Flesh Eating Bacteria?

[Reefer5640]

Hey guys I could use some input with this one. About three days ago I noticed a white film just behind one of our clowns head (maybe a small patch would be a better way to describe it). At that same time I noticed our white cheek hanging out in a low flow area and I decided to keep a closer eye on them. (Would have started QT right away to gain an upper hand but I was in the last two days of a batch of fish that was just finishing TTM). They seemed fine the next day and hadn’t lost their appetite. Then today my wife noticed these patches of flesh deteriorating on the tang. The clown still looks the same. Both are swimming around fine and eating as usual so I’m hopeful to have a chance to beat this but I doubt I have more than one shot at this so I want to get it right.

They are housed together in a Frag tank with a green mandarin and some snails and hermits and a bunch of frags and a couple of rock flower nems. They were just being held their until I could start TTM as I do with all my fish.

I had a couple thoughts I’m leaning towards;
First, a serious bacterial infection in which case I’m going to start kannaplex and metroplex in the water column (and possibly Furan-2). I would also treat their food with focus and metro as well. I was thinking of dipping them before I put them in QT with malachite green as well just as an extra measure for anything random.

My other thought is a parasite or worm of some sort in which case I’d do a fresh water dip a treat with either prazipro or copper if I have to but I try really hard to stay away from copper. (Just not my preference...)

Anyway, any help would be greatly appreciated. Here are some pics.

 

[EmdeReef]

For wounds that large you need an antiseptic bath ( ruby rally) and then treat with metro-kana-furan. You should do it ASAP, as that can quickly kill.

I wouldn’t do freshwater dips at this point as it’s unlikely a parasite.

 

[Katrina71]

#reefsquad

 

[Reefer5640]

Thank you

 

[Reefer5640]

For wounds that large you need an antiseptic bath ( ruby rally) and then treat with metro-kana-furan. You should do it ASAP, as that can quickly kill.

I wouldn’t do freshwater dips at this point as it’s unlikely a parasite.

I’m out of ruby right now unfortunately. The next best thing I have is melafix. I also have methylene blue if you think that’d be if any help in this scenario...

 

[EmdeReef]

I’m out of ruby right now unfortunately. The next best thing I have is melafix. I also have methylene blue if you think that’d be if any help in this scenario...

Methylene blue would work too for a quick bath.

I would start antibiotics ASAP regardless.

 

[Reefer5640]

K thank you for your input

 

[saltyhog]

Agree completely with @EmdeReef . Good luck, that's a beautiful Gold Rim!

 

[Mike.P]

Methylene blue would work too for a quick bath.

I would start antibiotics ASAP regardless.

I second this. Also, I would probably go 1.5x the dose on the blue at this point. Can you get your hands on some Paraguard?

 

[Reefer5640]

I second this. Also, I would probably go 1.5x the dose on the blue at this point. Can you get your hands on some Paraguard?

Yes I have ParaGuard. You recommending a bath or dip or dosing it in addition to the antibiotics?

 

[Mike.P]

Yes I have ParaGuard. You recommending a bath or dip or dosing it in addition to the antibiotics?

I would do a long bath in the Paraguard, and add a few drops of methylene blue to it as well. If you have a small powerhead and heater put them in bucket too, as it'll be less stressful. Also add a bunch of water conditioner (or whatever you have that have for slime coat) to your main tank.