Fuzzy White patch on clownfishes face

[ancel22]

Im new to reef tanks and started with two clownfish i bought around a month ago. I had noticed that one of them had a dark spot that seemed to be in/under his skin, and slightly bulging. he didn't seem to be eating

4 days later the spot had grown into a dark patch

6 days later i placed him in isolation with antibiotics

10 days later (today) the spot is now pale instead of dark, is very fuzzy, and covers a large area. He is now finally eating again

the fish store told me they must have cut their face on a sharp rock. is this a normal healing process for such an injury, or might it be something else? is the white just dead skin being shed like a scab?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Im new to reef tanks and started with two clownfish i bought around a month ago. I had noticed that one of them had a dark spot that seemed to be in/under his skin, and slightly bulging. he didn't seem to be eating

4 days later the spot had grown into a dark patch

6 days later i placed him in isolation with antibiotics

10 days later (today) the spot is now pale instead of dark, is very fuzzy, and covers a large area. He is now finally eating again

the fish store told me they must have cut their face on a sharp rock. is this a normal healing process for such an injury, or might it be something else? is the white just dead skin being shed like a scab?

Hi, welcome to Reef2Reef!

That last photo looks like a rare external fungal disease. I’ve treated that with daily formalin dips at 75 ppm, but that really isn’t safe to use in a home. Can you get ruby reef rally pro?

As a side note, those large glass pebbles are going to cause problems at some point - they allow uneaten food to drift down where the fish can’t get it.

 

[vetteguy53081]

This rot is from a fungal condition and best treated with either Seachem neoplex or Ruby rally pro which takes longer to take effect. Treat in a separate tank with clean mixed water and add air stone during treatment. If eating, feed brine shrimp which it can suck in while healing

 

[ancel22]

This rot is from a fungal condition and best treated with either Seachem neoplex or Ruby rally pro which takes longer to take effect. Treat in a separate tank with clean mixed water and add air stone during treatment. If eating, feed brine shrimp which it can suck in while healing

Thanks, ill order some Ruby Rally. What are the fish's chances of survival, and how long do you think it will take to heal? is my other fish in any danger of infection, or does this only happen after an injury?

 

[ancel22]

Hi, welcome to Reef2Reef!

That last photo looks like a rare external fungal disease. I’ve treated that with daily formalin dips at 75 ppm, but that really isn’t safe to use in a home. Can you get ruby reef rally pro?

As a side note, those large glass pebbles are going to cause problems at some point - they allow uneaten food to drift down where the fish can’t get it.

thanks, ill be sure to take the pebbles out. how long do you think i should expect recovery to take?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

thanks, ill be sure to take the pebbles out. how long do you think i should expect recovery to take?

I can’t really say. With formalin dips it takes a week or so of daily dips. Rally Pro is much safer to use, but also not as effective.