Clownfish mystery bump

[Hurricane Aquatics]

Hey all,

My disaster with Liveaquaria continues..... I need some help on an ID.

I purchased a bonded pair of Bali Aquarich Helmet Picasso Percula Clowns from Liveaquaria, in May. Long story short, the female died strangely with no symptoms, just labored breathing.

Now, the male developed a bump on the side of his cheek. That developed to an open sore that you will see in the pics.

He is quarantined and I have treated him with Fritz Fix Ich, which also treats parasites, and also Prazipro. Neither has seemed to help.

I have been in saltwater for decades and haven't ever seen this. No other fish was sick, just him. The water is perfect, the system is well established, etc.

Water quality
Temperature - 78 to 79
pH - 7.9
Salinity - 35 or 1.025
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - <5

I would appreciate any insight into his issue.

Thanks guys!

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Ouch, that doesn't look good - The meds you've used so far treat metazoan parasites, but this is more likely bacterial, or more rarely, fungal. The rapid breathing on the first clown that died is probably not related to this issue.

How long has it had this?
Is it still eating?
Is that the only lesion the fish has?
Are you in a position to treat with antibiotics? If so, you could try a broad spectrum, gram negative antibiotic, such as Furan-2, Neoplex or even Maracyn 2 if you can't find those.

If it is an external fungal infection, a 75 ppm formalin dip for one hour under good aeration daily for three days may help, but pure formalin is tough to source. There are also internal fungal infections that erupt on the skin surface, but those are tough (impossible?) to treat.

Jay

 

[Hurricane Aquatics]

Hi Jay,

Thanks for the quick response. It started as a white lump that just appeared overnight it seemed. Then it started to look like parasites coming out of it, then to this open wound.

It's been going on for 3 weeks or more. The mate just started not eating, doing circles on her head and then the rapid breathing. I did a freshwater dip thinking it may have been flukes, but she died anyway.

This guy is still eating, not a lot, but still eating. The only antibiotics I have currently are fish Cephlexin. Would that suffice?

After a quick search if Bali Aquarich Clowns, this seems to be the norm. Wish I knew before I dropped $400 for the pair. I have spent more than 2k with Liveaquaria in the last month and a half and have had a mortality rate if about 85% in fish and corals. I haven't lost that much livestock in my whole time keeping saltwater fish and corals. Really PO'ed at this.

Thank you again for your time and help. Just let me know on the Cephlexin. This is the only wound the fish has. If I need something else I will get it to treat.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Hi Jay,

Thanks for the quick response. It started as a white lump that just appeared overnight it seemed. Then it started to look like parasites coming out of it, then to this open wound.

It's been going on for 3 weeks or more. The mate just started not eating, doing circles on her head and then the rapid breathing. I did a freshwater dip thinking it may have been flukes, but she died anyway.

This guy is still eating, not a lot, but still eating. The only antibiotics I have currently are fish Cephlexin. Would that suffice?

After a quick search if Bali Aquarich Clowns, this seems to be the norm. Wish I knew before I dropped $400 for the pair. I have spent more than 2k with Liveaquaria in the last month and a half and have had a mortality rate if about 85% in fish and corals. I haven't lost that much livestock in my whole time keeping saltwater fish and corals. Really PO'ed at this.

Thank you again for your time and help. Just let me know on the Cephlexin. This is the only wound the fish has. If I need something else I will get it to treat.

Sorry - I've never used Cephalexin/Keflex in aquariums, so I can't help you with that dosage. I checked the formularies in my library, and didn't see any doses listed either.

Sorry to hear about your mortality rate - that really isn't good at all, but for newly imported Pacific fish, studies that I've made show a pretty consistent 40 to 60% rate for newly imported fish for the first 45 days. I would expect that captive raised fish such as these would have a much better rate. The trouble here might be what I call a "double bounce". The fish are imported, but then are drop-shipped to you. The extra stress can be an issue.

I know it sounds harsh, but if the cost of these fish is less than around 50% of what you could buy them for locally, you could still be ahead of the game. Buying post-imported fish, that have gone through a quarantine will help with that though.

Jay

 

[Hurricane Aquatics]

Jay,

I'll let you know how it turns out.

On the imported fish, I guess we would have to ask Liveaquaria on that one. I bought them from there.

I dosed just now, so we'll see how the little guy does over the next few days.

Thanks again.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Jay,

I'll let you know how it turns out.

On the imported fish, I guess we would have to ask Liveaquaria on that one. I bought them from there.

I dosed just now, so we'll see how the little guy does over the next few days.

Thanks again.

My understanding is that Live Aquaria is now drop-shipping through Quality Marine (Divers Den is different).
Jay

 

[Hurricane Aquatics]

Interesting....

Well I just purchased a Premium Picasso Clown from Liveaquaria a couple of weeks ago. That's the first I have ever bought outside of Diver's Den and it shipped from Florida. It arrived DOA.....

It's been an experience to say the least and an expensive one.

On another note, dosed yesterday with Keflex and it l helped a bit it seems. Will do a small water change and dose again today.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Interesting....

Well I just purchased a Premium Picasso Clown from Liveaquaria a couple of weeks ago. That's the first I have ever bought outside of Diver's Den and it shipped from Florida. It arrived DOA.....

It's been an experience to say the least and an expensive one.

On another note, dosed yesterday with Keflex and it l helped a bit it seems. Will do a small water change and dose again today.

Oh, maybe they are also drop shipping from ORA or Proaquatix in Florida?
Jay