HELP! - Clown with fungus? Need advice

rockhoundmaiden · #1 12/12/2004, 12:50 PM

Can someone help me to identify this? My clown showed signs of rapid breathing but ONLY had 1 small red mark on his face on Friday. I quickly removed him and placed him in a small tank. I tried treating with Melafix because I thought it was just a nip mark (perhaps from the Trigger - although he never nipped at my fish before)? Just a thought....

Anyway, he now has a white fungus-type around the red mark and he is worse.

I tried to get a pic this is my first attempt at uploading a pic - I hope it works.

Here goes

rockhoundmaiden · #2 12/12/2004, 12:53 PM

Here are two more pics -

Please let me know what the best medicine for him would be?

SAT · #3 12/12/2004, 05:05 PM

I suggest switching to a real antibiotic, such as Maracyn-Two or nitrofurazone (Furacyn). The white is most likely not true fungus, BTW, since that type of infection is rare to non-existant in saltwater. I'm assuming it's a bacterial infection, but if you could provide a closer/clearer picture that might modify my diagnosis.

Heavy breathing might also indicate a protozoan parasite such as Brooklynella, which would be in addition to the infected spot you can see. How long have you had this fish? Are any other fish showing symptoms of heavy breathing?

scooter86 · #4 12/12/2004, 08:24 PM

It would be a great idea to get a culturette from your local vet, skin scrape the fish in the affected area, and ask your vet to send the culture to his/her lab for identification. If the fish should die, you can send this lesion out for biopsy.

rockhoundmaiden · #5 12/13/2004, 12:40 PM

SAT - I guess he isn't relly breathing heavily - he just seems to be struggling because his mouth his constantly open.

Here are a couple more pics - this are the best I can get with my camera.

I have Cupramine and both Maracyn products. Please let me know which would help him - I really don't wont him to die.

Emerald · #6 12/13/2004, 12:49 PM

I would start treatment with Maracyn 2 because it targets a larger range of bacterias. I would hold off on the cupramine, unless you are seeing other symptoms.

rockhoundmaiden · #7 12/13/2004, 02:27 PM

What do you think it may be?

Emerald · #8 12/13/2004, 03:16 PM

I agree with Stuart, in that it is probably a bacterial infection. I also dislike Melafix and would suggest that you discontinue its use. You could add some methylene blue at 1 tsp/10g of water, great for a number of things.

How long have you had the fish? What are all of your water pars as of todays testing? Are any other fish having trouble? Any fish picking on this clown?

rockhoundmaiden · #9 12/13/2004, 11:33 PM

Temp 80
Salinity 1.024
Nitrate <10 ppm
Nitrite 0
Ammo 0

I have never seen any other fish pick on him
Thanks for the reply

rockhoundmaiden · #10 12/13/2004, 11:34 PM

Oh - I forgot, I have had the fish for about 2 months

Emerald · #11 12/14/2004, 01:18 AM

Ok with all of that info, I would still follow treatment as listed above. Methylene blue and a broad spectrum antibiotic, in a QT. If it does not appear to be getting better after a few days of treatment let me know.
Is he still eating and behaving normally?

scooter86 · #12 12/14/2004, 10:36 AM

I agree with Emerald. Try a broad spectrum antibiotic. I have had good results with oxytetracycline. I have cultured lesions that appear as this one, and the bacteria involved have been sensitive to this antibiotic. This is only an educated guess without lab testing, but it is worth a try.

rockhoundmaiden · #13 12/14/2004, 10:39 AM

Is Maracyn 2 a broad spectrum antibiotic? Because that is what I have been using for 2 days now.

Also, where do you get Methylene Blue?

Emerald · #14 12/14/2004, 10:53 AM

Yes, the Maracyn 2 is a broad spectrum and should be fine.

You should be able to find Methylene blue at your LFS.

Has he shown any improvement? Eating and behaving ok?

scooter86 · #15 12/14/2004, 04:07 PM

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scooter86 · #16 12/14/2004, 04:08 PM

M

rockhoundmaiden · #17 12/14/2004, 07:31 PM

He is not eating too good today. I tried feeding him his favorite treat - live brine and he just looked at it.

The white spots seem 10% better today.

Thanks for asking

rockhoundmaiden · #18 12/15/2004, 11:06 AM

Well, the clown isn't really responding to the treatment. He doesn't have any interest in eating anymore.

Boy! Does any fish ever make it after they get sick?

I never hear of too many success stories by reading these posts.

Most fish seem doomed, once they ge sick.

Any advice?