Clownfish losing scales

[duesmortem]

Hello!

Over the past couple of days I have noticed that my clownfish appears to be missing scales on both sides of her body

I have had her for a couple of months now and this is the first time this is happening. There is also a Neon Goby in the tank with her and it some times nibbles on her. I thought this was the Goby just trying to clean the clownfish, but now I'm becoming skeptical of that theory.

The clownfish also has paired with a hammer in my tank and I'm suspecting that the hammer might be causing this irritation on her.

But what does everyone think? Should I remove the Goby and see if her scales grow back? Or do you think it might just be a result of her trying to acclimate to the hammers polyps?

The hammer in question is in the bottom right of the above photo.

 

[fishface NJ]

looks like Uronema. My clown is being hosted by a Hammer also. The Hammer caused the clown to develop dark dots on it body.

@Jay Hemdal

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Hello!

Over the past couple of days I have noticed that my clownfish appears to be missing scales on both sides of her body

I have had her for a couple of months now and this is the first time this is happening. There is also a Neon Goby in the tank with her and it some times nibbles on her. I thought this was the Goby just trying to clean the clownfish, but now I'm becoming skeptical of that theory.

The clownfish also has paired with a hammer in my tank and I'm suspecting that the hammer might be causing this irritation on her.

But what does everyone think? Should I remove the Goby and see if her scales grow back? Or do you think it might just be a result of her trying to acclimate to the hammers polyps?

The hammer in question is in the bottom right of the above photo.

I've seen this a few times here, but never in my own fish. It is always on the white part of the clownfish. I don't think it is Uronema because the fish don't die right away. I think it may be a bacterial disease, but I am not certain.

Jay

 

[duesmortem]

I've seen this a few times here, but never in my own fish. It is always on the white part of the clownfish. I don't think it is Uronema because the fish don't die right away. I think it may be a bacterial disease, but I am not certain.

Jay

How would you recommend I treat this issue? H2O2 dosing or dip?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

How would you recommend I treat this issue? H2O2 dosing or dip?

That’s the trouble, I don’t know if anyone knows for sure what causes this. If it is bacterial, you would need to move the fish to a isolation tank and treat with a broad spectrum, gram negative antibiotic. Sorry I can’t be more definitive for you….
Jay

 

[Wyvern]

How would you recommend I treat this issue? H2O2 dosing or dip?

I would be hesitant of a hydrgen peroxide dip.

It can burn open skin.

 

[Reef AquaCult]

Definitely should remove and treat. Consider metroplex for uronema and kanaplex for other bacterial infections

 

[duesmortem]

Definitely should remove and treat. Consider metroplex for uronema and kanaplex for other bacterial infections

Can I use API General Cure?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Can I use API General Cure?

GC doesn't work for Uronema or bacteria. I don't think this is Uronema, clownfish rarely get that and the symptoms are not the same. Here is an article I wrote about that disease:

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

 

[duesmortem]

Definitely should remove and treat. Consider metroplex for uronema and kanaplex for other bacterial infections

A better question, should I treat my entire display tank (15 gallons) with these medications?

 

[duesmortem]

GC doesn't work for Uronema or bacteria. I don't think this is Uronema, clownfish rarely get that and the symptoms are not the same. Here is an article I wrote about that disease:

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

Thank you for the link! Should I treat this as a bacterial infection and use metroplex or kanaplex?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Thank you for the link! Should I treat this as a bacterial infection and use metroplex or kanaplex?

Kanaplex. Metroplex is limited to anaerobic bacteria, and external infections, bathed in water, won't be that.

Jay

 

[duesmortem]

Kanaplex. Metroplex is limited to anaerobic bacteria, and external infections, bathed in water, won't be that.

Jay

Can I use Kanaplex to treat my display tank? I have only one other fish (Neon Goby) in there with the clown plus corals and invertebrates

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Can I use Kanaplex to treat my display tank? I have only one other fish (Neon Goby) in there with the clown plus corals and invertebrates

No - I typically do not recommend people dose their main tank with antibiotics. I tired running a search here for the other clownfish I've had reports of having this same issue, but all I found was one where the person never got back to me....

Jay

 

[duesmortem]

No - I typically do not recommend people dose their main tank with antibiotics. I tired running a search here for the other clownfish I've had reports of having this same issue, but all I found was one where the person never got back to me....

Jay

Gotcha, thank you for all the help! I don't have an extra tank to use so I'll set up a QT system in a 5 gallon bucket with a heater and air stone to treat the clown for two weeks

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Gotcha, thank you for all the help! I don't have an extra tank to use so I'll set up a QT system in a 5 gallon bucket with a heater and air stone to treat the clown for two weeks

Do you have a plan to manage the ammonia build-up in the bucket? My worry is that the ammonia will spike, killing the fish.

Jay

 

[duesmortem]

Do you have a plan to manage the ammonia build-up in the bucket? My worry is that the ammonia will spike, killing the fish.

Jay

I would say daily water changes while dosing Stability?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I would say daily water changes while dosing Stability?

Yes - that would be a good plan.

Jay