Fish Disease Index - Pictorial Guide

4FordFamily

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Great article! Thank you. Do you have any tips to help differentiate between the early stages of ich, brooklynella and velvet? The later stages are easier to identify. I found this very challenging.
You're not alone.

For ich it's the larger dots, and the slower progression typically over weeks before it takes over

For velvet the dots are smaller, much more numerous, and over the course of a week it will often go from minimal to a complete takeover coating your fish fatally

Brook seems to affect the very top and front half of the fish more, and has a tendency to look a bit like a white film or mucous is on the fish in some areas but early stages are very hard to tell, IMO

Behavior is another way, often velvet will materialize by the fish swimming in to powerheads before you notice spots because the gills are already quite damaged and this pushes oxygen through them and relieves the fish temporarily from suffocating (this is most frequently observed in tangs affected by velvet)

All three may lead a fish to "scratch"
 
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melypr1985

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Great article! Thank you. Do you have any tips to help differentiate between the early stages of ich, brooklynella and velvet? The later stages are easier to identify. I found this very challenging.

You're not alone.

For ich it's the larger dots, and the slower progression typically over weeks before it takes over

For velvet the dots are smaller, much more numerous, and over the course of a week it will often go from minimal to a complete takeover coating your fish fatally

Brook seems to affect the very top and front half of the fish more, and has a tendency to look a bit like a white film or mucous is on the fish in some areas but early stages are very hard to tell, IMO

Behavior is another way, often velvet will materialize by the fish swimming in to powerheads before you notice spots because the gills are already quite damaged and this pushes oxygen through them and relieves the fish temporarily from suffocating (this is most frequently observed in tangs affected by velvet)

All three may lead a fish to "scratch"

^^ This exactly. I'll add that sometimes- not always- but sometimes brook can look like ick but "pointy" as bits of slime starts peeling up. I can try to come up with some progression shots, though there's already good ones of velvet in humble's link.
 

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Someone told me that corals were easy and fish were hard. After 15 years or so of having African Cichlids I couldn't imagine the full truth of that statement. I don't post much but I read this forum a lot. I appreciate (and follow) the experts that we have here. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. You folks have really helped me have a beautiful reef in my living room.


https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/1-year-anniversary.266476/#post-3188714
 

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Pictorial Guide to Marine Fish Diseases

Use this guide to find a picture that most closely matches your fish's symptoms. Click the link, if available for more detailed information on the disease and how to treat it.


Ich (Cryptocaryon Irritans)


One of the most well-known parasites in the hobby. It is identified by salt-like dots on the body and/or fins. This parasite can live for years in the gills of the fish and go unnoticed by the hobbyist for that time. Behavioral symptoms include breathing heavily, flashing, scratching on the sand or rocks and head twitching. Treatment can be done several ways including Copper, Tank Transfer Method (TTM), Chloroquine Phosphate and Hypo salinity. It’s important to note that hypo salinity will not treat for some strains of ick.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/ich-cryptocaryon-irritans.191226/

Photo: Rcfiftyone
ich-rcfiftyone-jpg.464484

ich-unknown-jpg.464485


Velvet (Amyloodinium ocellatum)

This is a very fast acting parasite. It’s usually identified by a large amount of very small, sugar-like dots, flashing, scratching against the substrate or rocks, rapid breathing and swimming into the flow of a powerhead. Bacterial infections often accompany velvet and can kill the fish even if swift treatment for the velvet is administered and successful. The only (currently proven) treatments for velvet are copper and chloroquine phosphate. Note that sometimes velvet will show no outward symptoms before the fish dies, so watching for the behavioral symptoms is key.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/velvet-amyloodinium-ocellatum.217570/

Photo: Flybill
velvet-flybill-jpg.464486

Photo: Reefahholic
velvet-reefahholic-jpg.464487


Flukes

These are flatworms that are usually not seen until the infestation is severe. A freshwater dip will confirm their presence by turning the normally translucent worms opaque after 3-5 minutes in freshwater. Prazipro, general cure and formalin are effective treatments for flukes.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/flukes-–-general-guidelines.224423/
Photo: melypr1985
flukes-melypr1985-a-jpg.464489

