Royal Gramma Diagnosis Needed

[Sebastiancrab]

My new royal gramma has been in Cupramine for a couple of weeks along with a new damsel who I let out of a baby cage recently. Several days ago he was breathing a bit heavy with no other symptoms. I switched to Kanaplex thinking he might have a bacterial infection. A white area then appeared on his side, so I gave him a 10 minute saltwater dip in Hydroplex and changed the hospital tank to Hydroplex. This is how he looked early this morning. The white area has improved and no heavy breathing now. What do you think is going on? Thank you! @JayHemdal

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

My new royal gramma has been in Cupramine for a couple of weeks along with a new damsel who I let out of a baby cage recently. Several days ago he was breathing a bit heavy with no other symptoms. I switched to Kanaplex thinking he might have a bacterial infection. A white area then appeared on his side, so I gave him a 10 minute saltwater dip in Hydroplex and changed the hospital tank to Hydroplex. This is how he looked early this morning. The white area has improved and no heavy breathing now. What do you think is going on? Thank you! @JayHemdal

What is the species/size of the damsel? It could have tagged it when you weren't looking.

Grammas often suffer from gill flukes, but that would related to the fast breathing (which is better) and not white spot.

If the white spot is an injury (missing scales) it can take weeks to grow back. If the fish is eating well, not breathing fast, and the spot isn't growing larger, I would be inclined to just wait and see.

Jay

 

[Sebastiancrab]

What is the species/size of the damsel? It could have tagged it when you weren't looking.

Grammas often suffer from gill flukes, but that would related to the fast breathing (which is better) and not white spot.

If the white spot is an injury (missing scales) it can take weeks to grow back. If the fish is eating well, not breathing fast, and the spot isn't growing larger, I would be inclined to just wait and see.

Jay

It's a small blue sapphire damsel and he was in the hospital tank with 2 clowns for a month being treated from my battle with flukes and brooklynella. Then I added the new royal gramma a little over two weeks ago. At 45 days, I placed the clowns back in the DT. At that time I let the damsel out of the baby cage in the hospital tank with the gramma. Then this issue appeared.

I am inclined to think you are right. The damsel took a swipe at the gramma. There hasn't been any flashing. He has been eating well and is breathing fine now. It may have morphed into a bacterial infection that the meds have addressed. I just now moved the damsel back into the baby cage. I have Kanaplex and Hydroplex and will see how things ago. Thank you!