Fish not looking good

[thesoulpatch]

SO i have a 2 spot that i noticed today was not really moving and not acting like it has recently. I got this fish a week ago today noticed it had loose flesh hanging off it, so i netted and took a picture. Right behind the fit in the circular area is where the flesh was, it fell off in the net and there is a slight gash behind the fin.

In the tank i have 2 clowns, a scopas, melanurus, and a hawk fish. Not sure what could have happened as the are all model citizens and the 2 spot has been swimming with the melly the entire time and are best friends.

He is not just at the top of the tank basically pinned against the wall not moving. ( i have the flow very low right not, just return pump)

 

[Miami Reef]

SO i have a 2 spot that i noticed today was not really moving and not acting like it has recently. I got this fish a week ago today noticed it had loose flesh hanging off it, so i netted and took a picture. Right behind the fit in the circular area is where the flesh was, it fell off in the net and there is a slight gash behind the fin.

In the tank i have 2 clowns, a scopas, melanurus, and a hawk fish. Not sure what could have happened as the are all model citizens and the 2 spot has been swimming with the melly the entire time and are best friends.

He is not just at the top of the tank basically pinned against the wall not moving. ( i have the flow very low right not, just return pump)

Could it be possible the scopas tang was attacking it while you weren’t looking? Zebrasoma tangs can be territorial if they are larger and more established.

I think the best thing you can do is put the fish in a seperate quarantine tank. An antibiotic like furan 2 would be good to have on hand in case it becomes bacterial.

When I see a gash on the side, my first reaction is assuming uronema, but tangs aren’t likely to contract it in comparison to chromis and anthias.

 

[thesoulpatch]

They are the same size and were added at the same time, but that is my thought as well. Just wanted a second opinion. I've got him in another tank being treated now.

 

[Miami Reef]

Your picture has darker spots which resemble black ich: https://humble.fish/black-ich/

If so, prazipro is the treatment of choice.

 

[thesoulpatch]

it might just be the camera. Those spots aren't there when i look at it.

 

[Miami Reef]

it might just be the camera. Those spots aren't there when i look at it.

Good. Let us know how it goes. What meds are you using?

 

[thesoulpatch]

The furan 2. I had some on hand from my last qt

 

[Miami Reef]

The furan 2. I had some on hand from my last qt

I think that will help a lot.

I think it’s also good that you are keeping him separate from the other tang. Bacterial infections are usually secondary to wounds caused from parasites or tank mate aggression. The tank water will always have bacteria, but a healthy fish with lack of wounds will not be affected most of the time.

Keep an eye on the fish’s breathing. I’m going to bet the scopas tang was the one who scratched him, which led to the infection, but I’m not 100% sure.

Another possibility is that the fish was scratching itself on the rocks from gill flukes, or flukes in general.