Help! Clownfish with swollen lips

[Lenny_S]

I'm in the 4th transfer of TTM/quarantine (11 days) and I noticed that one of the 2 clownfish I have in the QT has swollen lips and isn't eating.
Has anyone seen this before? What is it, can it be treated and how?

 

[Humblefish]

My initial thought is: Did he/she get his/her lips caught in the black intake of that powerfilter/powerhead trying to reach some food?

Also, any aggression between the two clownfish? You sure you got a male & female? Two females will lock jaws.

 

[Lenny_S]

I work on the sofa right next to the QT and watched them all week. I never saw any aggression, but I haven't watched them 24x7. I shut the filter off when I feed them, then I scoop out any uneaten food before I turn it back on. I have used a net during the tank transfers, so I suppose that could cause an injury.
Any suggestions on treatment? I have some Erythromycin. The TTM schedule would have them in the DT tomorrow, but I could just do a fifth 3 day stay in QT and just do a transfer tomorrow. Any thoughts?

 

[ThePriceSeliger]

Is there any color to the swollen area? It looks to be a lighter shade of orange, but is there any white spots or growths present around or inside the mouth? Of course, when it's all said and done you'll discover that the clown had a little Botox work done, trying to achieve a more full look of the lips.

 

[Humblefish]

Right now all I see is swelling, so you could add some Epsom salt to the water (1 tablespoon per 5 gallons) to help with that. If that doesn't help, then go with the Erythromycin.

FYI; I recommend you observe for at least two weeks post TTM to watch for signs of other diseases (brook, velvet, bacterial infection, etc.) I certainly wouldn't transfer these clowns into the DT until this lip situation has cleared up.

 

[Lenny_S]

Is there any color to the swollen area? It looks to be a lighter shade of orange, but is there any white spots or growths present around or inside the mouth? Of course, when it's all said and done you'll discover that the clown had a little Botox work done, trying to achieve a more full look of the lips.

The vanity! [emoji6]
As near as I can tell, they are just swollen lips. He/she is very active, but hasn't eaten for 2 days now.

 

[Lenny_S]

Right now all I see is swelling, so you could add some Epsom salt to the water (1 tablespoon per 5 gallons) to help with that. If that doesn't help, then go with the Erythromycin.

FYI; I recommend you observe for at least two weeks post TTM to watch for signs of other diseases (brook, velvet, bacterial infection, etc.) I certainly wouldn't transfer these clowns into the DT until this lip situation has cleared up.

The first 2 stays (6 days) was coupled with PraziPro. The last 2 have just been transfers.
I'm going to start a 4 day course of Erythromycin today and do another transfer tomorrow. I definitely want this cleared up and both eating well before moving to the DT. Thanks for the input.

 

[Bunnee911]

Is that a tear on his top fin? Try some bbs. If he can resist that he IS sick.

 

[Jdmonealp]

Ah. That looks like a bad case of kardashi-itus....... Lol.

Joking aside, No Bueno. Hope it pulls through

 

[Lenny_S]

Is that a tear on his top fin? Try some bbs. If he can resist that he IS sick.

That's just a water stain on the outside of the glass from when I rinsed it the last time.

 

[Lenny_S]

Ah. That looks like a bad case of kardashi-itus....... Lol.

Joking aside, No Bueno. Hope it pulls through

It is funny looking. At least he's been eating good up until about 2 days ago. As long as the Erythromycin clears it up and he starts eating again in the next 3-4 days I think he'll pull through. Will post updates.

 

[ice28720]

Use this medicine for your clownfish

 

[Lenny_S]

Thanks, I'll try that if the Erythromycin fails. I already started it yesterday and want to finish the treatment before switching to something else. It would take me a couple of days to get that anyway. Looks like something that would be good to have on hand regardless. Thanks.

 

[Lenny_S]

I'm pleased to report the swelling has gone down considerably as of this afternoon and the little guy/girl ate a bit of mysis just now. So far 2 doses of Erythromycin yesterday morning and this morning and seeing positive results in the afternoon of day 2. I'm encouraged.

 

[ice28720]

You can upload pictures give me see (Erythromycin)

 

[Humblefish]

I'm pleased to report the swelling has gone down considerably as of this afternoon and the little guy/girl ate a bit of mysis just now. So far 2 doses of Erythromycin yesterday morning and this morning and seeing positive results in the afternoon of day 2. I'm encouraged.

Sounds good!

 

[recess62]

I am an MD. If this were a person I would say it was an allergic reaction to the medication. Not sure if fish have allergies.

 

[recess62]

I was intrigued by this and asked my best friend the vet about allergies in fish. Here is his response

Course and also and over dose alot are toxic drugs
Metronidizole
Copper sulfate
Methylene blue

 

[Lenny_S]

The thing with this is it didn't happen until a day after transfer #3 which was to just plain tank water. If it was a reaction to the PraziPro wouldn't this have shown up during the two transfers when the PraziPro was added to the QT?

 

[Humblefish]

The thing with this is it didn't happen until a day after transfer #3 which was to just plain tank water. If it was a reaction to the PraziPro wouldn't this have shown up during the two transfers when the PraziPro was added to the QT?

FWIW; Praziquantel only remains active in the water for 72 hrs max (confirmed by Hikari); however it's effectiveness (and presumably, toxicity) is reduced after just 24 hrs (which is all it takes to eradicate flukes anyway.)