Bacterial infection?

[1MCp]

Hi everyone,

Needing some help here. I'll start with my tank specs.

30G 29x16x12
Prizm skimmer rated for 40G
Two small filter bags of porous rocks inside a canister filter for bacteria to grow on.
28lbs of live rock.
1.5-2in of sand.

Been running for about six months.

Inhabitants are as follows:
Small + medium oc clown fish paired
Six line wrasse
Pj cardknal
Spotted sand sifting goby
Coral beauty

Cleaner shrimp
5 astrea snails
7 small hermit crabs

Kenya tree coral (longest branch around 4in)
Green bubble tip anemone
Two small fragged mushroom corals

Last fish added was the six line wrasse about two weeks ago.

Water level is 0 nitrate 0 nitrite Ph 8.2-8.3 KH 100 0 ammonia

I have noticed some damage on my coral beauty fin. The top fin seem a bit ragged and a barely visible whiteness around the ragged area.

I also see some blurring/whitening fades around the left gill and mouth area.

It swims like it has been for the past few months, it eats really well and swims around every crevice of live rocks to nip at food/algae.

Should I be concerned and medicate the fish? It is rather difficult to catch him to be in a qt tank. I was hoping wrasse or cleaner shrimp might help clean up the problem.

Any input is appreciated! I will try to get a pic asap it's hard as coral beauty moves constantly.

 

[mcarroll]

Are the clowns defending a territory yet?

Is the live rock "wild" or dry? Could be a hitchhiker.

 

[mcarroll]

Gotta have a pic for the rest, btw. Could just be healing finnage.

If you chill in front of the tank and be still for 10-15 minutes or so, he might settle down for at least a second to get photographed.

 

[1MCp]

Are the clowns defending a territory yet?

Is the live rock "wild" or dry? Could be a hitchhiker.

The clowns have their spot that they settled into weeks before the addition of the coral beauty. Also the smaller one spends most of its time by the anemone. While the bigger of the pair swim about during the day.

I havent seen the coral beauty and clownfish tussle or chase each other, but the two swim peacefully together sometimes.

 

[1MCp]

Are the clowns defending a territory yet?

Is the live rock "wild" or dry? Could be a hitchhiker.

The live rocks from a LFS when I first started cycling the tank six months ago. No other fish had any problems like this before. This started happening about few days ago.

 

[1MCp]

Gotta have a pic for the rest, btw. Could just be healing finnage.

If you chill in front of the tank and be still for 10-15 minutes or so, he might settle down for at least a second to get photographed.

I will try my best for a pic within the next few hours.

 

[mcarroll]

The clowns have their spot that they settled into weeks before the addition of the coral beauty. Also the smaller one spends most of its time by the anemone. While the bigger of the pair swim about during the day.

I havent seen the coral beauty and clownfish tussle or chase each other, but the two swim peacefully together sometimes.

I wouldn't rule out a little mortal combat just yet. Once they establish territory, they can be some of the nastiest little fishes when you come near it or they perceive threat. I've been bitten to the point of bleeding dozens of times.

 

[1MCp]

I wouldn't rule out a little mortal combat just yet. Once they establish territory, they can be some of the nastiest little fishes when you come near it or they perceive threat. I've been bitten to the point of bleeding dozens of times.

Oh my, I mean I watch my tank as often as I can and have yet to see a brawl, but I'll keep that in mind! Thanks for all your input.

 

[melypr1985]

I'm wondering if this isn't something else coupled with an infection. I really need a picture to tell you any more. Try to get a close up, clear and in focus picture. We'll do our best to help!

 

[1MCp]

Just an update, I have just witnessed the clownfish and coral beauty in a tussle. Perhaps that's the cause of all this damage. I am trying to get pics now.

 

[1MCp]

I'm wondering if this isn't something else coupled with an infection. I really need a picture to tell you any more. Try to get a close up, clear and in focus picture. We'll do our best to help!

 

[1MCp]

 

[1MCp]

Gotta have a pic for the rest, btw. Could just be healing finnage.

If you chill in front of the tank and be still for 10-15 minutes or so, he might settle down for at least a second to get photographed.

These are the best pics I could take. Doesn't show in the pic but there are white-ish fades around the damaged area and on the left cheek area

 

[melypr1985]

That looks pretty severe. If you want to save him, remove him to QT and start antibiotics. Kanaplex + Furan 2 and if you can add metroplex to the mix. Follow the directions on each package. Keep up with water changes per directions. Add extra O2 to the QT during the whole time. Treat for a minimum of 10 days- probably be longer for it to clear up.

 

[mcarroll]

Any theories as to the cause, @melypr1985 (or anyone)?

Fin damage is no great shakes if that's all it was, but it looks like something is beating the snot out of that fish.

 

[melypr1985]

Any theories as to the cause, @melypr1985 (or anyone)?

Fin damage is no great shakes if that's all it was, but it looks like something is beating the snot out of that fish.

It certainly does look like it got beat up. The injuries can get infected and the stress from beatings can make it worse. Of course, there could be other reasons such as parasites behind it all. I just can't tell anything else from those pictures. Right now I'm only sure of it being in bad shape and having an infection going on.

 

[mcarroll]

Yawp.

 

[aaron23]

Looks like the clown is kicking the poop out of the cb

 

[mcarroll]

Yeah....unless someone else can bring up a better theory, I don't think I'd put this fish back into this tank with these clowns once you get him out.

Bummer, but this really looks like shenanigans.

 

[1MCp]

Yeah....unless someone else can bring up a better theory, I don't think I'd put this fish back into this tank with these clowns once you get him out.

Bummer, but this really looks like shenanigans.

Thanks for all the input, so weird that I see them tussle but when I was there they swam like they were best buddies. I will qt the Cb and see how it recovers and see if I can give it to a friend if it's on it's way to healing.