Cinnamon Clown EMERGENCY...HELP

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lunchie

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 27, 2005
Messages
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Location
Georgia
I have had this clown for 4 days and all was fine...then tonight I noticed that he was not using his one fin and that it had huge white bumps on it...Please see pictures...Tell me what to do...I don't want to lose him and I hope someone can tell me how to treat whatever this is...

Thanks
 
Hard to be sure by the pic but it looks like a nasty bacterial problem. Could be the result of injury from netting at the LFS. Don't think simple remedies are going to work if your seeing bloody red patchs around the "fungus like" area. Doesn't look like Lympho either.

How are your water parameters? NH3, NO2 & NO3? Are you seeing aggression from any tank mates?

If you don't have a QT tank, I would get one set up immediately, don't worry about cycling it. I would also suggest you begin a series of large water changes with well aged/aerated SW to reduce the DOC that will be fueling the bacterial problem if the QT is a few days off. Once the QT is up, corral the clown (without a net if possible) and transfer to the QT. You can use the water from the main tank in the QT startup to avoid a long acclimation time. Once there, treat with Maracyn II at double the dosage daily for 7 full days. If the Maracyn is unavailable, look for a SW antibiotic that treats gram negative bacteria specifically or post back with what is available if you're unsure.

You can also soak foods in the med (after predissolving in a glass) to speed things up. Just a few tablespoons would be needed and it can be done before each dose. Soak for about ½ an hour and feed sparingly. Be sure to siphon out any detritus from the fish and uneaten foods shortly after feeding to help maintain the water quality. You should also have enough SW made up at all times for water changes, the med will destroy the good bacteria as well and water quality will be an issue.

Cheers
Steve
 
All of my parameters are all in excellent ranges...as for aggression I have not noticed any but that doesn't mean it isn't happening. I don't notice any bloody red patches but I do see where the white bumps are like flaky meaning it is like they are peeling off not sure how to described it. But he doesn't move that fin at all...it is so weird because this morning he was fine. I don't have QT and it is too late to get anything tonight since all the store are closed so I will try tomorrow. Can this infect my other fish???? Thanks for the quick reply.

Deb
 
More info....

are there anything else in the tank? corals, fish, etc.

do you know if this is wild caught or TR?

- Elmo
 
lunchie said:
I don't notice any bloody red patches but I do see where the white bumps are like flaky meaning it is like they are peeling off not sure how to described it. But he doesn't move that fin at all...it is so weird because this morning he was fine.
I would approach it as bacterial and treat it. Be especially careful how you capture the clown for transfer to the QT. Netting will most likely increase the damage.

I don't have QT and it is too late to get anything tonight since all the store are closed so I will try tomorrow.
You don't need anything fancy. A simple 10 gallon (perferabley 20 for any future additions), a heater, small powerfilter or corner sponge filter, short PVC pieces/elbows for hiding and possible a low GPH powerhead for surface aggitation. A light won't be necessary and ambient light should be plenty. Unlit will allow the clown to acclimate better with less stress. Just be sure you have something permiable to cover the QT incase of jumping.

Can this infect my other fish????
If bacterial (which I'm pretty sure it is) the other fish should be able to resist it easily enough if otherwise healthy and uninjured. It would still be a good idea to do a few large water changes with well aged/aerated SW to be on the safe side. What do you regularly feed and do you use any vitamin additives?

Ammonia, nitrite and nitrate all read zero/undetectable?

Cheers
Steve
 
Thanks guys...He didn't make it through the night. I will start doing water changes and hopefully my other fish will make it. Thanks again
 
Sorry to hear about the clown. I'm glad you will continue with the water changes. Just be sure the newly prepared SW mixes for a day with a powerhead to ensure the chemistry has stabalized. It's always best to be on the safe side. ;)

Cheers
Steve
 
Steve,
That is the first time I have heard that I should mix the SW before I do a water change. I do use a RO/DI device, so is it still important to have it mix before doing your water change?
Thanks
Deb
 
It is a very good practice to get into. Always allow the RO/DI and newly added salt to mix with a powerhead for a good 24 hrs before you use it. Salts will not properly dissovle nor the chemistry stabalize unless given a decent amount of time to mix. If used too soon, it can damage fish gills and stress corals. In this regard, the water source is not relavent. As always, test salinity and temp before use to match as closely to the main.

http://marineaquariumadvice.com/optimal_health.html

Cheers
Steve
 

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