Bacterial infection on wrasse???

[Steven9194]

Would love some help determining what this is on my wrasse and how to treat it. He’s in QT with others and noticed it once I got him into the tank last night.

I’m thinking it’s a bacterial infection, but don’t have much experience.

Raised bump, along with the white, which can be seen in the image.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Would love some help determining what this is on my wrasse and how to treat it. He’s in QT with others and noticed it once I got him into the tank last night.

I’m thinking it’s a bacterial infection, but don’t have much experience.

Raised bump, along with the white, which can be seen in the image.

Looks like a gash or injury and appears to be starting to heal. To assure it does not get infected, if fish is not being medicated, you can add seachem Kanaplex for protection. If so, what med are you using?
Any rocks or pipes in the tank?

 

[Steven9194]

Looks like a gash or injury and appears to be starting to heal. To assure it does not get infected, if fish is not being medicated, you can add seachem Kanaplex for protection. If so, what med are you using?
Any rocks or pipes in the tank?

I have a few pieces of PVC in the tank and a bioblock. No medication yet, but I will treat with Kanaplex.

Is it ok to treat the entire QT with that or should I isolate the wrasse?

 

[vetteguy53081]

I have a few pieces of PVC in the tank and a bioblock. No medication yet, but I will treat with Kanaplex.

Is it ok to treat the entire QT with that or should I isolate the wrasse?

You can treat the tank as long as no copper in tank. While they can be mixed, i dont favor mixing anything with copper

 

[dank.reefer]

That just looks like some sort of abbrasion he should be fine. He needs a sand box though. He needs somewere to retreat to sleep or if scared or threatened. You can just use a tupperware dish with some clean sand in it while in QT. This will help to relieve the stress of QT and help him heal faster.

 

[Steven9194]

That just looks like some sort of abbrasion he should be fine. He needs a sand box though. He needs somewere to retreat to sleep or if scared or threatened. You can just use a tupperware dish with some clean sand in it while in QT. This will help to relieve the stress of QT and help him heal faster.

Added a little sand bed for him. Thanks for the tip.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Would love some help determining what this is on my wrasse and how to treat it. He’s in QT with others and noticed it once I got him into the tank last night.

I’m thinking it’s a bacterial infection, but don’t have much experience.

Raised bump, along with the white, which can be seen in the image.

One other possibility is that this is the protozoan Uronema. That is a common disease of newly acquired wrasses and looks just like a bacterial infection. You actually cannot tell them apart without using a microscope.

That said, you say you saw this right after you got the fish? Was it shipped to you? If you bought it from a LFS, you would have seen this in their tanks. If you know it didn't have this mark before you bought it, and then it showed up after you put it in your tank, then that points more to an injury. If you don't know for sure if it had that mark before you bought it, you should contact the seller.

Is the fish eating this morning?

For reference, here is my article on Uronema:

Uronema / Red Band Disease - Hemdal

Red Band Syndrome in Marine Fishes: Caused by the Protozoan; Uronema sp. Jay Hemdal Introduction: This moderately common disease of certain species of marine fish is so often misdiagnosed that most aquarists apply incorrect treatment methods...

www.reef2reef.com

Jay

 

[Steven9194]

One other possibility is that this is the protozoan Uronema. That is a common disease of newly acquired wrasses and looks just like a bacterial infection. You actually cannot tell them apart without using a microscope.

That said, you say you saw this right after you got the fish? Was it shipped to you? If you bought it from a LFS, you would have seen this in their tanks. If you know it didn't have this mark before you bought it, and then it showed up after you put it in your tank, then that points more to an injury. If you don't know for sure if it had that mark before you bought it, you should contact the seller.

Is the fish eating this morning?

For reference, here is my article on Uronema:

Uronema / Red Band Disease - Hemdal

Red Band Syndrome in Marine Fishes: Caused by the Protozoan; Uronema sp. Jay Hemdal Introduction: This moderately common disease of certain species of marine fish is so often misdiagnosed that most aquarists apply incorrect treatment methods...

www.reef2reef.com

Jay

I purchased the fish from a LFS, however it was a pre order and I didn’t get a good look at the fish until I was home. They received it at the store on Wednesday. He has been eating without issue since I’ve received him.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I purchased the fish from a LFS, however it was a pre order and I didn’t get a good look at the fish until I was home. They received it at the store on Wednesday. He has been eating without issue since I’ve received him.

That it is eating tends to rule out Uronema then. When fish get uronema, it starts as an internal infection. By the time it reaches the skin where you can see it, the infection is throughout the fish and they stop eating about the same time.

 

[Steven9194]

That it is eating tends to rule out Uronema then. When fish get uronema, it starts as an internal infection. By the time it reaches the skin where you can see it, the infection is throughout the fish and they stop eating about the same time.

Well scratch that…. He was fine this morning, however I just got home from work and found him dead in the sand bed. He was eating fine, honestly thought he was going to be alright.

 

[dank.reefer]

Awe bummer dude. I hate it when that happens. Thanks for posing this thread it will help others, myself especially know the warning signs. At least he had a cozy bed for the last night.

Thanks Jay for setting me straight.

I have a local fish QT guy that I buy from so aside from the 1 ich infection that forced me to QT on my own. I always buy QT fish now. The extra money is worth it. Sorry again to hear about your wrasse. What a bummer.