Clownfish with bubble under chin

[Meatball_reef]

Hey all -

Have a clownfish with a bubble/inflammation in the chin/mouth area. Acting somewhat lethargic, not totally hiding but somewhat. Tries to eat, so that is good I suppose. Any thoughts on what this might be?

Thanks

 

[Meatball_reef]

Been searching a few other forums and the only related thing I've found is treatment with Maracyn II. Going to get some and set up a QT tomorrow. Honestly though I'd like to just power feed this thing through if possible. The clown has been swimming around decently, but not as active as the other one that is in the tank. So hopefully I have some time.

What is weird though, this is the bigger of the two clowns in the tank, and has been getting somewhat bullied by the smaller one. I wonder if they are both females; they have only been in the tank for a few days. Both are pretty small (~1.3in).

If anyone has any other thoughts though they would be appreciated.

 

[Mjrenz]

I think @Lasse may be of help

 

[Lasse]

I think @Lasse may be of help

Not really because it is rather difficult to see the problem in the picture. Are you sure it is not a genetic disorder of the operculum ? Different damage of operculum is common among farmed fishes - most common is a shortening of the operculum.

However I did some research of the recommended drug. It is a fat soluble antibiotic drug against gram-negative bacteria. The fact that it is somehow fat soluble make it good for treating through adding the drug into the water even against internal gram-negative bacteria. So - the drug will work - that is - if it really is a bacterial disease - internal or external.

However - I am not sure it is a bacterial infection at all. If it is - it is probably an internal disease and you will note that the fish get worse with time, more lethargic, not eating, more shy and so on.

Should you treat - in case off? As many maybe knows - I´m not a fan of using drugs - just in case off - especially not antibiotics. I would probably wait until I was more sure that it is a bacterial infection. Typical signs of a developing internal bacteria driven disease are - as mentioned before - shy behavior, lethargic behavior, dark colouration and poor appetite. Another indication of an internal bacteria disease is often a pattern of red small dots with the size of a pinprick - mostly on the underside of the belly.

Hope you get more information in this thread in order to get a better decision support - you are the one to judge what to do.

Sincerely Lasse

 

[Meatball_reef]

Thank you for the informative reply @Lasse. I have ordered the Maracyn 2. Plan of action right now is to observe for another few days. If the clown remains unchanged, I will probably treat it in a QT. If anything the QT will give it ample oppertunity to eat without competing for food from the wrasse and other clown in the tank.

The poor appetite and shyness is bothering me. I also found it stuck to a powerhead yesterday, thought it was a goner. But I turned it off and it swam away. So something definitely is going on. If it is a genetic abnormality, nothing can be done. If it is a bacterial infection of some type, at least I can try to do something. Thanks again.