Please help identify bacteria or injury??

[jon99]

I have a Kole tang in QT currently about a week and a half into a copper treatment (copper power at 1.71ppm)

Today I noticed a large “blotch” (for a better word) on the fish’s side. Fish is active and eating and acts normal. I did see it rubbing it’s side against the bottom of tank one time (as if it’s irritated). I can’t tell if it’s an injury or if it’s developing a bacterial infection. Please help identify.

 

[ngoodermuth]

That is definitely infection, I’d start a wide-spectrum antibiotic ASAP. Also, a 90-minute acriflavine bath would be helpful -ruby reef rally or API fungus cure both contain acriflavine.

You can run the antibiotics with the copper, but you may need to do another follow-up treatment after it’s completed. Copper is an immunosuppressant so makes treating infections a bit more difficult.

For the scratching, have you checked or treated for flukes yet?

 

[jon99]

 

[Frtdrmrose7]

I would do a 5 min FW dip to check for flukes. I guess I was a minute too late! Did you find any opaque sesame seed looking things?

 

[ngoodermuth]

Actually, just re-reading your post... a week and a half in copper, so 10 days?

Do you have access to a second QT? If so, I would transfer him out of copper (with the 90-minute bath in transit) and start the antibiotics in the second tank without the copper. That would give him the best chance of recovery.

 

[jon99]

That is definitely infection, I’d start a wide-spectrum antibiotic ASAP. Also, a 90-minute acriflavine bath would be helpful -ruby reef rally or API fungus cure both contain acriflavine.

You can run the antibiotics with the copper, but you may need to do another follow-up treatment after it’s completed. Copper is an immunosuppressant so makes treating infections a bit more difficult.

For the scratching, have you checked or treated for flukes yet?

Thank you for your reply!

Here is what I have on hand for bacteria/fungus:

Kanaplex, maracyn-Oxy, bifuran, furan2

Any suggestions which to start with?

 

[ngoodermuth]

Kanaplex + Furan-2 would be my choice

 

[jon99]

Since I don’t have acriflavin on hand, best course of action:

Move to new QT w/o copper and treat with kanaplex and furan2

Should I fresh water dip between the move to check for flukes as well?

 

[HotRocks]

Kanaplex + Furan-2 would be my choice

Agree with this^ and the bacterial infection diagnosis.

You are in good hands here my friend.

 

[jon99]

Agree with this^ and the bacterial infection diagnosis.

You are in good hands here my friend.

Thank you for the responses and the help!