Possible Parasite ID?

diaz3963 · Jul 1, 2023

Hi All, purchased a group of 5 quarantined fire fish from an online retailer. One of them has what looks like a parasite or growth right behind his right fin.

Is anyone able to ID this? What can I do to help and is this contagious to the other fish?

75g mix reef tank
Salinity 1.025
Ammonia and Nitrites 0
Nitrates 10

vetteguy53081 · Jul 1, 2023

diaz3963 said:
Hi All, purchased a group of 5 quarantined fire fish from an online retailer. One of them has what looks like a parasite right behind his right fin.

Is anyone able to confirm this? What can I do to help and is this contagious to the other fish?

75g mix reef tank
Salinity 1.025
Ammonia and Nitrites 0
Nitrates 10

Mot a parasite but either a sting or injury. It should heal on its own and keep on eye on it to assure its headed in the direction of fading away and healing. It it gets worse, you will have to treat in separate tank with seachem Kanaplex

diaz3963 · Jul 1, 2023

Thanks for the reply, but it looks more like a growth, with something stringy coming out of it. Would a sting cause this? I took some additional pictures, hope they help.

MnFish1 · Jul 1, 2023

vetteguy53081 said:
Mot a parasite but either a sting or injury. It should heal on its own and keep on eye on it to assure its headed in the direction of fading away and healing. It it gets worse, you will have to treat in separate tank with seachem Kanaplex

Do you think it almost looks like a copepod? I mean - that or an injury - or a 'cancer'. I do not think this fish should have been shipped/sold. IMHO - its not contagious

vetteguy53081 · Jul 1, 2023

MnFish1 said:
Do you think it almost looks like a copepod? I mean - that or an injury - or a 'cancer'. I do not think this fish should have been shipped/sold. IMHO - its not contagious

I just hopped onto PC screen and man,. . . . . sure looks like a parasitic copepod

vetteguy53081 · Jul 1, 2023

diaz3963 said:
Thanks for the reply, but it looks more like a growth, with something stringy coming out of it. Would a sting cause this? I took some additional pictures, hope they help.

It is indeed a copepod and a 5 min freshwater dip in temperature the same as display tank should force it to dislodge. If not, PraziPro bath will accomplish the same.

diaz3963 · Jul 1, 2023

vetteguy53081 said:
It is indeed a copepod and a 5 min freshwater dip in temperature the same as display tank should force it to dislodge. If not, PraziPro bath will accomplish the same.

Thank you both. Will start to treat asap.

Is it too much stress to do the Prazipro bath right after the dip? Or should I give it a day in between?

MnFish1 · Jul 1, 2023

diaz3963 said:
Thank you both. Will start to treat asap.

Is it too much stress to do the Prazipro bath right after the dip? Or should I give it a day in between?

you're good

MnFish1 · Jul 1, 2023

diaz3963 said:
Thank you both. Will start to treat asap.

Is it too much stress to do the Prazipro bath right after the dip? Or should I give it a day in between?

BTW - If it does NOT go away after the dip please let us know.

diaz3963 · Jul 1, 2023

MnFish1 said:
BTW - If it does NOT go away after the dip please let us know.

Just finished the FW dip, it did not dislodge.

Apologies, having a hard time finding the procedure/dosage for a Prazipro bath, do you have a link you can share? Thank you again

MnFish1 · Jul 1, 2023

diaz3963 said:
Just finished the FW dip, it did not dislodge.

Apologies, having a hard time finding the procedure/dosage for a Prazipro bath, do you have a link you can share? Thank you again

AFAIK - there is no 'prazipro bath' - it's a treatment - usually a dose given week one and then 7 -8 days later. Let's see if @Jay Hemdal has any ideas. PS - though we often say 'it's hard to tell what something is out of water - this might be an exception - i.e. a close up picture.

MnFish1 · Jul 1, 2023

diaz3963 said:
Just finished the FW dip, it did not dislodge.

Apologies, having a hard time finding the procedure/dosage for a Prazipro bath, do you have a link you can share? Thank you again

PS - if the fish is stressed - do not take it out for a picture. Try to get a closeup

diaz3963 · Jul 1, 2023

He layed on his side for a few seconds after the FW dip. I hope this helps.

MnFish1 · Jul 1, 2023

I would still say a copepod or something like that - OR - a cancer - OR an abscess sort of infection.

vetteguy53081 · Jul 1, 2023

diaz3963 said:
Just finished the FW dip, it did not dislodge.

Apologies, having a hard time finding the procedure/dosage for a Prazipro bath, do you have a link you can share? Thank you again

5mg for 90 minutes with heavy aeration

diaz3963 · Jul 1, 2023

vetteguy53081 said:
5mg for 90 minutes with heavy aeration

Thank you, is there a specific amount of saltwater that needs to be taken into account to obtain a certain concentration? Is 1 gal with 5mg of Prazipro okay?

vetteguy53081 · Jul 1, 2023

diaz3963 said:
Thank you, is there a specific amount of saltwater that needs to be taken into account to obtain a certain concentration? Is 1 gal with 5mg of Prazipro okay?

5ml per liter. One liter is a quarter gallon- safe bet 18ml per gal