Ich or bacterial infection?

aurora.k · Jan 29, 2021

So this is the first time I’ve ever had an issue, and am lucky that the fish are in quarantine - but am pretty worried about the clown. First I thought it was ick and this morning started dosing coppersafe. When I got home, I see he definitely has bubble eye and now I think it looks more like a fungal infection, so I dosed maraxcyn oxy as well (I read they can be dosed together). The other fish in the 20 gal QT look fine.

A couple questions

(1) I had on hand these two medications, but had never had an issue before so they were preventative - are these the right ones? Best ones? I could go to a good LFS tomorrow and pick up something else if recommended. And please let me know if they should not be dosed together. I have enough water on hand to do a full tank change if I f’d

(2) should I set up another QT for the fish that still look good? Or just dose them too in the same tank? Or QT separately and dose separately?

(3) what else???

also, I know all of this info is on here in different threads and so I appreciate folks answering me as I was getting stressed by the number of threads.

aurora.k · Jan 29, 2021

Or might it be Brooklynella? If yes it is early stages - the spot on its side further back was the first spot and it doesn’t look like it’s sloughing off and the fish is eating and swimming normally

kenchilada · Jan 30, 2021

aurora.k · Jan 30, 2021

Clown is worse today - seems to be struggling to swim. Any advice??

aurora.k · Jan 30, 2021

Other fish still appear fine - but clown is gasping and resting on the bottom - not on its side and still swimming to stay upright... I can’t figure out how to add a video

aurora.k · Jan 30, 2021

Well, he’s still eating so I assume that good and actually he seems more active... maybe I just woke him up.

aurora.k · Jan 30, 2021

Tried to attach two videos - short one was first thing and second one was after I fed the tank, where maybe he is looking better.

kenchilada · Jan 30, 2021

Hard to tell from your pictures and I can’t view the video, but it does not look like ich. I would think brook or bacterial infection. I hope someone smarter than me can help you!

kenchilada · Jan 30, 2021

aurora.k said:
Tried to attach two videos - short one was first thing and second one was after I fed the tank, where maybe he is looking better.

Try uploading to YouTube and then post the YouTube link. Videos never work for me here.

aurora.k · Jan 30, 2021

Ok - figured that out and think it is easier to see in the video. Other fish in QT still seem totally fine. I think I just woke him up - he seems to be swimming welll but deft has bubble eye which makes me think bacterial? Would love more opinions and recommendations on whether I’m using the right meds

fritz coppersafe
Fristz maracyn oxy

aurora.k · Jan 30, 2021

MangoB · Jan 30, 2021

aurora.k said:
So this is the first time I’ve ever had an issue, and am lucky that the fish are in quarantine - but am pretty worried about the clown. First I thought it was ick and this morning started dosing coppersafe. When I got home, I see he definitely has bubble eye and now I think it looks more like a fungal infection, so I dosed maraxcyn oxy as well (I read they can be dosed together). The other fish in the 20 gal QT look fine.

A couple questions

(1) I had on hand these two medications, but had never had an issue before so they were preventative - are these the right ones? Best ones? I could go to a good LFS tomorrow and pick up something else if recommended. And please let me know if they should not be dosed together. I have enough water on hand to do a full tank change if I f’d

(2) should I set up another QT for the fish that still look good? Or just dose them too in the same tank? Or QT separately and dose separately?

(3) what else???

also, I know all of this info is on here in different threads and so I appreciate folks answering me as I was getting stressed by the number of threads.

it’s brooklynella it can kill in hours would treat with mela and Pima and generacure

Jay Hemdal · Jan 30, 2021

aurora.k said:
Bump

I studied the pictures and videos, sorry, but they aren't clear enough for me to be positive about much...it *looked* like the clown was breathing rapidly in one video, but I can't be certain. The still pictures don't seem to show ich, but rather, Brooklynella or bacterial infection.

The water looks a bit murky. What is your ammonia level and what test kit are you using?

Jay

aurora.k · Jan 30, 2021

I had just gotten some algae in the water column so think that is the murkiness - Ammonia says 0 but it is with API so I did a water change and will pick up a better test today.

aurora.k · Jan 30, 2021

That said, I do think the clown is breathing hard though gobies seem totally fine still...

Jay Hemdal · Jan 30, 2021

So now, I think you need to try and decide between a bacterial infection and Brooklynella. You can find some picture online here in the sticky section that may help.

Jay

aurora.k · Jan 30, 2021

Thank you @Jay Hemdal !! I’ve been looking at those and pretty sure it is bacterial. Can I still dose both medicines - coppersafe and maracyn-oxy? And if I wanted to take a belt and suspenders approach would it be bad to do a fresh water dip (read it’s recommended for Brook) if it is bacterial as that could just stress him out more?

I feel so unprepared for this as I’ve been reefing over three years and never had a sick fish so got complacent about having the right stuff on hand... learning lesson no 137 for me. Doh

DoesitDaly · Jan 30, 2021

Looks like Brook to me. My clowns had Brook and I followed the procedure in the link. My clowns both survived and look great now. Good luck

Thread 'Brooklynella' https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/brooklynella.247938/

DoesitDaly · Jan 30, 2021

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/brooklynella.247938/

vetteguy53081 · Jan 30, 2021

Looks very much like brooklynella with the face being heavy mucus, etc.
Similar symptomatically to Oodinum, this is also a parasite that primarily attacks the gills first. At the onset, fish may scrape up against objects, rapid respiration develops, and fish often gasp for air at the surface as the gills become clogged with mucus. Very quickly the fish will become lethargic, refuse to eat, and its colors will fade. The most noticeable difference that sets Brooklynella apart from Oodinium is the heavy amount of slime that is produced by a fish that has contracted this parasite. As the disease progresses, a thick whitish mucus covers the body. This will usually start at the head and spread outward across the entire body. Skin lesions appear and it is not uncommon for signs of secondary bacterial infections.
Typically a standard formalin solution is mixed with either fresh or saltwater in a separate treatment container. Initially, all fish are given a quick dip in the formalin at a higher concentration, followed by continued treatment in a prolonged bath of formalin at a lower concentration in a quarantine tank (QT). Of course, the longer the fish are exposed to the formalin treatment, the more effective it will be at eliminating this disease.
If a formalin solution is not available for immediate use, temporary relief may be provided by giving fish a FW dip or Bath. Even though this treatment will not cure the disease, it can help to remove some of the parasites, as well as reduce the amount of mucus in the gills to assist with respiration problems.