Cow fish issue?

[mrpontiac80]

So I recently got a cow fish and it is in qt now. I noticed a very small “bump” on one of its horns but it is getting bigger. Is this something to be concerned about? Any thoughts appreciated!

Fist pics when I got him 1.5 weeks ago. Last 2 pics are from tonight

And tonight…

 

[blaxsun]

Online or a LFS?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Likely an injury or infection from injury as they need regular food source and will try to get into crevices where the horns are often it the way. There is bacterial mass around its horn and you can safely treat with seachem kanaplex if it worsens.
Did this progressively develop or was it sudden?

 

[mrpontiac80]

Online or a LFS?

Lfs.

 

[mrpontiac80]

Likely an injury or infection from injury as they need regular food source and will try to get into crevices where the horns are often it the way. There is bacterial mass around its horn and you can safely treat with seachem kanaplex if it worsens.
Did this progressively develop or was it sudden?

I noticed when I put it in qt about 1.5 weeks ago but it was so minimal it almost looked as if that horn was just “different “. So it has gradually gotten bigger over the week.

 

[blaxsun]

Lfs.

Apparently the horns will eventually grow back if they lose them.

 

[mrpontiac80]

Apparently the horns will eventually grow back if they lose them.

Interesting. I’ve never had a cow fish or box fish before. I did some quick research on it before buying though.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I noticed when I put it in qt about 1.5 weeks ago but it was so minimal it almost looked as if that horn was just “different “. So it has gradually gotten bigger over the week.

Ok, based on that, I would treat for infection.
While regrowth occurs, it takes a few months and you want to avoid infection

 

[mrpontiac80]

Ok, based on that, I would treat for infection.
While regrowth occurs, it takes a few months and you want to avoid infection

So you would recommend the seachem kanaplex or something else?

 

[vetteguy53081]

So you would recommend the seachem Jana pled or something else?

Kanaplex in qt or Ruby rally pro

 

[mrpontiac80]

Kanaplex in qt or Ruby rally pro

Thank you for your help vetteguy!

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Thank you for your help vetteguy!

I agree, looks like an injury/infection that cowfish often get during shipping/handling. In fact, I've seen people use little rubber corks on the horns of cowfish during shipment, but I think that probably does more harm than good due to the extra handling involved.

Be sure to dose the Kanaplex accurately, it can be toxic if over dosed.

Jay

 

[Singspot]

Cow fish is very personable and mine is a puppy!

They bump on stuff and horn gets shortened but regrows ... i do not put any medication. Just feed well, keep water stable.

Mine is now 14" end to end and super nice!

They are like "Rays", has no scale and prone to ich but if you keep tank well fed, no fish that bullys it, they will stay long!

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[mrpontiac80]

I agree, looks like an injury/infection that cowfish often get during shipping/handling. In fact, I've seen people use little rubber corks on the horns of cowfish during shipment, but I think that probably does more harm than good due to the extra handling involved.

Be sure to dose the Kanaplex accurately, it can be toxic if over dosed.

Jay

Thank you!

 

[mrpontiac80]

Cow fish is very personable and mine is a puppy!

They bump on stuff and horn gets shortened but regrows ... i do not put any medication. Just feed well, keep water stable.

Mine is now 14" end to end and super nice!

They are like "Rays", has no scale and prone to ich but if you keep tank well fed, no fish that bullys it, they will stay long!

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

youtube.com

Is that yours in the video? Very cool. How old is yours to get 14 inches?

 

[Singspot]

That is my Cow fish!

He has been with me for 2 years but I bought him from Absolutely fish about 12 inch ...

He is always hungry!

Been completely reef safe thus far!

 

[LilElroyJetson]

Cow fish is very personable and mine is a puppy!

They bump on stuff and horn gets shortened but regrows ... i do not put any medication. Just feed well, keep water stable.

Mine is now 14" end to end and super nice!

They are like "Rays", has no scale and prone to ich but if you keep tank well fed, no fish that bullys it, they will stay long!

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

youtube.com

Your tank is so cool! And the clown fish! (All the fish really.)