Royal Gramma flashing

[DavidA]

I have an IM 40g with softies and LPS. 10 days ago I added a Royal Gramma to the existing stock of 2 clown fish, neon blue cleaner goby, starry blenny and hectors goby. I admit, I quarantined the Gramma (no meds) for only 2 weeks (live and learn). 5 days ago I noticed 1 white spot on its tail. The next day it was gone but the gramma started flashing its right flank about once every 1-2 minutes. I knew there was no way I could catch the gramma or the other fish so if it was ich I had to manage it with suppression. I turned on the IM 11 watt UV light and reduced the flow through the overflow that feeds it (the IM UV uses the overflow rather than a pump) as much as possible. The gramma is flashing more frequently and now flashes both flanks as well as its gill areas. It has developed some loss of pigmentation (presumed abrasion) on the initial flank but has not had any more white spots This area is irregular and larger than a typical ick spot. It remains active and with a good appetite. The other fish are fine

Since I won't be able capture the gramma or other fish my main question is whether to assume this is ick and continue suppression or to entertain the possibility of flukes and treat the DT with prazipro. I have never treated a DT with prazipro and I am reluctant to trigger unintended consequences from prazipro. The gramma is difficult to photograph because it darts in and out of its cave but appears to be breathing normally. The presumed flank abrasion is impossible to see on the attached video

 

[vetteguy53081]

I have an IM 40g with softies and LPS. 10 days ago I added a Royal Gramma to the existing stock of 2 clown fish, neon blue cleaner goby, starry blenny and hectors goby. I admit, I quarantined the Gramma (no meds) for only 2 weeks (live and learn). 5 days ago I noticed 1 white spot on its tail. The next day it was gone but the gramma started flashing its right flank about once every 1-2 minutes. I knew there was no way I could catch the gramma or the other fish so if it was ich I had to manage it with suppression. I turned on the IM 11 watt UV light and reduced the flow through the overflow that feeds it (the IM UV uses the overflow rather than a pump) as much as possible. The gramma is flashing more frequently and now flashes both flanks as well as its gill areas. It has developed some loss of pigmentation (presumed abrasion) on the initial flank but has not had any more white spots This area is irregular and larger than a typical ick spot. It remains active and with a good appetite. The other fish are fine

Since I won't be able capture the gramma or other fish my main question is whether to assume this is ick and continue suppression or to entertain the possibility of flukes and treat the DT with prazipro. I have never treated a DT with prazipro and I am reluctant to trigger unintended consequences from prazipro. The gramma is difficult to photograph because it darts in and out of its cave but appears to be breathing normally. The presumed flank abrasion is impossible to see on the attached video

These fish are prone to flukes and may be the case. Treatment can be applied to tank although I recommend separate tank or container. Dose at 85% of recommended dosage with air stone added.
Apply dosage and allow to work for 8 days, do a water change and apply one more dosage application lasting 8 days

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

The frequent scratching is a symptom of flukes, less so of ich. As mentioned, this species commonly develops flukes if not treated during quarantine.

You can dose your display with praziquantel to try and control flukes. Here is my post about that:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/dosing-praziquantel-pzq.1105700/

 

[birdyflysohi]

Hi I was in your situation too with a flashing royal gramma in a 3 month old 20g reef tank. I decided to let it be for a while and the fish seemed to get better and I decided to let it be as I read quite a lot of forum posts saying that they FW dipped their fish and nothing came out.

However one day while observing the RG I could’ve sworn that I saw a worm coming out of its gills so I immediately pulled all live rock out of the tank (only had 3 pieces haha) and FW dipped it. Imagine my surprise when I saw these 2 fat buggers coming off. First time ever DW dipping a fish lol

Afterwards dosed prazipro for 2 weeks. So what I’m trying to say is FW dipping is a good way to diagnose your fish has flukes or not. As a side note when I dosed prazipro I also noticed 2 flukes coming off my firefish. So all in all dosing prazipro was a win for me. :D

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Hi I was in your situation too with a flashing royal gramma in a 3 month old 20g reef tank. I decided to let it be for a while and the fish seemed to get better and I decided to let it be as I read quite a lot of forum posts saying that they FW dipped their fish and nothing came out.

However one day while observing the RG I could’ve sworn that I saw a worm coming out of its gills so I immediately pulled all live rock out of the tank (only had 3 pieces haha) and FW dipped it. Imagine my surprise when I saw these 2 fat buggers coming off. First time ever DW dipping a fish lol

Afterwards dosed prazipro for 2 weeks. So what I’m trying to say is FW dipping is a good way to diagnose your fish has flukes or not. As a side note when I dosed prazipro I also noticed 2 flukes coming off my firefish. So all in all dosing prazipro was a win for me. :D

Yes - those are Neobenedenia flukes. Of the three types of flukes that infect marine aquarium fish, they are the only one large enough to see in dip water without using a microscope.

 

[W31Olds]

My gramma hides in holes in the rockwork. Small ones to boot. Maybe you could get a large net or a bucket and pull out the entire rock with the gramma in it. I doubt he would enter a fish trap. They are very wary but fierce. Mine was attacking my gloved hand yesterday while cleaning. All my large fish cower.