How to differentiate Uronema From Injury

[Huskymaniac]

@Jay Hemdal is there a way to tell the difference between an injury and uronema on a fish. Obviously the easy answer is if the fish is still alive a day layer after a visible sore than its likely an injury or something else. I noticed this subtle red linear sore on my 4 year old female lyertail. She was squabbling a bit with my orange back fairy wrasse but obviously any linear type of wound is somewhat concerning.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

@Jay Hemdal is there a way to tell the difference between an injury and uronema on a fish. Obviously the easy answer is if the fish is still alive a day layer after a visible sore than its likely an injury or something else. I noticed this subtle red linear sore on my 4 year old female lyertail. She was squabbling a bit with my orange back fairy wrasse but obviously any linear type of wound is somewhat concerning.

I can’t tell with gross visual symptoms, not not sure anyone can. That accounts for so many people attributing the lesions to injuries years ago, before Uronema was really well known.
I’ve done biopsies of the lesions and looked at it under a microscope, seeing the protozoans confirms the ID. Trouble is, that’s really invasive.
That all said, I’ve never seen Uronema just show up on a long term captive like that. I only see it on new acquisitions, or rarely on fish that were exposed to new acquisitions.
Jay

 

[Huskymaniac]

I can’t tell with gross visual symptoms, not not sure anyone can. That accounts for so many people attributing the lesions to injuries years ago, before Uronema was really well known.
I’ve done biopsies of the lesions and looked at it under a microscope, seeing the protozoans confirms the ID. Trouble is, that’s really invasive.
That all said, I’ve never seen Uronema just show up on a long term captive like that. I only see it on new acquisitions, or rarely on fish that were exposed to new acquisitions.
Jay

Cool and thanks for the info. I actually haven't added a fish to the display on over 2 years and those were biota mandarins. I have never dealt with uronema in long term captives either. Have only seen it right away in QT. The linear redness is a bit concerning but the fish is acting normal and it's super aggressive self. I'll mix some vitachem with its food and see of it helps.