Lyretail Anthias Scrape + White Marks?

[Ugin]

I've had these 2 Lyretail anthias for about 5 days now as part of a batch of fish that were prophylactically treated. The whole batch of fish have been eating 3-5 times per day and have appeared generally very healthy.

Two days ago I noticed the white marking and assumed it was a rock scrape. So far it appears to have worsened and now there is that central "cut"? plus white blotches around the body. On top of that, the fish is hiding now and breathing heavier.

I'm not sure what to do. Is this a bacterial infection caused by cuts on the rock?

 

[blaxsun]

Do you have a quarantine or hospital tank available? I have a similar pair of lyretails and I haven't observed any injuries to-date (it's the fairy anthias that tend to rip around the tank).

 

[Ugin]

Do you have a quarantine or hospital tank available? I have a similar pair of lyretails and I haven't observed any injuries to-date (it's the fairy anthias that tend to rip around the tank).

I do not.

 

[SeaworthyAquatics]

Difficult to say. I'd guess bacterial, second guess would be Uronema, but that is rare for anthias and sticks to mostly clowns, damsels and chromis. Need to catch if you can and separate from the others.

 

[blaxsun]

Difficult to say. I'd guess bacterial, second guess would be Uronema, but that is rare for anthias and sticks to mostly clowns, damsels and chromis. Need to catch if you can and separate from the others.

Bacterial would be my guess as well, but it could also be a scrape/injury as well. Most of the time scrapes will just heal on their own.

 

[Ugin]

Bacterial would be my guess as well, but it could also be a scrape/injury as well. Most of the time scrapes will just heal on their own.

Is there any medication i can soak food in for bacterial infection?

 

[blaxsun]

Is there any medication i can soak food in for bacterial infection?

I use garlic and aminos in my frozen food to help boost their immunity. I'm sure there is some medication you can use, but you'd have to read up on it (in Canada we don't have access to most medications).

 

[Ugin]

What about Melafix?

 

[Sharkbait19]

Difficult to say. I'd guess bacterial, second guess would be Uronema, but that is rare for anthias and sticks to mostly clowns, damsels and chromis. Need to catch if you can and separate from the others.

Anthias actually tend to be one of the more sensitive ones to uronema, while clowns are not so much.
Considering there isn’t much of a treatment for uro it’s not surprising that it would be missed in qt.

What about Melafix?

Melafix is super weak, not likely going to help.

 

[David M.]

This is exactly what my Lyretail looked like when getting beat up by a transitioning female, it unfortunately didn't make it. Not saying that's whats happening to yours, but I would keep an eye out for aggression.

 

[SeaworthyAquatics]

Anthias actually tend to be one of the more sensitive ones to uronema, while clowns are not so much.
Considering there isn’t much of a treatment for uro it’s not surprising that it would be missed in qt.

Melafix is super weak, not likely going to help.

Yeah, had it backwards, my bad lol. Humblefish has a good article about it if it is in fact uronema, like everything haha.

Uronema

Uronema marinum (updated Jan 24 2025) What You Need To Know: * Causes red sores most often seen on chromis damsels & anthias (see photos below). Angelfish, butterflies and other fish species are sometimes also affected. * Formalin can be used as a prophylaxis and to limit transmission of...

humble.fish

 

[Ugin]

@David M. Seems odd considering the other anthias is much larger than the smaller one. I suppose it's possible, but it seems unlikely? I'll keep an eye on it.

I had Melafix on hand for freshwater purposes, so I went ahead and dosed it. Even if it's weak, I'd take anything that helps.

I'm going to stop by my LFS this afternoon to pick up some Kanaplex + Focus. I'm hoping the Anthias is still eating by then.

 

[Ugin]

Update

I picked up Kanaplex + Focus, mixed with 2 cubes of the food he normally eats and put some in the tank. He's not even going for it, just resting on the rocks breathing hard. Jfc...

 

[Miami Reef]

Once you see the red gash the fish is a goner.

 

[Ugin]

Once you see the red gash the fish is a goner.

The spots are white. Are you referring to the physical gash in the center?

 

[Miami Reef]

The spots are white. Are you referring to the physical gash in the center?

Yes. There’s no known cure for that. Uronema already made its way into the fish and damaged its organs. Uronema can literally dissolve the brains of fish as well.

If this was me, I’d probably euthanize the fish. The only way you can treat uronema is before the physical symptoms appear, and even that is iffy if the uronema already is internal.

 

[Ugin]

Yes. There’s no known cure for that. Uronema already made its way into the fish and damaged its organs. Uronema can literally dissolve the brains of fish as well.

If this was me, I’d probably euthanize the fish. The only way you can treat uronema is before the physical symptoms appear, and even that is iffy if the uronema already is internal.

According to the link below, I don't think it's Uronema. It could be impossible to tell because the fish itself is red, but comparing my original picture in my first post to the one on HumbleFish's website, I'm not sure.

Uronema

Uronema marinum (updated Jan 24 2025) What You Need To Know: * Causes red sores most often seen on chromis damsels & anthias (see photos below). Angelfish, butterflies and other fish species are sometimes also affected. * Formalin can be used as a prophylaxis and to limit transmission of...

humble.fish

 

[Miami Reef]

According to the link below, I don't think it's Uronema. It could be impossible to tell because the fish itself is red, but comparing my original picture in my first post to the one on HumbleFish's website, I'm not sure.

Uronema

Uronema marinum (updated Jan 24 2025) What You Need To Know: * Causes red sores most often seen on chromis damsels & anthias (see photos below). Angelfish, butterflies and other fish species are sometimes also affected. * Formalin can be used as a prophylaxis and to limit transmission of...

humble.fish

IMO it’s easier to find an anthias with uronema than finding one clean. They almost all come with it. The supply chain is messed up.

Uronema causes a secondary bacterial infection every time. It’s a 2 in one combo.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Update

I picked up Kanaplex + Focus, mixed with 2 cubes of the food he normally eats and put some in the tank. He's not even going for it, just resting on the rocks breathing hard. Jfc...

Kanaplex is not the answer. It is post injury and healing , not bacterial infected hence the raw flesh appearance. A bath in Formalin would be a better treatment for 45 mins. Can be repeated daily.
Another option is a 90 minute bath in Ruby rally Pro. Ruby Reef is made from acriflavine, aminoacridine and formalin making it safe for fish and most coral
Is this fish eating ?
Have you increased aeration ?
What is breathing rate (rapid or normal ?)

 

[Miami Reef]

Kanaplex is not the answer. It is post injury and healing , not bacterial infected hence the raw flesh appearance. A bath in Formalin would be a better treatment for 45 mins. Can be repeated daily.
Another option is a 90 minute bath in Ruby rally Pro. Ruby Reef is made from acriflavine, aminoacridine and formalin making it safe for fish and most coral
Is this fish eating ?
Have you increased aeration ?
What is breathing rate (rapid or normal ?)

No. Do not give this fish a formalin bath with open sores! It will burn the sores and cause an insurmountable amount of pain!