Another clown with a problem.

[Plauri55]

I've had this juvenile clown for about 6 weeks in a 13 gal nano reef setup. One other clown which is fine and a Rainford Goby. A Zoa, a Xenia and a leather coral.
About 4 weeks ago the clown developed white nodules and was "diagnosed" with lymphocytosis. Been eating normally, does strange things like most clowns. A couple of the nodules disappeared but new ones showed up. A large one developed on the belly and now since yesterday it has a large clear balloon like structure there.

The first pic isn't the greatest,sorry! That is now. Second pic is from 3 weeks ago.

Any ideas?
I'm worried that when that bubble pops she's a goner.

 

[ebushrow]

#humblefish
#4fordfamily
#melypr1985
#reefsquad

 

[Plauri55]

Helpful?

 

[ebushrow]

I

Helpful?

tagged the best of the best(at least some of them) .... I don't want to steer you down the wrong road without the experts ideas.

 

[domination2580]

Looks like swim bladder

 

[domination2580]

I would gently rib the stomach if that doesn't help I'd feed some mashed up peas with the food...but remember to take the skin off of the peas

 

[Plauri55]

Please explain

 

[ebushrow]

I would gently rib the stomach if that doesn't help I'd feed some mashed up peas with the food...but remember to take the skin off of the peas

The swim bladder should be inside the fish....they are usually white....should never be outside if that is what it is.

 

[Plauri55]

And the peas?

 

[ebushrow]

And the peas?

The peas are like fiber for fish....makes them poop....not sure that the swim bladder is what we are seeing...

 

[Maritimer]

Lymphocystis is a viral infection - kind of like a cold sore, it should go away on its own under ideal conditions, but can't be "cured".

Kind of hard to tell from the photo, but it sounds as though you're describing a clear subcutaneous (under the skin) bubble, like a blister? That wouldn't likely be anything to do with the swim bladder, but _might_ be bacterial - and would certainly open up a pathway for a bacterial infection to sneak in there. Might not be a bad idea to have some antibiotics handy, just in case.

I can't imagine that the bubble has anything to do with the lymphocystis, but there are a lot of things out there that I could never have imagined.

Hopefully, when @melypr1985, @Humblefish and @4FordFamily pop in here, they'll be more familiar with what we're looking at than I am . . .

~Bruce

 

[Plauri55]

I understand about lymphocytosis. There was a fairly large white nodule there and what I think happened is that the nodule "ate thru" the musculature and left this blister like thing. It's had other nodules that have come and gone.

 

[Humblefish]

The fish's belly looks extended in your first photo. Is this an accurate observation?

 

[Plauri55]

Yes, maybe a bit anterior to the belly. It's a clear balloon like structure. But previously there was a white nodule there. In fact, you can look through the "balloon" and see what seems to be the original nodule. Or maybe it's muscle wall. Clear area extends all the way under and a bit on to other side

 

[Plauri55]

Here's another picture.

 

[Humblefish]

And this "ballon" is on the outside of the skin, correct? Like a gas bubble?

 

[Plauri55]

I think so but really don't see skin under it. When you look thru it you see pinkish tan color. Not scale colors

 

[Humblefish]

Read this: http://www.ultimatereef.com/articles/bubble/

Although I'm wondering if the pinkish tan color means it is now infected.

 

[Plauri55]

Honestly don't see gas bubble disease t as a possibility.

 

[melypr1985]

Here's what I'm thinking, and @Humblefish I'd love your input and thoughts on this.

I would put her in QT with antibiotics. The triple threat Kanaplex, furan 2 and metroplex. Add in Epsom salt which is perfectly safe and won't hurt to do, even though it may not help. It may be good to put her in an acclimation box, upside down on the bottom of the tank to keep her lowest in the water. A rock may be needed to hold the container down.

I'm also wondering if lymph is growing inside the body and contributing to this bubble deal.