Red Sea Regal Angel, Injury?

Terry4505 · Mar 1, 2017

I picked up a beautiful, yellow belly Red Sea Regal angelfish a little over a week ago. She is currently acclimation in my sump and gorging herself on clams on a half she'll.

She has what appears to be a wound or an infection on her right side. I tried to get pictures. Any help would be appreciated.

wkscott · Mar 1, 2017

It looks like an abrasion with a bacterial infection setting in. Did you quarantine the fish or put it directly into the sump? @melypr1985

ebushrow · Mar 1, 2017

#humblefish Too

Maritimer · Mar 1, 2017

Did she have this when she arrived? I'm seeing the way the black line wobbles into the injury, and wondering how long it's been there . . .

It certainly does look like a spot where bacteria could get an easy toe-hold - and if you're going to treat with antibiotics, you'll want to do it in a quarantine tank, rather than your sump.

~Bruce

ebushrow · Mar 1, 2017

Maritimer said:
Did she have this when she arrived? I'm seeing the way the black line wobbles into the injury, and wondering how long it's been there . . .

It certainly does look like a spot where bacteria could get an easy toe-hold - and if you're going to treat with antibiotics, you'll want to do it in a quarantine tank, rather than your sump.

~Bruce

Good catch Bruce! I assumed it was just missing scales....does look like it has been there awhile with the line wobbling.

Terry4505 · Mar 1, 2017

I noticed a bump the first day or so, but it's gotten worse.

She went straight into the sump, but the QT tank is on its way up to temp. What should I treat with if it's bacterial?

Terry4505 · Mar 1, 2017

It bumps out, which is what is causing the line to wobble

Maritimer · Mar 1, 2017

I'm not a bacterial pro, but have listened to those who are (@Humblefish & @melypr1985) often enough to know that their go-tos seem to be Kanaplex & Furan-2 - between them, they're a pretty broad-spectrum antibiotic, and they work well together. You'd be looking at a ten-day course of treatment, so try to have that amount on hand - or order it, if you don't.

~Bruce

stevo01 · Mar 1, 2017

Maritimer said:
I'm not a bacterial pro, but have listened to those who are (@Humblefish & @melypr1985) often enough to know that their go-tos seem to be Kanaplex & Furan-2 - between them, they're a pretty broad-spectrum antibiotic, and they work well together. You'd be looking at a ten-day course of treatment, so try to have that amount on hand - or order it, if you don't.

~Bruce

+1 , maybe metroplex too. How is the angel behaving?

melypr1985 · Mar 1, 2017

Maritimer said:
I'm not a bacterial pro, but have listened to those who are (@Humblefish & @melypr1985) often enough to know that their go-tos seem to be Kanaplex & Furan-2 - between them, they're a pretty broad-spectrum antibiotic, and they work well together. You'd be looking at a ten-day course of treatment, so try to have that amount on hand - or order it, if you don't.

~Bruce

You'd be right Bruce! That does look like an infection... possibly caused by an injury on the side there. It's steadily getting worse, so treatment will be needed. If left alone, it could be a slow death for her. You'll want to put her back in QT to treat with the antibiotics. You can do either one or both together.... your choice.

Terry4505 · Mar 1, 2017

Thanks for the feedback guys.

She is shy, but eating clams daily.

Look online for the antibiotics?

Maritimer · Mar 1, 2017

If you can't find them locally ... like, this evening or tomorrow, then yes - look online. The infection will get worse, the longer it's allowed to go unchecked.

~Bruce

melypr1985 · Mar 1, 2017

Terry4505 said:
Look online for the antibiotics?

If you can't find them at you LFS, then yes. You can find them on amazon pretty easily.

Humblefish · Mar 1, 2017

I agree with Kanaplex + Furan-2 + Metroplex combo for this situation.

However, this is another excellent option, especially for treating bacterial infections in butterflies & angels: http://store.nationalfishpharm.com/Nitrofuracin-Green-59584.Item.html

Salty1962 · Mar 1, 2017

Just a FYI, Regals are naturally very shy fish. Even when acclimated, they stay hid most of the time

Good luck with the recovery, they are beautiful fish. Keeping it well fed is a must to keep it healthy.

Sistawolf · Mar 2, 2017

Did you buy her and put her right into your sump?

Terry4505 · Mar 3, 2017

She went right into the sump, the QT was not up to temp when I brought her home.

She is in QT with her first round of Furan-2 now. Other antibiotics will be here today. She is still eating clams like a pig and behaving normally.

She does have what looks like lymphocytes on her fins. Is it safe to mix any other medications? I have Prazipro and Copper Power on hand. And now that she is out of the sump, I can medicate as needed.

Maritimer · Mar 3, 2017

Lymphocystis is viral, so medications won't help much ... good water and good food, and let it run its course - kind of like chicken pox or cold sores in humans.

If you can, a photo probably would help confirm that it's lymphocystis and not something else.

~Bruce

Sistawolf · Mar 3, 2017

Terry4505 said:
She went right into the sump, the QT was not up to temp when I brought her home.

She is in QT with her first round of Furan-2 now. Other antibiotics will be here today. She is still eating clams like a pig and behaving normally.

She does have what looks like lymphocytes on her fins. Is it safe to mix any other medications? I have Prazipro and Copper Power on hand. And now that she is out of the sump, I can medicate as needed.

I would follow @Humblefish and @melypr1985 advise to a T.. and for future fish.. I would not ever add any new fish to your sump.. if this were ich or velvet you would be in trouble.. your whole tank would need to be put in a QT and your main would have to run fallow (fishless) for 72 days..

So to answer your question. You can add more meds than one.. see the pros advise on how to treat

@Maritimer also knows a lot.. I would get the pros advise on what they think it is.. but start dosing the meds regardless.. I don't believe copper will be needed..

Terry4505 · Mar 4, 2017

Thanks for all of the feedback, I really appreciate it.

She continues to do well in QT. She is eating clams daily (although nothing else, yet) and behaving normally.

I am currently doing the QT with Furan-2 Metroplex and Kanaplalex and so far, so good. The side wound hasn't gotten any worse (that I can tell)

Here are the best pics I could snap of whatever is on her fins. The water is cloudy from the antibiotics: