Clownfish brook?

[jake royston]

Noticed one of my clowns have developed what I thought was brook, but I’m thinking now may be something else. Had them about two months now, tank is fully cycled. Reading No ammonia. Noticed horizontal lines on both sides close to his spine. Doesn’t look slimy or puffy, could this just be aggression from another fish? Looks similar on both sides. He seems pretty normal other than that. They like the bottom corner near the heater, seem to be eating normally

 

[Idoc]

It looks like Brooklynella to me...above that line is slightly hazier than below the line. HLLE can give you a linear pattern like that as well. But seeing that Brook is so prevalent in the clown community AND that it is a quick killer of clowns and other damsels, I would treat now for Brooklynella. I would also treat the other fish in the tank with the clown as well since they may now be carrying it as well...which could reinfect your clown after its treatment.

45min formalin bath followed by moving to a clean quarantine tank and treated with Metrodonizole every 48hrs for 10-14 days. If you can't find formalin, you can use Ruby Reef Rally but the bath is for 90minutes.

Good luck!

 

[jake royston]

A few better photos.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

It could be Brooklynella, but the white is following the fish's lateral line. Clownfish don't get lateral line erosion, but the lateral line cells can produce excess mucus, which may just go away on its own. You should probably set up a treatment tank and prepare to treat it for Brook (and possibly the other clown as well).

Jay