Royal Gramma Laceration or Bigger Issue??

[lordofthecoconuts]

Hey everyone, like the title says I’m concerned about my royal gramma. Only had him for about a week and yesterday I noticed he has a laceration on the side and today hems reluctant to eat and is repeatedly flashing on the sand. Should I be worried about something more serious than a scrape from the rock work?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hey everyone, like the title says I’m concerned about my royal gramma. Only had him for about a week and yesterday I noticed he has a laceration on the side and today hems reluctant to eat and is repeatedly flashing on the sand. Should I be worried about something more serious than a scrape from the rock work?

As they dive into rocks and crevices, may be injury
Please furnish a couple of pictures to see extent of damage and recommend treatment if needed

 

[lordofthecoconuts]

As they dive into rocks and crevices, may be injury
Please furnish a couple of pictures to see extent of damage and recommend treatment if needed

That's what I was thinking too, but the loss of appetite has me concerned. Just updated the OG post with some pics!

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hey everyone, like the title says I’m concerned about my royal gramma. Only had him for about a week and yesterday I noticed he has a laceration on the side and today hems reluctant to eat and is repeatedly flashing on the sand. Should I be worried about something more serious than a scrape from the rock work?

This is superficial and should be treated but could be scratched due to flukes in which Prazipro would be the ideal treatment

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Hey everyone, like the title says I’m concerned about my royal gramma. Only had him for about a week and yesterday I noticed he has a laceration on the side and today hems reluctant to eat and is repeatedly flashing on the sand. Should I be worried about something more serious than a scrape from the rock work?

Flashing combined with skin damage are huge red flags for flukes, especially since royal gramma are so prone to getting them.

I’d dose the tank with praziquantel:

Thread 'Dosing Praziquantel (PZQ)'

Apr 7, 2025

Using Praziquantel (PZQ) to treat flukes

Overview
In the early 1990’s, a researcher at the New York Aquarium published a paper on using Praziquantel (PZQ) to help control flukes, a parasitic flatworm. Also known as monogenean trematodes, these fish parasites can cause significant mortality in aquarium fish. It is also used orally to treat tapeworms. It has limited to no effect on other parasites. The mechanism of Praziquantel’s action seems to be that it causes the flukes to temporarily relax, allowing them to be dislodged from the fish. Once that happens, the adult fluke is...

• Jay Hemdal
• Replies: 97
• Forum: Fish Disease Treatment and Diagnosis

• 

 

[winxp_man]

is the fish tending to hide more? The no eating along side the damage, and flashing in the sand, and if hiding is part of it, it’s possible to be flukes as both gentlemen have stated.

Flow the protocol above. And you have any other fish/ tank mates?

 

[lordofthecoconuts]

Hey everyone, like the title says I’m concerned about my royal gramma. Only had him for about a week and yesterday I noticed he has a laceration on the side and today hems reluctant to eat and is repeatedly flashing on the sand. Should I be worried about something more serious than a scrape from the rock work?

Flashing combined with skin damage are huge red flags for flukes, especially since royal gramma are so prone to getting them.

I’d dose the tank with praziquantel:

Thread 'Dosing Praziquantel (PZQ)'

Apr 7, 2025

Using Praziquantel (PZQ) to treat flukes

Overview
In the early 1990’s, a researcher at the New York Aquarium published a paper on using Praziquantel (PZQ) to help control flukes, a parasitic flatworm. Also known as monogenean trematodes, these fish parasites can cause significant mortality in aquarium fish. It is also used orally to treat tapeworms. It has limited to no effect on other parasites. The mechanism of Praziquantel’s action seems to be that it causes the flukes to temporarily relax, allowing them to be dislodged from the fish. Once that happens, the adult fluke is...

• Jay Hemdal
• Replies: 97
• Forum: Fish Disease Treatment and Diagnosis

• 

Ah ok thank you! I was hoping it was just abrasion :\

 

[lordofthecoconuts]

is the fish tending to hide more? The no eating along side the damage, and flashing in the sand, and if hiding is part of it, it’s possible to be flukes as both gentlemen have stated.

Flow the protocol above. And you have any other fish/ tank mates?

Yup, definitely hiding a lot more. And yes, I have a six line, a blue chromis and a coral banded shrimp