Lymphocytosis question

saltyhog · Dec 12, 2015

I have three fish in QT. They have completed TTM and now are in my 29 gallon cycled QT. They are two wrasses (C. jordani and C. cf. lanceolatus) and a juvie Atlantic Blue tang. The Flame Wrasse has what looks like classic lymphocytosis. Three cotton ball looking nodules, one on each pectoral fin and on on the caudal portion of the dorsal fin. Fish eats like a pig and is the dominant of the three.

The fish have completed TTM and 3 rounds of Prazipro and have been in QT 5 weeks total. Ordinarily I would move them to the DT in a couple of weeks if they continue to do well. My question is what should I do? Should I keep all 3 in QT till the lymphocytosis is resolved? Is he a threat to his tankmates in QT and will he be if he is the DT.

redfishbluefish · Dec 12, 2015

My understanding it that lympho is viral and truly never "cured". The fish just lives with it. The best you can do is strengthen the immunity of the fish by feeding enriched foods.

melypr1985 · Dec 12, 2015

Lympo is rarely fatal to fish. It's like herpes in humans. It's a virus carried by many fish. Vitamins, good quality food and water and wait it out. As long as it doesn't interfere with the fish's gills or ability to eat it should be fine.

redfishbluefish · Dec 12, 2015

Here is Humblefish's thing:

Lymphocystis:

Symptoms - Lymphocystis appears as a white or beige colored cauliflower-like growth that usually starts on the fins and spines and sometimes spreads to the body. Initially it may be small (looks like ich), and then grows in size (which is how you know it’s not ich). Lympho is a virus that many fish carry for life. Fortunately, it is rarely fatal or even harmful to the fish, and symptoms will come and go.

Treatment options - No known cure or treatment exists. However, feeding vitamin-enriched foods and maintaining pristine water conditions may expedite the “going away” process.

Humblefish · Dec 12, 2015

^^ Agree with all of the above. If you are certain it is only Lympho, I would just add the fish to the DT. It is so widespread that you probably already have a fish carrying the virus inside his body that's just never showed symptoms.

More detailed info about Lymphocystis: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fa181

saltyhog · Dec 12, 2015

I'll try to get some pictures to verify the diagnosis but it looks pretty text book to me. Much larger than Ich and only on the three fins.
I have a pretty good investment in that trio, well the two wrasses any way. Thing is I have even more invested both monitarily and time/sweat/tears in my DT. Just want to do the right thing for the established and new fish.

I'm positive it isn't Ich. Can't imagine it's flukes after 3 rounds of Prazi (normal poo and borderline obese). Any other specific diseases that look similar I should worry about? I'm thinking I will continue to watch them in QT for severl more weeks. They seem very content and the tank is well cycled and certainly able to support them safely indefinitely.

Humblefish · Dec 12, 2015

saltyhog said:
Any other specific diseases that look similar I should worry about? I'm thinking I will continue to watch them in QT for severl more weeks.

Sometimes a bacterial infection can look similar to Lympho, but it usually then spreads onto the body pretty quick. If you can take some pics, that would be great to help confirm diagnosis. You can try soaking their fish food in Selcon, Zoecon and/or Vita-chem to help clear visible symptoms up. But obviously the virus will still be present inside the body and symptoms could return at any time.

No harm in continuing to observe in QT. Better safe than sorry. You have a beautiful tank, and I know all those gorgeous fish appreciate you taking every precaution to ensure their long-term survival. I know I sure do.

saltyhog · Dec 13, 2015

Thanks Bobby! The copperband is my favorite fish which is a lot coming from a wrasse freak. I feed him by hand every day...when I can keep the yellow flanked wrasse from swimming in my hand!

The spots have gotten a little smaller over the last couple of days. I'll try to get some pictures tomorrow.

Humblefish · Dec 13, 2015

saltyhog said:
Thanks Bobby! The copperband is my favorite fish which is a lot coming from a wrasse freak. I feed him by hand every day...when I can keep the yellow flanked wrasse from swimming in my hand!

Yes, they are both special fish. I had been stressing about what to do with them, and you don't know how relieved I am that you got 'em. I told my wife as we were driving away that it felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders because I knew I had found them a great home with you.

saltyhog · Dec 13, 2015

OK. I apologize in advance for the poor pictures. Photography is not one of my talents. Because it's on his pectoral fins it's tough because they are never still on a fish that swims primarily with the pectorals.

saltyhog · Dec 13, 2015

May be able to see it better on this video. They are getting smaller every day. The one on the dorsal fin is almost gone the other two are much smaller than they were.