Flame hawk infection?

[TheShrimpNibbler]

Yesterday I noticed what looked like a white raised patch of the back side of my flame hawk. It looked kind of like a a scratch. When I went and looked at it again to today, the place was larger and more defined. I’m worried it might be infected. What would be the best course of treatment? I added a dose of melafix yesterday when I thought it was a scratch, but it seems that didn’t help at all. There also looks to be an odd looking place on the other side of the fish, but it is very lightly colored and not as bad. He is still eating and coming out, and breathing does not seem excessively fast. I got a couple pictures of it, but they aren’t great. I can transfer it to a quarantine tank tomorrow if you all think I need to. Sorry about the cyano on the rock, the flow is very low in that spot.

 

[TheShrimpNibbler]

After looking around a bit more, it looks like it could also be lymphocystis. I’m not sure exactly how to tell which it is yet.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

That is unlikely to be Lymphocystis, it isn't growing like that normally does. How long have you had the hawkfish? What other fish are in with it? It is easy to jump to the conclusion that it injured itself, but really, hawkfish spend their lives in contact with coral reefs, they just aren't prone to injuring themselves.

The fact that the lesion is growing is the issue. If that trend continues today, you should consider moving it to a treatment tank and dosing with a broad spectrum, gram negative antibiotic such as Neoplex, Furan-2 or even Maracyn 2.

Jay

 

[TheShrimpNibbler]

Thank you for the help! I have had the fish for about 8 months now. This is the only fish in the tank. I will go see how it looks as soon as I finish class. If it looks worse, I will go to my lfs this afternoon and attempt to find any of the antibiotics you mentioned. Do you have any ideas what could have caused this to suddenly happen? Thanks again for the help!

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Thank you for the help! I have had the fish for about 8 months now. This is the only fish in the tank. I will go see how it looks as soon as I finish class. If it looks worse, I will go to my lfs this afternoon and attempt to find any of the antibiotics you mentioned. Do you have any ideas what could have caused this to suddenly happen? Thanks again for the help!

Sorry, no idea how this could have happened, most bacterial infections are secondary to an injury.
Jay

 

[TheShrimpNibbler]

Thank you so much for the help! The fish is still acting good other than being a little skittish, but the place looks worse on both sides. When I got up close, it almost looks like it is scales that are pointing outward and have turned white. Could it be that the fish is swelling internally and pushing the scales out? It won’t sit still so it’s hard to tell for sure. My lfs says that they have Karachi and some other medications, so I’m going to head over there in a minute.
Edit: the other lfs in my area has both neoplex and furan 2, so I’m going there now. Which of the two would you recommend getting, and is there anything else I should look for while I’m there?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I didn’t realize - the fish has lesions on both sides? That makes an injury a lot less likely, kind of like you stubbing your toes on both feet.
I wonder if you might want to dose Neoplex and furan 2 at the same time in the treatment tank?
Jay

 

[TheShrimpNibbler]

I didn’t realize - the fish has lesions on both sides? That makes an injury a lot less likely, kind of like you stubbing your toes on both feet.
I wonder if you might want to dose Neoplex and furan 2 at the same time in the treatment tank?
Jay

Yes, the fish now has spot on each side. The newer one isn’t quite as bad. I only got furan 2, do you think this will be enough to help it? I plan to move it into the qt tank and begin treatment tomorrow. Thanks again Jay.