Linespot Flasher Wrasse Lost Dorsal Filaments

[Rython]

Two days ago I began quarantining a Linespot Flasher Wrasse, Midas Blenny and a Blue/Green Chromis. My QT is a 10g tank with a small powerhead and heater. I have 3 of each and I usually do TTM and Prazi on all fish.

Yesterday they all started eating and the Wrasse and Chromis started swimming around.

This morning I dosed prazipro prophylactically. Shortly after that I noticed the wrasse had damage on his dorsal fin. It looks like the two largest filaments are stripped of skin. There are red filaments on the bottom of the tank. Aggression is a possibility since I saw the blenny bite the wrasse once yesterday. It wasn't particularly savage though and didn't do any damage. That was the only aggression I saw all day of watching them periodically (QT tank is in my office).

I will freely admit i'm not the greatest at disease diagnosis, but based on the research I have done so far, i'm guessing flukes or bacterial infection? Aggression seems unlikely to me because the damage is on top and the Blenny would be coming from below. Plus it would have happened at night. He was fine at lights out. Can flukes or bacteria take a dorsal fin filament from healthy looking to stripped in 12 hours? Would the filament skin be intact and sitting on the bottom of the tank after flukes or bacteria?

I'm also wondering if I should treat for bacterial infection now. I have Metroplex and Furan-2 on hand. Should I go get Kanaplex as well? Can I dose the antibiotics while Prazipro is in the water? Should I wait 24 hours and then dose the antibiotics? I have 2 days before the next tank transfer. Should I just wait until then?

I really like this wrasse and don't want to lose him.

@melypr1985 @Humblefish

Thanks for any advice,
Chance

 

[Rython]

Actually I think it might be aggression. I've seen the Blenny chase him several times this morning.

My new plan is to separate them. I'm going to set up another tank for just the wrasse. I don't want to run copper on him so i'm going to use the 3rd tank for TTM for the wrasse, but that means I can't TTM the other two fish. So I guess i'll attempt a cupramine treatment on them. First time...makes me nervous.

But the question remains, how should I treat the wrasse. He'll be in clean water. Should I treat him with antibiotics, or just wait and see for a while? Maybe run Paraguard for the malachite green? Will that fin heal back to the way it was?

 

[deedubz]

Is there any chance you can get pics?

Sounds like an injury from the blenny to me. Might not be a terrible idea to treat, though a pic might help us determine whether or not just keeping an eye on it may be a more practical move for now.

Does your lfs carry acriflavine, specifically Ruby Reef Rally?
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/acriflavine.282887/

Edit- I just read that you're moving to a new qt. I'd definitely recommend a RRR bath en route to new qt

 

[deedubz]

I'd also recommend observing the blenny and chromis closely too. If they have any parasites the wrasse will too. If you end up needing to treat the wrasse with copper I'd HIGHLY recommend using chelated, copper power being my first choice.

BRS now offers the Hanna high range copper checker. The thing is an, IMO, absolute game changer.

 

[Rython]

I just noticed there's some damage on the blenny's dorsal fin too. I'll try to get some photos.

 

[Big G]

Blenny's can be real jerks. Especially in a QT. Had to put an egg crate divider in my last QT to keep my Starry Blenny from beating the snot out of my pink watchman goby. They are fine now in the big tank. But man it was relentless. Tugging on the egg crate trying to get at the goby.

 

[deedubz]

Blenny's can be real jerks. Especially in a QT. Had to put an egg crate divider in my last QT to keep my Starry Blenny from beating the snot out of my pink watchman goby. They are fine now in the big tank. But man it was relentless. Tugging on the egg crate trying to get at the goby.

My bicolor was a certifiable sociopath. The thing nipped me many-a-times and constantly went after the clowns. My sailfin, however, is very docile. Pork chop ugly but an awesome fish

 

[Rython]

I'm quarantining the blenny for my nephew's 100g tank. The wrasse will stay with me. But my nephew has a Carpenter's flasher wrasse, so i'm hoping he'll calm down once he's in a bigger system. Sounds like it worked out that way for @Big G . Maybe making some egg crate dividers would be easier than running separate quarantine tanks.

I was dumb and didn't clean the glass before taking photos, but here's some shots of the damage. Now that i've cleaned it they are all hiding.

Man I hope those filaments will grow back.

 

[Rython]

BRS now offers the Hanna high range copper checker. The thing is an, IMO, absolute game changer.

Yeah I saw that. It's on my list for sure. I have an API test kit but copper treatment requires such precision that I think that hanna checker is a must have.

 

[deedubz]

I'd still recommend a bath in RRR if you can find it/order it. It can only help. If this does turn into a bacterial infection I'd also recommend doing the trifecta.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/dosing-the-trifecta.386582/

I'd definitely try the barrier to keep those two seperated. I'd be inclined to let the chromis stay with the wrasse... My chromis have all had a healthy fear of my wrasses.

As far as the filament goes, I'd imagine it should, though I can't say with any certainty. My flame and rhomboid wrasses were harassed relentlessly by a couple clowns in qt, who took the liberty of biting large chunks out fins for me, and they grew back/are currently growing back fine.

 

[deedubz]

When were you planning on doing the first transfer? I'd do the bath en route to the new qt.

 

[Rython]

First transfer is Sunday AM. I'll call around and see if I can find some RRR and also some Kanaplex incase I need to do the trifecta.

 

[evolved]

Somebody chomped on them...

They'll grow back, as they are a soft ray (regeneratable). Don't worry about them missing - it happens. Now as for the aggressor...