.

Here's a pic

Thanks for the help.

 

[GHsaltie]

@Humblefish @melypr1985
Is it possible you can get a little closer pic? I can't see it very well and haven't the slightest clue what it is but hopefully these two will chime in soon. Maybe he bumped his head on something?

 

[Javeii]

@Humblefish @melypr1985
Is it possible you can get a little closer pic? I can't see it very well and haven't the slightest clue what it is but hopefully these two will chime in soon. Maybe he bumped his head on something?

I will try to get a better one, he's still a bit shy when people are moving around. I have noticed that he does like to squeeze through small holes in the rocks. Some that the crabs won't even go into. Hopefully it's just that, a bump on the head. But what I observe is a slight dark depression with a white ring surrounding. Maybe that helps. Thanks for your input.

 

[GHsaltie]

That's what I thought it looked like, it's very odd looking.

 

[GHsaltie]

Is it raised like a bump or does it appear more inflamed? I wonder if he got poked on something....

 

[Javeii]

Is it raised like a bump or does it appear more inflamed? I wonder if he got poked on something....

Here's a closer shot:

 

[Javeii]

I'm no fish expert, but I don't see inflammation, if anything it's slightly depressed with that white ring being slightly elevated.

 

[GHsaltie]

I looked at the pictures on my computer and it looks like a wound but I don't want to say for certain without hearing from the disease experts. Given the holiday they probably won't get to it right away, so in the meantime I'll do some research and see if I can come up with anything.

 

[Javeii]

I looked at the pictures on my computer and it looks like a wound but I don't want to say for certain without hearing from the disease experts. Given the holiday they probably won't get to it right away, so in the meantime I'll do some research and see if I can come up with anything.

Thank you for taking the time, I'm a bit more reassured now. [emoji4]

 

[GHsaltie]

I haven't found anything definitive yet, and I don't want to steer you wrong by making a suggestion right now. I did find a tiny blip on another thread about a tang with an injury that was interesting. It was mentioned that white around an "injury" is indicative of infection. Whatever this is it might would be beneficial to get a QT tank set up, if you are able, that way it's ready if you need to take him out for treatment. Do you have any broad spectrum antibiotics, such as kanaplex? Or even methylene blue might help in a pinch. IF it's an injury and needs treating a broad spectrum antibiotic would be what you need. I am no expert and by no means am I suggesting treatment right now, but at least this will have some questions already answered when @Humblefish and @melypr1985 stop by.

 

[GHsaltie]

Have you noticed anything else off with his behavior? Eating, swimming good? Does he do any twitching or scratching? Swimming into the powerhead or heavy breathing? I don't think any of these questions are related to his current issues but you never know what other issues you may find aside from the obvious.

 

[stevo01]

Bite wound from clownfish?

 

[Javeii]

Have you noticed anything else off with his behavior? Eating, swimming good? Does he do any twitching or scratching? Swimming into the powerhead or heavy breathing? I don't think any of these questions are related to his current issues but you never know what other issues you may find aside from the obvious.

I've only had him for a couple of days, but his behavior seems unchanged. There was a quibble with the clowns when introduced, but since those first 6hrs, they seem to get along. Will continue close observations

 

[GHsaltie]

Did you notice a wound after introduction, or was it just recent? That might support @stevo01 theory of a bite from the clowns. Definitely watch the behavior between the fish. Just because they seem to get along right now doesn't mean they are always playing nice. They could have had a scuffle during the night or while you were away. How is it looking today, any change at all?

 

[stevo01]

Did you notice a wound after introduction, or was it just recent? That might support @stevo01 theory of a bite from the clowns. Definitely watch the behavior between the fish. Just because they seem to get along right now doesn't mean they are always playing nice. They could have had a scuffle during the night or while you were away. How is it looking today, any change at all?

Hey thanks :)

 

[melypr1985]

It's hard to tell from the pictures but it could be an infection. More likely it's some kind of parasite like a small isopod or something similar. Can you do a freshwater dip on him and see if it comes off? That doesn't look like any bite wound I've ever seen for the record.

Freshwater Dip: Provides temporary relief for Brooklynella, Flukes & "Black Ich", Marine Velvet disease (Amyloodinium); possibly even Ich & Uronema marinum (both unproven). Can be used to confirm the presence of Flukes.

How To Treat - Fill a bucket with RODI water, and use a heater to match the temperature to the water the fish is coming from. Aerate the water heavily for at least 30 minutes prior to doing the dip, then discontinue aeration while performing the dip. Fish aren’t overly pH sensitive for short durations like this, but you can squirt a little tank water into the dip just before the fish goes in to help bring it up.

Place the fish in the freshwater (FW) dip and observe closely. It is not unusual for them to freak out a little at first. Also, tangs are notorious for “playing dead” during a FW dip. The important thing is to watch their gills; they should be breathing heavily at all times during the dip. If breathing slows, it’s time to exit the dip. Dip the fish for no longer than 5 minutes. Multiple dips may be done, but it’s important to give your fish a day to recuperate in-between dips.

For flukes, use a dark (preferably black) bucket so you can see if tiny white worms fall out of the fish (especially out of the gills) at around the 3-4 minute mark. The worms will settle to the bottom, so you can use a flashlight to look for them there as well.

Pros - Provides temporary relief for a wide range of diseases in a chemical free environment. Can “buy you more time” until a proper treatment can be done.

Cons/Side Effects - Not a permanent “fix” for any disease, as FW dips are not potent enough to eradicate all of the parasites/worms afflicting the fish. Some fish can have an adverse reaction to a FW dip by appearing unable to maintain their equilibrium once returned to the aquarium. If this happens, hold the fish upright (using latex, nitrile or rubber gloves), and gently glide him through the water (to get saltwater flowing through the gills again). It is also a good idea to place the fish in an acclimation box until he appears “normal”.

 

[Javeii]

Thank you guys very much for your speedy input. I was able to observe the fish briefly at different times yesterday as well as this morning. He seems fine as far as appetite and is swimming around like the first day I got him. I will try the freshwater dip to see if that'll do anything. Will update if condition worsens. Thanks again