Powder Blue Bacterial Infection? Please help!

stacksoner · Jan 30, 2019

Hi R2R Fam,
I'm trying to help my favorite fish overcome what seems to be a bacterial infection that seemed to pop up out of nowhere.

His right side is completely normal, but the left pectoral fin area has a lot going on. I can't tell if it's an injury that got infected and don't want to misdiagnose the malady. I would really appreciate any help you can give me.

4FordFamily · Jan 30, 2019

Oh wow that is really something. I would remove the fish and treat in NFG ASAP. If you cannot source it quickly (within 24) I’d treat with kanaplex, furan 2, and metroplex for 14 days in a quarantine.

@Humblefish @HotRocks

Dmb092182 · Jan 30, 2019

Is he eating well still. You could try metro plus kaneplex and focus in food with other vitamins. Any signs of any other parasites as well

Big G · Jan 30, 2019

Is the white area near the eye raised and cottony or cauliflower like? Or is it smooth and filmy?

stacksoner · Jan 30, 2019

There's no difference with his appetite, thank goodness. His coloration is normal as well. I have Triple Sulfa, Kanaplax, Furan 2, Erthromycin, API Fungus Cure, and Prazipro on hand.

I took the photos with a orange filter on the camera and dont know how to make the pics look normal--apologies if the colors are way off

Dmb092182 · Jan 30, 2019

Do you qt all fish? There is a small white spot above but it could be sand or something stuck to him. If he is eating I have had success with fish having wounds with using a scoop of metro and kenaplex with 2 scoops of focus. Selcon, vitachem, zoecon. Mix it up and then refreeze it and then feed it daily

stacksoner · Jan 30, 2019

Big G said:
Is the white area near the eye raised and cottony or cauliflower like? Or is it smooth and filmy?

His eyes look smooth and filmy.

stacksoner · Jan 30, 2019

Dmb092182 said:
Do you qt all fish? There is a small white spot above but it could be sand or something stuck to him. If he is eating I have had success with fish having wounds with using a scoop of metro and kenaplex with 2 scoops of focus. Selcon, vitachem, zoecon. Mix it up and then refreeze it and then feed it daily

I have a reefer 170 (34 gallons) QT that I use for coral. This guy has been in my tank for about 1.5 years and was the last fish I added.

Big G · Jan 30, 2019

slewrock1 said:
His eyes look smooth and filmy.

Sorry I wasn't clear. Not the eye itself but the area between the left eye and the pectoral fin. That white area, in the picture looks like it is raised up from the skin. Is that area near the pectoral fin raised and cottony or cauliflower like?

stacksoner · Jan 30, 2019

Big G said:
Sorry I wasn't clear. Not the eye itself but the area between the left eye and the pectoral fin. That white area, in the picture looks like it is raised up from the skin. Is that area near the pectoral fin raised and cottony or cauliflower like?

It's not noticably inflammed or textured beyond the surrounding area of the puncture/gash wound.

Big G · Jan 30, 2019

slewrock1 said:
It's not noticably inflammed or textured beyond the surrounding area of the puncture/gash wound.

OK, gotta ya. I'd agree with @4FordFamily and dose NFG if you can. If not the trifecta as he posted Kanaplex + Furan2 + Metro covers a whole spectrum of possible bacteria. Beautiful fish. Best of luck. I'd work quickly. Sometimes these bacterial infections can go sideways very quickly.

stacksoner · Jan 30, 2019

Thank you all so much for your help and support here. I'm doing a small water change in my QT and will follow your advice closely. Updates to come. God, I care about this fish way more than I'd like to admit. Thank you all again.

stacksoner · Jan 31, 2019

Just wanted to post an update here. His entire demeanor changed after he went into QT. I came home from work to find him upside down in the corner of the tank. I had the skimmer running with the cup removede. I added an air stone to the QT display, dosed the neoplex, metronidazole, and furan, raised the temp from 78-80 degrees, and shut off the lights. He's on side now at the bottom of the tank and seems like he still has some fight in him. Any guidance or pointers is appreciated as always!

4FordFamily · Jan 31, 2019

slewrock1 said:
Just wanted to post an update here. His entire demeanor changed after he went into QT. I came home from work to find him upside down in the corner of the tank. I had the skimmer running with the cup removede. I added an air stone to the QT display, dosed the neoplex, metronidazole, and furan, raised the temp from 78-80 degrees, and shut off the lights. He's on side now at the bottom of the tank and seems like he still has some fight in him. Any guidance or pointers is appreciated as always!

Bacterial infections escalate quickly. Have you checked QT for ammonia?

I’m guessing it’s just the reaction to the infection. I’ve had infections completely wreck tanks of fish in 24-48 hours. Really sad, and that one is pretty nasty. NFG would help a bit more because the methelyn blue would provide some relief but to be honest when I saw that, I didn’t give the fish a chance in my head. I sincerely hope I am wrong. Sorry

stacksoner · Jan 31, 2019

4FordFamily said:
Bacterial infections escalate quickly. Have you checked QT for ammonia?

I’m guessing it’s just the reaction to the infection. I’ve had infections completely wreck tanks of fish in 24-48 hours. Really sad, and that one is pretty nasty. NFG would help a bit more because the methelyn blue would provide some relief but to be honest when I saw that, I didn’t give the fish a chance in my head. I sincerely hope I am wrong. Sorry

What is NFG??? I thought it was an acronym for "No F's Given"---like "no excuses or lollygagging, treat it with NFG ASAP"

ScooterV · Feb 1, 2019

NFG is Nitrofuracin Green. I doubt you'll find it local and would need to be ordered, which takes time

I know I've seen other sources posted which may have smaller amounts, but one source is:

https://store.nationalfishpharm.com/items/view/605/nitrofuracin-green

Sorry to see your fish like that though

A couple questions for the experts though. Temp was raised from 78-80, but wouldn't it be better left lower? Only two degrees, but doesn't it just increase metabolism and decrease oxygen capacity? Also, I've yet to ever own a PBT, waiting for one and will try only once I have a 100% sure parasite free tank, but when stressed to they act like hippo tangs where they will lay/hide upside down or play dead? Just hoping for the sake of this fish it may be part of the case

stacksoner · Feb 1, 2019

Unfortunately Peter Lemonjello didn't make it through the night. I am super bummed out as he was 1.5 years old and never had an issue before this. I wanted to inspect this most aggressive infection with my digital microscope, but I was unable to configure it w my new mac bc they don't have USB ports.

I wish I had more insight into what caused this and what it is.