Royal gramma discoloration near tail. flukes?

[Dknight43]

What’s up guys just recently picked up a royal gramma basslet and noticed some discoloration today, which may be from stress but I wanted to see what others thought. He ate pretty much as soon as I put him in the tank and hasn’t shown any symptoms other than the discoloration. Sorry for poor picture quality, I’ll retake pictures tomorrow when my filter comes in.

 

[Jay Hemdal]

What’s up guys just recently picked up a royal gramma basslet and noticed some discoloration today, which may be from stress but I wanted to see what others thought. He ate pretty much as soon as I put him in the tank and hasn’t shown any symptoms other than the discoloration. Sorry for poor picture quality, I’ll retake pictures tomorrow when my filter comes in.

These often have flukes, I prefer to treat them with prazipro.
However, that notch in the caudal fin is an injury. Did it come to you like? If not, something in your tank bit it.
Jay

 

[Double monti 61]

Tail fin looks like it’s split looks like it needs some help.

 

[Dknight43]

These often have flukes, I prefer to treat them with prazipro.
However, that notch in the caudal fin is an injury. Did it come to you like? If not, something in your tank bit it.
Jay

yes, I got it like this, i just noticed the discoloration today since he has been hiding since i got him aside from grabbing food and running back to his cave, and its only near the tail and its gradual discoloration which is why I thought it was maybe stress. my problem rn is I don't have a qt tank to use, is there an invert safe option to treat flukes. i plan to do a freshwater dip once can get some water up to temp though regardless.

edit: current stocking includes
2 lightning clowns
1 green chromis
1 six line wrasse
1 royal gramma
1 emerald crab
4 halloween hermits
4 snails
1 peppermint shrimp
1 skunk cleaner shrimp

 

[Dknight43]

Tail fin looks like it’s split looks like it needs some help.

yea im guessing he got bullied in the tank he was in at the fish store but not sure

 

[OrionN]

All I see is that he got beat up. I would try to provide best condition for him and watch him in QT. If he shows signs of disease, then treat him, if he eats and heal then let him be.

 

[vetteguy53081]

This is from aggression and likely from LFS. To assume its bacterial or fish needs help is absurd. If left alone should heal on its own as long as no fin ray damage which does not seem to be the case.
As for feeding- This is a shy fish at first often spending time seeking out territory. Also- What foods are you offering as this is not a fish to get excited with flake and pellet diet- Not a goldfish

 

[Dknight43]

All I see is that he got beat up. I would try to provide best condition for him and watch him in QT. If he shows signs of disease, then treat him, if he eats and heal then let him be.

Yea picture doesn’t show it too well it’s right where his splits and just go a little farther up, under blue light it’s more visible too me at least

 

[Dknight43]

This is from aggression and likely from LFS. To assume its bacterial or fish needs help is absurd. If left alone should heal on its own as long as no fin ray damage which does not seem to be the case.
As for feeding- This is a shy fish at first often spending time seeking out territory. Also- What foods are you offering as this is not a fish to get excited with flake and pellet diet- Not a goldfish

He’s been fed frozen Mysis and will nibble on a omnivore frozen mix I give to some of my other fish, I’m still really new to saltwater and aquariums in general. So this is all new to me I just want to make sure I’m handling stuff correctly sorry if I am jumping to conclusions, it wasn’t intended

 

[vetteguy53081]

He’s been fed frozen Mysis and will nibble on a omnivore frozen mix I give to some of my other fish, I’m still really new to saltwater and aquariums in general. So this is all new to me I just want to make sure I’m handling stuff correctly sorry if I am jumping to conclusions, it wasn’t intended

Youre doing good. You recognized imperfection and obtaining proper diets

 

[tanked4u]

Yes, you have a beat-up royal gramma. In fact, my six-line created a very similar looking injury to the tail fin of my gramma when the six-line was first introduced to my tank. They eventually sorted it out and are now living relatively peacefully.

It is a very positive sign the Gramma is eating well. You may be able to save this guy.

If possible, setup a quarantine tank for the gramma to recover and build strength. The quarantine tank does not need to elaborate. Here is my setup:

- 10 gallon tank w/ lid or screen
- heater
- hang on back filter
- PVC pipe for the fish to hide
- desk lamp on a timer to simulate day/night cycle
- Seachem Ammonia Alert badge

You should seed your tank with live rock or rubble from your display tank. Have some clean, pre-mixed saltwater ready to go if the ammonia starts to spike.

Leave the Gramma in there for 3-4 weeks. During this time, observe the gramma for indications of bacterial or parasite issues. Feed the gramma some high-quality fish food (I use LRS Nano Reef) soaked in vitamin supplement (e.g., Selcon). The Gramma will appreciate the alone time and should heal/recover from the wounds and stress.

