Marine Help

[mollymandarin]

I posted this in the marine and reef section, but someone mentioned trying here even though its mainly tropical emergencies.


I have had a coral beauty in my tank for 10 days now, when I first got it, there was a small white patch on the arch of his back where the fins are, I thought this was due to a scrap he had with a damsel when first added to the tank.This seems to have gotten bigger over the 10 days and today I can actually see 2/3 small white bones with no fin/skin on them. There doesn't seem to be a problem with the beauty as he is acting the same as he has done since adding him to the tank. He is not breathing heavy, still swimming actively and grazing on rocks.
I have checked my water params.
Nitrite = 0
Ammonia = 0
Nitrate = 10ppm
PH = 8.2
Salinity = 1.021

I know the nitrate could come down, but I believe this is still a safe level for fish.

Does anyone know what this problem might be please?
I done a search for fin rot and not sure if this is the case.

Thanks in advance

 

[WILDER]

Does the white patch look fluffy or just bleached out beneath the skin.
There saddle back columnaris which goes a long the back of the fish and down the sides to form a saddle shape.
Any redness to the patch.
Any signs of flicking and rubbing.
Any excess mucas on the fish body or gills.

 

[mollymandarin]

Does the white patch look fluffy or just bleached out beneath the skin.
There saddle back columnaris which goes a long the back of the fish and down the sides to form a saddle shape.
Any redness to the patch.
Any signs of flicking and rubbing.
Any excess mucas on the fish body or gills.

There isnt exactly a white patch, just the skin has disappeared showing the bones.
I dont see any redness and he isn't flicking or rubbing.
I tried to take a pic but it isn't too good (I haven't got the knack of getting fish to pose as yet lol

 

[WILDER]

If he''s not flicking and rubbing dosn't sound like there a parasite involved.
Has he rub and caught it on anything in the tank.
The only other thing I could think of its a flesh eating bacteria, has the patch got bigger.
I would issolate him if you can.

 

[mollymandarin]

If he''s not flicking and rubbing dosn't sound like there a parasite involved.
Has he rub and caught it on anything in the tank.
The only other thing I could think of its a flesh eating bacteria, has the patch got bigger.
I would issolate him if you can.

I remember him getting chased by a territorial damsel when we first added him, then we saw the tiny white mark on the back, this was obviously bone, over the 10 days more skin has gone showing more bone and seems to be getting worse..maybe there is a parasite somewhere because he seems to like the cleaner shrimp jumping on him.

I can't isolate as this is my only marine tank, but there has just been a tank offered on my local freecycle site so hopefully I might have been quick enough to reply.

Thanks for your help

 

[WILDER]

He needs treating with a bacterial med.
If him or no other fish are flicking and rubbing, and no excess mucas it dosn't sound like a parasite.

 

[mollymandarin]

He needs treating with a bacterial med.
If him or no other fish are flicking and rubbing, and no excess mucas it dosn't sound like a parasite.

Can I treat it in the same tank as other fish?

Also in the tank is 3 chromis, 2 common clownfish and a green mandarin, then the cuc of 2 shrimp, 2 anemone crabs, 2 large hemits and a few small hermits...oh and a feather duster worm...no corals as yet.

 

[WILDER]

I'm no good on marine invertbrates I would ask in the marine section if its ok to add bacterial med to the tank.
He really needs treating in a hospital tank with antibiotics if i'm honest, as bacteria eating away the flesh.

Uk antibiotics are only available through a vet.

 

[mollymandarin]

I'm no good on marine invertbrates I would ask in the marine section if its ok to add bacterial med to the tank.
He really needs treating in a hospital tank with antibiotics if i'm honest, as bacteria eating away the flesh.

Uk antibiotics are only available through a vet.

OK will do and thanks again for your help

 

[WILDER]

I would get some anti internal bacteria med by interpet.
And maybe some melafix to stop the wound getting infected.

 

[Spishkey]

just to let you know melafix do a new marine version of melafix now

scroll down this page a bit dont know if its available in uk though?

http/www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod...fm?pcatid=11269

 

[mollymandarin]

just to let you know melafix do a new marine version of melafix now

scroll down this page a bit dont know if its available in uk though?

[URL="http/www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod...fm?pcatid=11269"]http/www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod...fm?pcatid=11269[/URL]

Great, thanks, I will look for the marine version, I think I have seen it here in the UK

Cheers

 

[WILDER]

Make sure you can use theses meds with inverts.
Hows the fish doing.
Always best to have a little hosptial tank they come in very handy.

 

[mollymandarin]

Make sure you can use theses meds with inverts.
Hows the fish doing.
Always best to have a little hosptial tank they come in very handy.

Sorry for the late reply, had such a hectic weekend.

I was advised by the LFS to use the Melafix, this is not the marine version but is suitable for fresh and saltwater aquariums, the also said it is suitable to use in the tank with all other fish and inverts because it is made with all natural ingredients and no chemicals..I hope they are right because they have had 2 doses so far from a 7 day treatment. Its quite a strong smelling liquid and the clowns don't seem to like it.

The coral beauty is still doing fine and the fin patch doesn't seem to have gotten any worse, in fact I think the skin is starting to come back.

I have just got a second hand tank over the weekend, however I need new filter media to go inside and I will have to go through a cycle before I can use it, so I am hoping the Melafix works.

Thanks for all your help, I will keep you posted on the tank and inhabitants

 

[WILDER]

Good luck.