This fish came in about a week ago, with what looked like a small blemish. It's grown a bit since then. I have been waiting and watching, feeding with blackworms and selcon soaked frozen, but it is time to act. The fish behaves healthily, and I am reluctant to dose antibiotics before I have a better guess than mine as to what this might be. At first, I thought it was a small injury. Since it has grown, I then thought it might be a parasite. So what is it?
Another "large bump" thread
- Thread starter foxt
- Start date
- Tagged users None
redfishbluefish
Stay Positive, Stay Productive
Staff member
Super Moderator
Reef Squad
Partner Member 2024
Excellence Award
Article Contributor
NJRC Member
Hospitality Award
Those last two pics look like vibrio or hemorrhagic septicemia starting up.
Treat immediately with one of the following:
Treat immediately with one of the following:
- Nitrofuracin Green Powder
- Furan-2, Kanaplex + Metroplex combo
Performing an acriflavine bath would probably also be useful: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/acriflavine.282887/
4FordFamily
Tang, Angel, and Wrasse Nerd!
X2 on the second part, you definitely need antibiotics. I trust Humble on this. My two cents is that no matter what infection it is, you need antibiotics and you need them yesterday!
Good luck!
Ok guys, thanks for the advice. I have the Furan-2, Kanaplex, and Metro on hand, so that's the option I'm going with. I don't have any acriflavine on hand, but can get Ruby Reef Rally in two days from Amazon . Since I am starting the meds today, should I still give the fish an acriflavine bath on Friday?
melypr1985
totally addicted
I would. It will take the antibiotics longer than two days to do their job, so the bath should help buy the fish a bit more time for them to work.
4FordFamily
Tang, Angel, and Wrasse Nerd!
Good luck!
Did the acriflavine bath today. While I had the bellus in a smaller container, I got a good look at the area affected. Doesn't look like there has been any change, one way or the other so far. Still adjusting to it's new QT, but it is still eating, so fingers crossed.
Given the relative large size of whatever this is, I want to be as aggressive as I can be. The metro+kanaplex+furan-2 is going to take time to have an effect. Is the acriflavine bath something I should repeat at some point?
You can repeat the acriflavine bath every 24-48 hrs. Just be sure temp, SG, even pH match to minimize stress going back & forth between QT and the bath. Aerate the bath water heavily.
Am on day 6 of the furan/kanaplex/metroplex treatment. I also gave the fish another acriflavine bath two days ago.
I'm not noticing any change, which I supposed is good news? I know that the meds take time, and I should keep going for 10 days. Thinking ahead a bit - do I stop the meds after 10 days and then wait and see what happens? How long can I safely treat with this mix of meds?
This wound, or whatever it is, seems like it is large enough that it will take a while to resolve. Aside from continuing to nurture it's immune system with selcon, blackworms, what other steps can I take after I have to stop the meds?
I'm not noticing any change, which I supposed is good news? I know that the meds take time, and I should keep going for 10 days. Thinking ahead a bit - do I stop the meds after 10 days and then wait and see what happens? How long can I safely treat with this mix of meds?
This wound, or whatever it is, seems like it is large enough that it will take a while to resolve. Aside from continuing to nurture it's immune system with selcon, blackworms, what other steps can I take after I have to stop the meds?
Unless the fish looks 100% clear, keep going for up to 14 days. If there has been no improvement by then we will need to consider a different strategy or different antibiotics to use.
Don't just limit yourself to using Selcon. There are a whole range of vitamin supplements & probiotics (including DIY options) discussed here: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/vitamins-herbal-remedies.304287/
Also, it is very important to maintain excellent water quality (i.e. keep the water clean) when a fish is recovering from infection.
You can also try a MB bath in lieu of one of your scheduled acriflavine baths: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/methylene-blue.257467/
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/vitamins-herbal-remedies.304287/
Thanks for that.
I've been doing the 25% water changes after each two-days of kanaplex, making sure to syphon whatever crap is lying on the bottom. That, along with topping off, keeping an airstone running, and watching for ammonia should do it, right?
If I go that route, should I just switch from furan-2 to Nitrofuracin Green Powder? And if so, can I just dose that in place of furan-2, combined with the kanaplez/metro? Or best to stick with furan-2 for now, and do the MB bath?
Yes
If you have NFG, I would switch over to using that now (following a large WC/running carbon for 24 hrs). Don't combine any other antibiotics with NFG, as it already contains 2 antibiotics (nitro + sulfa) + MB.
