Orchid Dottyback white patches/flashing

[bwomac44]

My Orchid Dottyback has some discolored white spots and has been flashing lately. Attached are some photos.

Thoughts? Bacterial infection?

This is in 29 gallon that has been running for a few months. Only other tank mate is a Flame Hawk who is looking healthy/acting normal.

The Dottyback is breathing and eating normal.

 

[blaxsun]

It could just be some minor scrapes from rocks (dottybacks love spelunking).

 

[bwomac44]

Both my Dottyback and Flame Hawkfish are now flashing.
I’m going to dose Prazipro, as I’m thinking the issue is flukes.

A 6 Line Wrasse was added last week but got bullied to death by the Dottyback. Maybe that wrasse brought flukes?

I’m not adding anymore fish, as the Flame Hawk and the Orchid are territorial enough for this tank..
Just gotta get them healthy.

 

[bwomac44]

@Jay Hemdal You seem to be a resident expert! What are your thoughts? Thanks!

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

@Jay Hemdal You seem to be a resident expert! What are your thoughts? Thanks!

Assuming there isn’t fighting going on, flukes would be a likely diagnosis. When you dose Prazipro, be sure to add good aeration to the tank, and dose it twice, 10 days apart to kill all life stages.
Jay

 

[bwomac44]

@Jay Hemdal
Is this sufficient aeration? Power head and filter on back.
Or should I add an air stone? Thanks

 

[bwomac44]

Added an air stone and dosing the recommended amount of Prazipro.
Hope all goes well

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Added an air stone and dosing the recommended amount of Prazipro.
Hope all goes well

I prefer an air stone to be sure to break the surface tension of the water - helps to drive off excess CO2.
Jay

 

[bwomac44]

So the Prazipro eliminated what must have been flukes, as the flashing against the rocks stopped. I did 2 treatments 8 days apart, no adverse effects on any tank inhabitants.

The damage to the Dottyback must have been from the Flamehawk. They get along now and the Dotty is all healed up