Canary blenny - normal coloration or black ich?

[kris10house]

Hi friends!

I've had this lovely Canary blenny in my reef tank for a couple of months now. He has a funny personality, and I love him - but noticed that he's lately started nipping at his tail - he's nipped one of the forks clean off! His coloration is also a little off - wondering if any if you folks might let me know if this is black ich or some other funk? He's eating well, sociable, and seems happy otherwise.

Thanks!
K

 

[Big G]

With Black Ich the spots are raised above the skin. Is that what you are seeing?

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/black-ich-turbellarians.259912/#post-3081874

 

[kris10house]

Nope, they're flat - like the rest of his color. Maybe he's just stressed?

 

[rkpetersen]

First welcome to R2R!

Sorry about the Canary blenny not doing well.
That coloration looks pretty bad. I'd be concerned about a bacterial infection, maybe flukes although I don't see any in that closeup shot.
I have a Canary too and it's never bitten it's own tail. Not sure why it would be doing that but it can't be good.
I would probably do a freshwater dip and then into a medicated quarantine tank for observation, if possible.

@ngoodermuth @Frtdrmrose7 @HotRocks

 

[ngoodermuth]

He is very thin, and I do think it looks more like a bacterial infection... though a freshwater dip might tell for sure. If there are less black spots after the dip, it’s likely black ich.

Can you get him into a QT? Any meds on hand? How is he eating?

 

[Tamberav]

He looks very underweight. I would be feeding several times a day and you may want to medicate his food in case there is internal parasites contributing to his weight.

Not sure why he would bite his own tail. I know sometimes freshwater Bettas will do this sometimes...it is thought to be from things like stress or hunger. Perhaps his poor condition is somehow causing that behavior.

 

[kris10house]

Hi friends!

24 hours after a freshwater dip, and no difference in coloration. But I'm uppi g his feeding schedule per your comments. I can set up a qt but don't want to over-stress him. He's acting normal and happy. Thoughts?

 

[ngoodermuth]

Hi friends!

24 hours after a freshwater dip, and no difference in coloration. But I'm uppi g his feeding schedule per your comments. I can set up a qt but don't want to over-stress him. He's acting normal and happy. Thoughts?

If he is eating and behaving somewhat normally, you can try enriching his foods first. I use vita-chem, selcon and Zoecon are other good choices.

Also, I think blennies are mostly omnivores, though I’ve never had a fang blenny. But, I would offer nori or another type of algae as well.

 

[kris10house]

Perfect! Will pick some meds up tomorrow and we'll roll from there. Thank you!

 

[KillaBLK]

How’d it turn out?