Flame Hawk loose scales

[Muppy]

Hi there. I have 2 flame hawks in my tank and they both look the same. Cloudy coloration and scales looking loose / lifted. They are still acting normally and eating fine. All other fish appear to be fine. The flame hawks have been like this for about 1 week.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hi there. I have 2 flame hawks in my tank and they both look the same. Cloudy coloration and scales looking loose / lifted. They are still acting normally and eating fine. All other fish appear to be fine. The flame hawks have been like this for about 1 week.

Looks like either bloating or a bacterial issue but fish is in essence too close in the pics to tell if its skin irritation or injury..

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Hi there. I have 2 flame hawks in my tank and they both look the same. Cloudy coloration and scales looking loose / lifted. They are still acting normally and eating fine. All other fish appear to be fine. The flame hawks have been like this for about 1 week.

How long have you had the hawkfish?
Any evidence of fighting?

This species is really prone to Neobenedenia flukes.

Jay

 

[Muppy]

I have had these guys for about 6 months.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I have had these guys for about 6 months.

They aren’t fighting or staying at opposite ends of the tank?

If not, you might want to consider a Prazipro treatment for possible flukes - dosed twice, 8 days apart with extra aeration. Remove carbon filtration, run any skimmer, but don’t collect the skimnate. A 25% water change before the second treatment is a good idea.

Jay

 

[Muppy]

Thanks, I have just added prazi. They aren't fighting at all, they are best mates.

 

[Muppy]

Just a quick update on this. I have just added the second dose of prazi and the flame hawks are looking great. Thanks for the advice.