Royal gramma infection?

Ninjacorgi13 · Nov 6, 2020

Hi guys,

would someone be able to help me with a disease ID on this fish? Got her on the 25th and was a bit bullied by a damselfish so I thought she just got bit at first, but now I’m thinking that’s not the case.

Thanks!
Nick

Jay Hemdal · Nov 6, 2020

Yeah, that seems a bit too widespread to be damage from another fish, and I would have expected fin damage from the damsel. Has that aggression settled down though?

Is the gramma still eating? Does it seem to be breathing fast? Do you have a treatment tank you could use?

Jay

Ninjacorgi13 · Nov 6, 2020

Jay Hemdal said:
Yeah, that seems a bit too widespread to be damage from another fish, and I would have expected fin damage from the damsel. Has that aggression settled down though?

Is the gramma still eating? Does it seem to be breathing fast? Do you have a treatment tank you could use?

Jay

seems to be doing fine, eating and swimming around without much issue. I did see a Little Rock scratching yesterday but not today. Aggression between everyone has toned down, except for my clownfish, but that seems to be towards me only...

looking closer at those spots, they resemble a blister almost and I think I see a parasite of some sort moving around in them? About the shape and size of a sesame seed. Can I do a freshwater dip to try and coax it out? Just afraid it’ll cause some damage on the way out if I do so.

Ninjacorgi13 · Nov 6, 2020

Adding clearer pictures

Jay Hemdal · Nov 7, 2020

Yes! If you think you can catch the gramma without beating it up too much a 5 minute diagnostic dip will help to see if it’s flukes or a copepod. Use dechlorinated tap water, with aeration (to help knock the parasites off) in a dark, covered container for 5 minutes. Avoid getting any tank crud in the net when you catch it. Look at the bottom of the dip container afterwards...a microscope is best, but a magnifying glass works. Let me know what you find.
Jay

Ninjacorgi13 · Nov 7, 2020

Jay Hemdal said:
Yes! If you think you can catch the gramma without beating it up too much a 5 minute diagnostic dip will help to see if it’s flukes or a copepod. Use dechlorinated tap water, with aeration (to help knock the parasites off) in a dark, covered container for 5 minutes. Avoid getting any tank crud in the net when you catch it. Look at the bottom of the dip container afterwards...a microscope is best, but a magnifying glass works. Let me know what you find.
Jay

Great, is RO/DI water ok to use as well? I assume so.

Will report back once I catch the girl, I actually do have microscope access too so I’ll see what’s in there. Thanks!