Injury or illness? (New fish)

[MarineRookie]

Hi all, I’ve had a tank for a few years but I’d still say I’m a rookie in knowledge. I picked up this blue damsel today and I’ve noticed this mark once it was swimming around in my tank.

I don’t have a quarantine tank as it’s not possible at the moment, so I can’t remove it from the tank. Is this an injury from exploring the new tank or an illness that needs treating, please? I took the best picture I could.

If it does need treatment the tank is fish only so hopefully I will be able to use medicine as there are no invertebrates or corals.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Hi all, I’ve had a tank for a few years but I’d still say I’m a rookie in knowledge. I picked up this blue damsel today and I’ve noticed this mark once it was swimming around in my tank.

I don’t have a quarantine tank as it’s not possible at the moment, so I can’t remove it from the tank. Is this an injury from exploring the new tank or an illness that needs treating, please? I took the best picture I could.

If it does need treatment the tank is fish only so hopefully I will be able to use medicine as there are no invertebrates or corals.

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

Overall, this fish is very pale. Was it like that at the store before you got it?
What other fish are in with it?
What are your water quality readings?

 

[MarineRookie]

It was pale but not as noticeable in the store.
A second damsel and a pair of clowns that have been in for a few years.
Ammonia, nitrate, nitrite and phosphate are all 0.
Ph is 8.3

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

It was pale but not as noticeable in the store.
A second damsel and a pair of clowns that have been in for a few years.
Ammonia, nitrate, nitrite and phosphate are all 0.
Ph is 8.3

Sorry - I missed your reply yesterday!

I was trying to rule out Uronema, but it may be that issue. Here is an article I wrote up about it:
https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/uronema-red-band-disease-hemdal.788/

 

[MarineRookie]

Sorry - I missed your reply yesterday!

I was trying to rule out Uronema, but it may be that issue. Here is an article I wrote up about it:
https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/uronema-red-band-disease-hemdal.788/

No problem, I’m still learning the site so I didn’t reply directly to you sorry.

Thanks for the link. From my understanding of your write up if it is inter cellular Uronema there isn’t much I can do other than hope it doesn’t infect the other fish in the tank? And trying to medicate without a QT may do more harm than good to the other fish?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

No problem, I’m still learning the site so I didn’t reply directly to you sorry.

Thanks for the link. From my understanding of your write up if it is inter cellular Uronema there isn’t much I can do other than hope it doesn’t infect the other fish in the tank? And trying to medicate without a QT may do more harm than good to the other fish?

Correct, no treatment, but it also is not very contagious, if at all, to other fish. Other fish in the same importation group may show signs, but that’s because they all got infected during the supply chain.

 

[MarineRookie]

Correct, no treatment, but it also is not very contagious, if at all, to other fish. Other fish in the same importation group may show signs, but that’s because they all got infected during the supply chain.

That’s disappointing, but a relief for the Clowns. Fingers crossed the other damsel is fine but I’ll monitor over the next few days.

Thanks for your help.

 

[ItzOnlySmellz]

That’s disappointing, but a relief for the Clowns. Fingers crossed the other damsel is fine but I’ll monitor over the next few days.

Thanks for your help.

Not an expert, but just my experience.....
When i had a chromis with suspected uronema I used an aquarium isolation box that sat in my main tank until I set up a qt tank, was around 20 bucks. Option if you wanted to isolate.
Im not experienced with damsels, but arent they aggressive with eachother being introduced together?
Either way, would isolate and observe for change.
Best of luck.

 

[MnFish1]

To me it seems like Uronema - I do have a concern that you only noticed it just after bringing it home from the store. I would definitely ask for a replacement (though that is not the key issue here - just a suggestion). BTW - I would say another possibility is a scrape injury - the key being - is it worsening - and is the fish looking worse. Uronema can kill quite quickly

 

[MnFish1]

Not an expert, but just my experience.....

Great!

When i had a chromis with suspected uronema I used an aquarium isolation box that sat in my main tank until I set up a qt tank, was around 20 bucks. Option if you wanted to isolate.

I guess there are 2 options - 1. The procedure worked, 2. It wasn't Uronema - dont take this as a criticism - it can sometimes be difficult to tell.

Im not experienced with damsels, but arent they aggressive with eachother being introduced together?

Yes true

Either way, would isolate and observe for change.

Agree - observe for change - thats the key IMHO.

Best of luck.

:)

 

[ItzOnlySmellz]

Great!

I guess there are 2 options - 1. The procedure worked, 2. It wasn't Uronema - dont take this as a criticism - it can sometimes be difficult to tell.

Yes true

Agree - observe for change - thats the key IMHO.

:)

I do something wrong? Just trying to be helpful