Hole in Melanurus Wrasse

[JJKK]

Hi folks. I thought yesterday that my melanurus wrasse at a piece of sand stuck on his head from emerging from his sleep with it. I did noticed that he had it on him pretty much all day.

This morning, I saw a round hole in his head where I thought the sand spot was. Now I think it wasn't a sand debris that I saw yesterday. Can anyone suggest what is the issue here and remedy?

I had this fish for over 3 years. It did suffer some kind of lockjaw issue a couple of months back but it is still eating. A quick google search mentioned head in hole disease is a real thing but I am not sure if it is commonly associated with wrasses.

Thanks for your help.

 

[LAReefer4Life]

Do you have inverts that such as anemone that could have messed with him?

Marine hole in the head disease is a common disease in tangs and angelfish. This disease is often referred to as Head and Lateral Line Erosion (HLLE). This disease has several contributing factors, and if caught early, can usually be successfully treated.

There are several suspected contributors to the development of this disease, but one of the most commonly described is that of a vitamin deficiency, particularly Vitamin C. Chronic stress has also been suggested as contributing to the formation of the disease, as has stray voltage within the tank. Some forms of activated carbon have been thought to cause mineral imbalance and increase the incidence of the disease.

 

[Big G]

Probably an infection from a wound suffered during a collision with a rock. Pretty common on wrasses. For wounds on the head area consider using Sulfaplex (aka triple sulfa), or Sulfaplex + Neoplex. Works pretty good on wounds and infections in that area of the body. Beautiful fish in your tank by the way.

 

[HotRocks]

Probably an infection from a wound suffered during a collision with a rock. Pretty common on wrasses. For wounds on the head area consider using Sulfaplex (aka triple sulfa), or Sulfaplex + Neoplex. Works pretty good on wounds and infections in that area of the body. Beautiful fish in your tank by the way.

+1

 

[JJKK]

Do you have inverts that such as anemone that could have messed with him?

Marine hole in the head disease is a common disease in tangs and angelfish. This disease is often referred to as Head and Lateral Line Erosion (HLLE). This disease has several contributing factors, and if caught early, can usually be successfully treated.

There are several suspected contributors to the development of this disease, but one of the most commonly described is that of a vitamin deficiency, particularly Vitamin C. Chronic stress has also been suggested as contributing to the formation of the disease, as has stray voltage within the tank. Some forms of activated carbon have been thought to cause mineral imbalance and increase the incidence of the disease.

Thanks for the input. I have a black widow nem but it is in an acclimation box so probably not the candidate as the invert messing with him. I do have some emerald crabs and a pretty big brittle star. The only thing in the tank connected to power are 2 MP40s which have the drivers on the dry side, so probably no stray voltage either.

Probably an infection from a wound suffered during a collision with a rock. Pretty common on wrasses. For wounds on the head area consider using Sulfaplex (aka triple sulfa), or Sulfaplex + Neoplex. Works pretty good on wounds and infections in that area of the body. Beautiful fish in your tank by the way.

So, Big G is probably right that it is an injury from diving into sand bottom or hitting a rock. I am near the end of treating the reef tank with fluconozole to battle bryopsis. Are Sulfaplex and Neoplex reef safe? Or should I treat him in another tank? Also, since fluconozole is anti-fungal as well, do I need Sulfaplex? Thank you.