Need Help sick fish

Fish man · Apr 29, 2021

I've had this Copperband for 3 years, came home today and saw this. Respiration is also labored. Tank is not aggressive so no one has been harassing it. I've never seen anything like this before, don't know where to start. Water parameters are all good. Any help would be appreciated.

CMMorgan · Apr 29, 2021

Fish man said:
I've had this Copperband for 3 years, came home today and saw this. Respiration is also labored. Tank is not aggressive so no one has been harassing it. I've never seen anything like this before, don't know where to start. Water parameters are all good. Any help would be appreciated.

@Jay Hemdal #reefsquad
I can't answer this for you but let's call in the calvary.

NJDragonet · Apr 29, 2021

Wow this is pretty rare from the looks of it I think its uronema I have never seen this on butterflies they usually come up on Chormis, Wrasses, and Damsel. There is also a chance it could be something bacterial. Guessing its uronema there really is not a cure for it. @Jay Hemdal could uronema spawn on butterflies?

nereefpat · Apr 29, 2021

It looks like damage and a bacterial infection to me (Uronema marinum is a bacteria). The labored breathing rate makes me nervous. Any chance you could count the rate in terms of breaths per minute?

Any new additions?

vetteguy53081 · Apr 29, 2021

Quite a good bacterial infection going here. Bacterial Infections can be caused by either Gram‐positive or Gram-negative bacteria. Gram-negative infections are typically more virulent, and most common in most marine fish. They are also secondary to a preexisting parasitic or worm infestation. Poor water quality, open wounds and nutritional deficiency (which lowers the natural immune system) are all possible contributing factors of infection.
Certain factors make a fish more susceptible to infection. First, a cut or open wound is usually required for infection to set in. Even tiny bite marks left by feeding parasite trophonts can get infected. Poor water quality is also usually a key ingredient which increases the odds of a bacterial infection. Also, anything that lowers the fish’s overall immune system makes infection more likely.
This fish will unfortunately require QT and immediate treatment. Due to severity, I would recommend Furan-2 + Seachem Kanaplex + Metroplex (metronidazole) – Can be used separately, but most effective when all 3 are combined together. Furan-2 + Kanaplex should be dosed at the same time for maximum effectiveness.
Note that for this type of redness, you CAN double the dosage in a 30 minute bath treatment. ** Aerate the bath for at least 30 minutes prior and maintain aeration + temperature throughout. **
INCREASE OXYGEN WITH USE OF AN AIR PUMP/AIR STONE COMBINATION