White patchy discoloration on clownfish after 5 days

[CursiveTexas]

Last week, I posted a thread asking for help with a splotchy white discoloration on one of my clowns. Here’s the link to the thread: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/s...n-clownfish-otherwise-acting-normally.936085/

The prevailing opinion seemed to be that it was brook. I didn’t have time to set up a QT tank last week, so instead I began feeding all my fish reef frenzy medicated with metroplex. However, it’s been almost a week since the discoloration appeared and I’m starting to think that it isn’t brook. For one, the affected clown has been acting normally since I noticed the discoloration and has been eating well and breathing normally. Additionally, none of the other fish in the tank, including the other clown, have developed discoloration, and they are also acting completely fine. From what I know about brook, it’s a fast killer, so this isn’t what I’d expect to see.

Does anyone have any idea what this might be? The patches don’t really look like ich, and almost have a pale translucent quality. Perhaps some sort of external parasite? I’ll post some more pictures from today below, but it’s appearance hasn’t really changed since last week, so you can also check out my previous thread for more pictures.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Last week, I posted a thread asking for help with a splotchy white discoloration on one of my clowns. Here’s the link to the thread: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/s...n-clownfish-otherwise-acting-normally.936085/

The prevailing opinion seemed to be that it was brook. I didn’t have time to set up a QT tank last week, so instead I began feeding all my fish reef frenzy medicated with metroplex. However, it’s been almost a week since the discoloration appeared and I’m starting to think that it isn’t brook. For one, the affected clown has been acting normally since I noticed the discoloration and has been eating well and breathing normally. Additionally, none of the other fish in the tank, including the other clown, have developed discoloration, and they are also acting completely fine. From what I know about brook, it’s a fast killer, so this isn’t what I’d expect to see.

Does anyone have any idea what this might be? The patches don’t really look like ich, and almost have a pale translucent quality. Perhaps some sort of external parasite? I’ll post some more pictures from today below, but it’s appearance hasn’t really changed since last week, so you can also check out my previous thread for more pictures.

This clown has brooklynella. The most significant sign is the amount of slime on its body. The thick mucus on its body is a second sign which is noticeable on the fish. This mucus generally starts at the facial area as well as gills and spreads across the body producing lesions as it progresses often confused with ich and can turn into secondary bacteria. Other symptoms will be lethargic behavior, refusing to eat and heavy breathing from the mucus.
Typical treatment is a formalin solution is mixed with in a separate container with either fresh or saltwater. Start with a quick dip in the formalin at a higher concentration then performing treatment in a prolonged bath of formalin base at a lower concentration in a quarantine tank. The longer the fish are exposed to the formalin treatment the more effective it will be at eliminating this issue.
If a formalin solution is not available for immediate use, temporary relief can be achieved by giving the fish a FW bath or dip in water same temperature as display tank. Even though this treatment will not cure the disease, it can help to remove some of the parasites, as well as reduce the amount of mucus in the gills to assist with respiration problems.
Treatment is best done in a QT tank using either quick cure (more effective) or Ruby Rally Pro. Ruby takes a little longer and initial treatment generally takes 2-3 days to really start going to work.

 

[Rick's Reviews]

Have you noticed any difference in pooh/ waste, maybe internal?

 

[MnFish1]

Last week, I posted a thread asking for help with a splotchy white discoloration on one of my clowns. Here’s the link to the thread: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/s...n-clownfish-otherwise-acting-normally.936085/

The prevailing opinion seemed to be that it was brook. I didn’t have time to set up a QT tank last week, so instead I began feeding all my fish reef frenzy medicated with metroplex. However, it’s been almost a week since the discoloration appeared and I’m starting to think that it isn’t brook. For one, the affected clown has been acting normally since I noticed the discoloration and has been eating well and breathing normally. Additionally, none of the other fish in the tank, including the other clown, have developed discoloration, and they are also acting completely fine. From what I know about brook, it’s a fast killer, so this isn’t what I’d expect to see.

Does anyone have any idea what this might be? The patches don’t really look like ich, and almost have a pale translucent quality. Perhaps some sort of external parasite? I’ll post some more pictures from today below, but it’s appearance hasn’t really changed since last week, so you can also check out my previous thread for more pictures.

@Jay Hemdal the problem is that every time someone sees a clown with a mucus over-production - it's 'brook' IMHO. My guess is that brook is not the only parasite/disease/condition - that causes this. And - second - I would agree - if it disappeared - there are 2 choices - 1. The fish is immune/became immune to brook or 2. It was not brook. 3, I think every disease - has various symptoms, etc - depending on the immunity of the involved fish - i.e. Brook can be partially improved by immunity - by the individual fish. Maybe @Jay Hemdal has a comment?

Glad it seems better!!!!

 

[CursiveTexas]

Have you noticed any difference in pooh/ waste, maybe internal?

No I have not. Granted I haven’t really been looking for that so I’ll keep an eye out.

 

[Jay Hemdal]

I still see some distinct spots that I saw in the first thread - that isn’t seen with Brooklynella. I’m still on the fence here, and fish can have multiple infections at the same time.
This is a good example where pictures simply do not give a good diagnosis. If I had the fish, I’d give it a skin scrape and look at it under a microscope and know right away what’s going on. I understand most folks can’t do that. The next option is to treat selectively - just to see what works. Trouble with that is my first option would be a formalin dip, and that is tough for people to source. Second option would be a 5 minute freshwater dip to see if that offers any relief…..
Jay

 

[CursiveTexas]

I still see some distinct spots that I saw in the first thread - that isn’t seen with Brooklynella. I’m still on the fence here, and fish can have multiple infections at the same time.
This is a good example where pictures simply do not give a good diagnosis. If I had the fish, I’d give it a skin scrape and look at it under a microscope and know right away what’s going on. I understand most folks can’t do that. The next option is to treat selectively - just to see what works. Trouble with that is my first option would be a formalin dip, and that is tough for people to source. Second option would be a 5 minute freshwater dip to see if that offers any relief…..
Jay

Thanks! I don’t have formalin but I’ll try a freshwater dip once he goes to sleep tonight so I can catch him. Another thing I just noticed is that it’s seems like the spots and patches are mostly concentrated on one side of the fish’s body. Not sure if that’s indicative of anything, but I thought it might be worth mentioning.

 

[Jay Hemdal]

Thanks! I don’t have formalin but I’ll try a freshwater dip once he goes to sleep tonight so I can catch him. Another thing I just noticed is that it’s seems like the spots and patches are mostly concentrated on one side of the fish’s body. Not sure if that’s indicative of anything, but I thought it might be worth mentioning.

Generally, protozoan infections like ich, velvet or Brook tend to be randomly distributed on the fish, so a greater incidence on one side over the other is odd…..
Jay

 

[Dreminon]

you can order rapid fish quarantine from online know BRS sells it. (if your in US anyways) It is a two part dip one is formalin and the other is methylene blue.