Photo: melypr1985
flukes-melypr1985-b-jpg.464490

Unknown
flukes-unknown-jpg.464491


Black Ich (turbellarians)

Like black sprinkles over the body, this is another type of worm that attaches and feeds off of the fish. The same treatments for Flukes will work here as well. Prazipro, freshwater dips and formalin for the stubborn strains.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/black-ich-turbellarians.259912/

Photo: Fishyfingers
black-ich-fishyfingers-jpg.464503

Photo: FastFish
black-ich-fastfish-jpg.464506


Piscicolidae Worm

Round worms that aren’t as common in our hobby, but can be treated with formalin dips. Once removed, watch for infection in the areas the worms were attached.
Photo: Alexis Terlep
piscicolidae-worm-alexis-terlep-jpg.464508


Dactylogyrus trematodes

These are a type of fluke or flatworm, but not one that we encounter every day. The usual treatments for flukes like Prazipro, General Cure, Freshwater dips and Formalin will all work for this.

Photo: Danny N
dactylogyrus-trematodes-danny-n-jpg.464509


Brooklynella

While this disease is often found in clownfish, it can affect any fish. It is often identified by an appearance of the skin sloughing off but can present in several different ways including ick-like spots or even almost look like velvet. This is a fast killer and needs to be treated quickly when symptoms are first spotted. Treatment includes Metroplex, Acriflavine, Freshwater dips and Formalin. Repeated treatments may be needed to clear the fish completely along with transferring the fish to a sterile tank in between dips.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/brooklynella.247938/
Photo: 4theloveofish
brook-4theloveofish-jpg.464510

Photos: Unknown
brook-humblefish-a-jpg.464511
brook-humblefish-b-jpg.464512


Bacterial Infection

These are very common and present in many ways. They can show as dark patches, white patches, torn or tattered fins, cloudy eyes, and red streaks or sores. There are two basic types of infections and each have their own challenges. Gram positive infections can be much slower acting, but can sometimes be difficult to spot before it’s late in the infection. Gram positive infections act quickly, sometimes killing the fish within 24 hours of onset. Treatment should be done with a broad-spectrum antibiotic or combining antibiotics for the widest spectrum possible. Combining Kanaplex, Furan 2 and Metroplex has the potential for providing the widest spectrum of antibiotics for a gram negative (or even a particularly stubborn gram positive infection) and can be combine safely together.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/bacterial-infections.191511/
Photo: Orly20
bacterial-infection-orly20-jpg.464513

Photos: jocquill
bacterial-infection-jocquill-b-jpg.464514

Photo: cmcoker
bacterial-infection-cmcoker-jpg.464515


Popeye – Infection/Injury

Identified by swelling of the eye or eyes. Typically, if just one eye is swollen, then it can be attributed to injury. When it’s both eyes, they will usually be cloudy and it’s either caused by an injury in one eye getting infected and it spreading to the other eye… OR a parasite like Flukes in the eyes which caused a secondary infection.

Photo: squalo_75
popeye-squalo_75-jpg.464577

Photo: terri_ann (injury + infection)
popeye-terri_ann-jpg.464578


Lymphocystis

A virus that presents as a small white spot, often confused for ich at first, that will stay in one place and grow in size. When larger it can look like cauliflower bits, usually on the fins, but can also be found on the body and face. It’s not typically dangerous unless it grows over the mouth or gills or internally on key organs. There is no treatment besides vitamins, low stress and pristine water conditions.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/lymphocystis.257461/