If the quarantine tank is not possible, I would still feed the Gramma the LRS with vitamins and observe.

I would keep a close eye on your six-line. They can be an aggressive fish and cause problems. In the future, try to add the six-line last to your tank last.

For future reference, I would avoid purchasing a beat-up fish from the LFS. The stress can be a real killer.

Welcome to the club. This is a great hobby.

Good Luck!

 

[Dknight43]

Yes, you have a beat-up royal gramma. In fact, my six-line created a very similar looking injury to the tail fin of my gramma when the six-line was first introduced to my tank. They eventually sorted it out and are now living relatively peacefully.

It is a very positive sign the Gramma is eating well. You may be able to save this guy.

If possible, setup a quarantine tank for the gramma to recover and build strength. The quarantine tank does not need to elaborate. Here is my setup:

- 10 gallon tank w/ lid or screen
- heater
- hang on back filter
- PVC pipe for the fish to hide
- desk lamp on a timer to simulate day/night cycle
- Seachem Ammonia Alert badge

You should seed your tank with live rock or rubble from your display tank. Have some clean, pre-mixed saltwater ready to go if the ammonia starts to spike.

Leave the Gramma in there for 3-4 weeks. During this time, observe the gramma for indications of bacterial or parasite issues. Feed the gramma some high-quality fish food (I use LRS Nano Reef) soaked in vitamin supplement (e.g., Selcon). The Gramma will appreciate the alone time and should heal/recover from the wounds and stress.

If the quarantine tank is not possible, I would still feed the Gramma the LRS with vitamins and observe.

I would keep a close eye on your six-line. They can be an aggressive fish and cause problems. In the future, try to add the six-line last to your tank last.

For future reference, I would avoid purchasing a beat-up fish from the LFS. The stress can be a real killer.

Welcome to the club. This is a great hobby.

Good Luck!

The main aggressor I have is my female clown she is a d*ck lol but six line has been doing ok and pretty much stays to himself he was second to last in tank . I’ll try to get a little quarantine set up going here soon and keep an eye on the gramma

 

[Dknight43]

Thanks everyone for the help I appreciate it and I’ll post updates if anything else pops up

 

[Dknight43]

Update for everyone, I think it is skin flukes or something else here is some pics of my clowns for about 5 min ago, lmk if I am wrong #fishmedic
Edit: also noticed female is breathing rather heavy

 

[Jay Hemdal]

Flukes are tricky to ID visually - you can’t see the flukes, only the damage that they do; the skin looks rough, the eyes a bit cloudy, or in the case of gill flukes, rapid breathing.
If you suspect flukes, a 2x dose of Prazipro, with good aeration, 8 days apart will often work. This treatment can be done in the display so that’s a plus.
How is the gramma?
Jay

 

[Dknight43]

Flukes are tricky to ID visually - you can’t see the flukes, only the damage that they do; the skin looks rough, the eyes a bit cloudy, or in the case of gill flukes, rapid breathing.
If you suspect flukes, a 2x dose of Prazipro, with good aeration, 8 days apart will often work. This treatment can be done in the display so that’s a plus.
How is the gramma?
Jay

Gramma still has the spot near it’s tail but is eating fine so not too sure he’s been out and about and all seem to eat fine, is prazipro safe for inverts? And would you suggest a freshwater dip with the breathing ? And what is a good aeration to use i currently don’t have anything

 

[Jay Hemdal]

Prazipro is safe for invertebrates. A FW dip may buy you some time if you can’t get Prazipro right away. However, chasing fish all around to catch them for a dip often cases substantial stress and damage.
Jay

 

[Dknight43]

Prazipro is safe for invertebrates. A FW dip may buy you some time if you can’t get Prazipro right away. However, chasing fish all around to catch them for a dip often cases substantial stress and damage.
Jay

Ok thank you, I’ll just order the prazipro cause currently I only have metroplex and api general care unless either of those will work. I don’t want to cause them any more stress. And would a normal air stone work for aeration?

 

[Jay Hemdal]

Ok thank you, I’ll just order the prazipro cause currently I only have metroplex and api general care unless either of those will work. I don’t want to cause them any more stress. And would a normal air stone work for aeration?

General Cure has praziquantel in it, but it is not reef safe because it also has metronidazole.

Yes - a good airstone works fine. If you have a skimmer, that helps with aeration, just don't collect any skimmate while you are treating the tank.

Jay

 

[Dknight43]

Update after first dose of prazipro, not seeing much improvement doing water change today , fish are still eating fine so not sure what’s going on.
providing a vid showing the 2 clowns #fishmedic (I apologize to keep bugging you jay)