Clownfish, small bumps on head

[kev.2013]

Hello All,

I noticed that one of my clowns has some small bumps on his head, he's acting normal and eating well. The impacted clown has been in the tank since December. I don't recall seeing this earlier at all. There is a second clown that's been in the tank for almost 2 years and doesn't have any of the small bumps on his head. Other fish in the tank are friendly (tail spot blenny, and a Pink Streaked Wrasse). Both clowns are hosted by a BTA. Other fish don't appear to have this on them. Below is a photo of the fella, I have just ordered Ruby Reef, Metro and General Cure API but am wondering if I could have any insight on what this might be. It's a little hard to tell, since he's an almost all black clown.

Thank you,

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hello All,

I noticed that one of my clowns has some small bumps on his head, he's acting normal and eating well. The impacted clown has been in the tank since December. I don't recall seeing this earlier at all. There is a second clown that's been in the tank for almost 2 years and doesn't have any of the small bumps on his head. Other fish in the tank are friendly (tail spot blenny, and a Pink Streaked Wrasse). Both clowns are hosted by a BTA. Other fish don't appear to have this on them. Below is a photo of the fella, I have just ordered Ruby Reef, Metro and General Cure API but am wondering if I could have any insight on what this might be. It's a little hard to tell, since he's an almost all black clown.

Thank you,

I can see why you have photo of the month badge - WOW
If I see correctly, the fish has secondary infections with lesionswhich stem from brook. Your fish will have mucus which is noticeable on the fish. This mucus generally starts at the facial area as well as gills and spreads across the body producing lesions as it progresses often confused with ich and can turn into secondary bacteria. Other symptoms will be lethargic behavior, refusing to eat and heavy breathing from the mucus.
Typical treatment is a formalin solution is mixed with in a separate container with either fresh or saltwater. Start with a quick dip in the formalin at a higher concentration then performing treatment in a prolonged bath of formalin base at a lower concentration in a quarantine tank. The longer the fish are exposed to the formalin treatment the more effective it will be at eliminating this issue.
If a formalin solution is not available for immediate use, temporary relief can be achieved by giving the fish a FW bath or dip in water same temperature as display tank. Even though this treatment will not cure the disease, it can help to remove some of the parasites, as well as reduce the amount of mucus in the gills to assist with respiration problems.
Treatment is best done in a QT tank using either quick cure (more effective but now harder to find) or Ruby Rally Pro. Ruby takes a little longer and initial treatment generally takes 2-3 days to really start going to work.
With the advanced stage of this- I recommend immediate quarantine of all inhabitants and leaving display without fish for 4-6 weeks.
A quarantine system if you dont have one can be as simple as a starter tank kit from walmart which has most of the essentials

 

[kev.2013]

I can see why you have photo of the month badge - WOW
If I see correctly, the fish has secondary infections with lesionswhich stem from brook. Your fish will have mucus which is noticeable on the fish. This mucus generally starts at the facial area as well as gills and spreads across the body producing lesions as it progresses often confused with ich and can turn into secondary bacteria. Other symptoms will be lethargic behavior, refusing to eat and heavy breathing from the mucus.
Typical treatment is a formalin solution is mixed with in a separate container with either fresh or saltwater. Start with a quick dip in the formalin at a higher concentration then performing treatment in a prolonged bath of formalin base at a lower concentration in a quarantine tank. The longer the fish are exposed to the formalin treatment the more effective it will be at eliminating this issue.
If a formalin solution is not available for immediate use, temporary relief can be achieved by giving the fish a FW bath or dip in water same temperature as display tank. Even though this treatment will not cure the disease, it can help to remove some of the parasites, as well as reduce the amount of mucus in the gills to assist with respiration problems.
Treatment is best done in a QT tank using either quick cure (more effective but now harder to find) or Ruby Rally Pro. Ruby takes a little longer and initial treatment generally takes 2-3 days to really start going to work.
With the advanced stage of this- I recommend immediate quarantine of all inhabitants and leaving display without fish for 4-6 weeks.
A quarantine system if you dont have one can be as simple as a starter tank kit from walmart which has most of the essentials

Thank you so much for the advice, so I’ll be good with Ruby with just a longer bath?

assuming I should put both clowns in the bath/QT?

 

[sfin52]

Thank you so much for the advice, so I’ll be good with Ruby with just a longer bath?

assuming I should put both clowns in the bath/QT?

Yes

 

[vetteguy53081]

Thank you so much for the advice, so I’ll be good with Ruby with just a longer bath?

assuming I should put both clowns in the bath/QT?

Not necessary but you can to assure other not infected with same

 

[sfin52]

Thank you so much for the advice, so I’ll be good with Ruby with just a longer bath?

assuming I should put both clowns in the bath/QT?

If your pulling one because of brook why not treat both just in case. That's what I would do

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I’m not sure this is brooklynella, if it were my fish, in the total absence of other physical symptoms, I would prepare for the worst, but hold off on a treatment until some symptoms develop…then, you’ll pull the trigger.
Jay

 

[kev.2013]

I’m not sure this is brooklynella, if it were my fish, in the total absence of other physical symptoms, I would prepare for the worst, but hold off on a treatment until some symptoms develop…then, you’ll pull the trigger.
Jay

So have the meds ready in case it develops? What else would you recommend o have on hand besides Ruby Reef, Metro, General Cure API? Should I stock cuppermine too?

Thanks Jay

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

So have the meds ready in case it develops? What else would you recommend o have on hand besides Ruby Reef, Metro, General Cure API? Should I stock cuppermine too?

Thanks Jay

I would stock coppersafe as well.
Jay