Photo: sbenus
lympho-sbenus-jpg.464579


Intestinal worms/Internal parasites


White, stringy poop indicates intestinal worms and can sometimes be accompanied by weight loss despite the fish eating well. This is a slow disease as long as the fish is eating. Soaking Metroplex in the food is the best course of action, but it can be dosed in the water as well as General Cure for a second choice of treatment.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/internal-parasites-intestinal-worms.267419/

intestinal-worms-humblefish-png.464580


Hyper-Melanization

Common in clownfish, this appears as brown spots or ovals where a stinging coral or nem as come into contact with the fish’s skin. Typically nothing needs to be done to cure this as the clown becomes accustomed to it’s new host’s sting. This can occur with other fish, but again no action needs to be taken. It will heal up on it’s own.
hypermalinization-png.464581


HLLE – Head and Lateral Line Erosion

This usually starts out on the face, but not always. It will appear as the skin pealing from the face or eroding away. Holes (small or large) will appear on the face, head and along the lateral line of the fish. Good nutrition, clean water and low stress can help stop the erosion and sometimes heal it over some.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/hlle-head-lateral-line-erosion.259916/

hlle-humblefish-jpg.464582

Photo: LeonThePeon
hlle-leonthepeon-jpg.464583


Uronema Marinum

Red soars that seem to kill quickly. It’s mostly (but not exclusive to) Chromis and clownfish. Treatment is difficult and can include Acriflavine, Metroplex, Copper or Chloroquine Phosphate.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/uronema-marinum.247940/

Photo: Reefahholic
uronema-reeferhholic-jpg.464584


Rectal Prolapse

Identified by a protruding anus, a rectal prolapse can be caused by constipation, straining or even unknown parasitic infection. These things will usually correct themselves and adding vitamins to the food and dosing kanaplex can help with keep it from getting infected while it’s out. Premium water quality should be a priority during and after this time as well. On larger fish who don’t appear to be getting better, it’s possible to correct the issue yourself and use a purse-string suture to keep the anus inside the body until it’s healed.

Photo: mmarro99
prolapse-mmarro99-jpg.464588

Photos: M&M
prolapse-m-m-b-jpg.464589
prolapse-m-m-jpg.464590


Distended Mouth -Locked open

This is a condition that can be caused by a physical trauma or if the fish bites (or comes into contact with) a stinging coral. Unfortunately, there is no treatment for this. It will either self-correct or it won’t.

Photo: cryotek74
distended-mouth-cryotek74-jpg.464591


Abscess

Fluid filled area of skin, that usually self-corrects. There’s no real treatment besides vitamins, healthy foods, clean water to help it along.
Photo: haleyf1024
abcess-haleyf1024-jpg.464593
Merryl...great, super job...really needed...I'd like to share this on the Catskill Reef...god knows, many of us need it...any way to do that?
 

4FordFamily

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Great job Mel- definitely makes for easier references to find. Now, here's the question. Where do you guys find the time to do all that you do? You, humble,4 ford, and a slew of others. Thanks again!
I don't, unfortunately you all get less of me over the past few months. I do my best though and the wonderful community here does a good job of tagging me @4FordFamily where I'm most needed and helpful!. :)

Thanks for the kind words, Mel and humble and recently Brew are the ones doing most of the work!
 
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melypr1985

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Great job Mel- definitely makes for easier references to find. Now, here's the question. Where do you guys find the time to do all that you do? You, humble,4 ford, and a slew of others. Thanks again!
Thank you. I think we all do it in little spurts when and where we can and rely on each other to pick up the slack when needed.
 

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I have a blonde naso tang in quarantine and this developed on one of his pelvis fin. Can you identify what this is and how to treat it? I've been using cupramine, but it hasn't disappeared, in fact it gotten larger. The fish is eating and swimming around.

IMG_9375.JPG


IMG_9375.JPG
 
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melypr1985

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I have a blonde naso tang in quarantine and this developed on one of his pelvis fin. Can you identify what this is and how to treat it? I've been using cupramine, but it hasn't disappeared, in fact it gotten larger. The fish is eating and swimming around.

IMG_9375.JPG


IMG_9375.JPG

Is there any way we could get a better picture? I'm not sure what I'm looking at in this one.

I will say that if it looked like ick at first and only got larger, that sounds very much like lympho. I'd like to get a good look at it though
 

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