Weird white patches on wrasse

Breakthecycle2 · Nov 27, 2016

I can't get a pic. About a month ago one of my wrasses in QT developed these white patches at the base of the dorsal fin, but on the body. I though maybe it was from hiding in the few rubble rock. That fish ended up dying. Never found out why. Now a month a later, I have three fish in QT. A supermale Carpenters wrasse, a small valentini puffer and a supermale Tono's fairy wrasse. The carpenter's now has the same patches. It isn't spots, but it almost seems like scales came off and are healing. I know without a pic, it's hard to determine. I've tried, but they are too fast.

melypr1985 · Nov 27, 2016

it's most likely a bacterial infection that has lingered in the QT after the wrasse's death and how now infected the carpenter's. Brooke is also a possibility but I would lean more toward the bacteria.

Humblefish · Nov 27, 2016

Is it cottony or more slimy looking?

Breakthecycle2 · Nov 27, 2016

Humblefish said:
Is it cottony or more slimy looking?

It's not Lymph. That much I know. Honestly, it looks like a healing scab.

Breakthecycle2 · Nov 27, 2016

melypr1985 said:
it's most likely a bacterial infection that has lingered in the QT after the wrasse's death and how now infected the carpenter's. Brooke is also a possibility but I would lean more toward the bacteria.

I don't think it's Brook. The skin isn't peeling off.

Breakthecycle2 · Nov 28, 2016

ANy other thoughts?

melypr1985 · Nov 28, 2016

Breakthecycle2 said:
ANy other thoughts?

melypr1985 said:
it's most likely a bacterial infection that has lingered in the QT after the wrasse's death and how now infected the carpenter's.

This ^^^

Breakthecycle2 · Nov 28, 2016

melypr1985 said:
This ^^^

How come the other two in QT don't have it?

4FordFamily · Nov 28, 2016

^^ They're better able to fight it off and perhaps no wounds to start it off strong.

Same way not everyone gets sick that's been in contact with one another.

melypr1985 · Nov 28, 2016

4FordFamily said:
^^ They're better able to fight it off and perhaps no wounds to start it off strong.

Same way not everyone gets sick that's been in contact with one another.

Exactly. Like when my son gets Strep-throat and I stay home with him taking care of him for a week. I didn't catch it this time, but did the time before. This time my immune system was able to fend it off. Same with the fish.

Humblefish · Nov 28, 2016

^^ I agree; a lingering bacterial infection is the most likely explanation without any photos to view.

It is probably a gram positive variant, which some fish can fend off via their natural immune system. Your 2 surviving fish have built up sufficient antibodies to counter the harmful bacterium, which the deceased fish were not able to do in time. This is when dosing antibiotics comes into play... to give the fish's immune system a boost until antibodies are produced.

It works the exact same way for fish as it does for humans.