Is this Lymphocystis?

KayKaytn · Feb 17, 2019

Hoping someone can help me ID this. I noticed on my clownfish today. They have just completed a 40-day hospital tank stay and I transferred them back to the tank today. A few hours later, I noticed this below one of the fish's mouth. I followed the proper acclimation procedure. Is this Lymphocystis or did he somehow get injured when I moved him across? I netted them very quickly and there was no chasing around the tank. He is eating really well and swimming around normally.

Big G · Feb 17, 2019

Keep an eye on it. Probably a small injury or a bit of lympho from the QT experience. Feed high quality foods with vitamins like Selcon/Zoecon, etc. Let the fish's immune system take care of it if possible. But do you have some antibiotics on hand in case of need? Like kanaplex, Furan2, Sulfaplex, NFG? Always good to have some on hand as when they are needed it's usually time intensive to get them to the fish.

KayKaytn · Feb 17, 2019

Thank you, Gary. I will do that. The only antibiotic I have is API Melafix. It was all I could get today and bought it as a precaution. Not sure how effective it is as it seems to just be tea tree oil. I'll try and get one of the others that you mention. Are they reef safe? I want to avoid moving him back to the hospital tank to avoid the stress. But will if that's the only option. Appreciate your response!

Big G · Feb 17, 2019

KayKaytn said:
Thank you, Gary. I will do that. The only antibiotic I have is API Melafix. It was all I could get today and bought it as a precaution. Not sure how effective it is as it seems to just be tea tree oil. I'll try and get one of the others that you mention. Are they reef safe? I want to avoid moving him back to the hospital tank to avoid the stress. But will if that's the only option. Appreciate your response!

Great question. Darn few if any meds that are "reef safe" are any good at treating disease. The only one that I use is Ruby Reef Rally. You can use it in a reef tank, but you may lose feather dusters, inverts, etc. It generally does not bother corals or your bio system. But of course your mileage could vary. If I had to have just one med for use in a QT, it would probably be NFG powder, or the more generally available kanaplex or Furan2.