New Copperband damaged fin

[PointerReefs]

Hey R2R,

Looking for some advice on what this might be and how to potentially treat it. So the story is I’ve gotten this copperband from my LFS, wasn’t quite eating but I’ve managed to get it to eat frozen now using clams and weaning it off of them onto what I feed the rest of my fish (LRS reef frenzy, Mysis, Brine)
There was a little bullying from my yellow tang for the first day but after that everyone has been on good terms. Worked all day yesterday then lights came on just 15 minutes ago this morning and I checked on the copperband to find this with his fins and body.. not sure what it might be. As I haven’t had to deal with any illnesses in my reef tank yet. Any input would be greatly appreciated still shows signs of wanting to eat. Roams tank freely.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Hey R2R,

Looking for some advice on what this might be and how to potentially treat it. So the story is I’ve gotten this copperband from my LFS, wasn’t quite eating but I’ve managed to get it to eat frozen now using clams and weaning it off of them onto what I feed the rest of my fish (LRS reef frenzy, Mysis, Brine)
There was a little bullying from my yellow tang for the first day but after that everyone has been on good terms. Worked all day yesterday then lights came on just 15 minutes ago this morning and I checked on the copperband to find this with his fins and body.. not sure what it might be. As I haven’t had to deal with any illnesses in my reef tank yet. Any input would be greatly appreciated still shows signs of wanting to eat. Roams tank freely.

That is a really severe bacterial infection stemming from some previous injury to its fin.

This will be difficult to treat. You need to move the fish to a well established quarantine tank and dose that with a broad spectrum, gram negative antibiotic such as kanaplex or neoplex.

There is a *slight* chance that if the aggression stops, that the fin will erode back to the body and the infection will stop there. If it continues into the fish's body, death will likely result.

 

[PointerReefs]

Hey R2R,

Looking for some advice on what this might be and how to potentially treat it. So the story is I’ve gotten this copperband from my LFS, wasn’t quite eating but I’ve managed to get it to eat frozen now using clams and weaning it off of them onto what I feed the rest of my fish (LRS reef frenzy, Mysis, Brine)
There was a little bullying from my yellow tang for the first day but after that everyone has been on good terms. Worked all day yesterday then lights came on just 15 minutes ago this morning and I checked on the copperband to find this with his fins and body.. not sure what it might be. As I haven’t had to deal with any illnesses in my reef tank yet. Any input would be greatly appreciated still shows signs of wanting to eat. Roams tank freely.

That is a really severe bacterial infection stemming from some previous injury to its fin.

This will be difficult to treat. You need to move the fish to a well established quarantine tank and dose that with a broad spectrum, gram negative antibiotic such as kanaplex or neoplex.

There is a *slight* chance that if the aggression stops, that the fin will erode back to the body and the infection will stop there. If it continues into the fish's body, death will likely result.

Alright. I’ll get going on that. I assume it got some damage from the tang chasing it initially starting from there. I’ll place in QT and locate something to treat it today. Thank you!

 

[PointerReefs]

Hey R2R,

Looking for some advice on what this might be and how to potentially treat it. So the story is I’ve gotten this copperband from my LFS, wasn’t quite eating but I’ve managed to get it to eat frozen now using clams and weaning it off of them onto what I feed the rest of my fish (LRS reef frenzy, Mysis, Brine)
There was a little bullying from my yellow tang for the first day but after that everyone has been on good terms. Worked all day yesterday then lights came on just 15 minutes ago this morning and I checked on the copperband to find this with his fins and body.. not sure what it might be. As I haven’t had to deal with any illnesses in my reef tank yet. Any input would be greatly appreciated still shows signs of wanting to eat. Roams tank freely.

That is a really severe bacterial infection stemming from some previous injury to its fin.

This will be difficult to treat. You need to move the fish to a well established quarantine tank and dose that with a broad spectrum, gram negative antibiotic such as kanaplex or neoplex.

There is a *slight* chance that if the aggression stops, that the fin will erode back to the body and the infection will stop there. If it continues into the fish's body, death will likely result.

Could copper be effective ? I have that on hand.

 

[PointerReefs]

Nvm guess copper is no good.. gotta wait a few hours for LFS to open up..

 

[PointerReefs]

Picked up this from LFS, contains Minocycline. Going to follow the instructions for the 6 day treatment, should be enough for 2 cycles in my 15 gallon I’m setting up right now for QT. If needed. Says no water changes needed until day 6 but I will monitor ammonia anyways.. probably should have gotten ammonia remover also..

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Picked up this from LFS, contains Minocycline. Going to follow the instructions for the 6 day treatment, should be enough for 2 cycles in my 15 gallon I’m setting up right now for QT. If needed. Says no water changes needed until day 6 but I will monitor ammonia anyways.. probably should have gotten ammonia remover also..

Ugh - despite what the label may say, all “cycline” antibiotics are inactivated by calcium in seawater, so should only be used in freshwater.

 

[Baylott224]

Its has a flame angel right on the box.lol

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Its has a flame angel right on the box.lol

Yeah - aquarium medication manufacturers are not known to be product experts. They are just packaging companies.

There is some talk that you can overcome the inactivation rate by raising the dose, but I’ve never seen a formula for doing that, seems risky to me.

Ask AI about “using tetracyclines in marine aquariums” - that will fully explain why they don’t work.

 

[PointerReefs]

Its has a flame angel right on the box.lol

dang, of course I’d get the wrong one. Thought about grabbing neoplex also.i’ll grab some.. since the minocycline is neutralized via calcium is it safe to just add the Neoplex into the same water?