What's wrong with my Longnose Hawkfish?

[Slocke]

My longnose has always been a picky eater but today wasn't even eating what it usually eats. I noticed it had something on its lower jaw and wasn't closing its mouth. Its behavior otherwise is completely normal.

What's wrong with it and can I do anything?

 

[Sharkbait19]

#fishmedic
Looks like it got a bacterial infection. Treating (ideally in a separate hospital tank) with maracyn or kanaplex can help.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

My longnose has always been a picky eater but today wasn't even eating what it usually eats. I noticed it had something on its lower jaw and wasn't closing its mouth. Its behavior otherwise is completely normal.

What's wrong with it and can I do anything?

That looks like an injury with a secondary bacterial infection. That is very difficult to treat, as the fish won't feel like eating during the treatment, but it needs food energy to build back its damaged tissues.

The only treatment I see would be to move the fish to a treatment tank and dose with a broad spectrum, gram negative antibiotic, such as Neoplex.

Jay

 

[SlugSnorter]

#fishmedic
Looks like it got a bacterial infection. Treating (ideally in a separate hospital tank) with maracyn or kanaplex can help.

+1 to this maybe neoplex though

 

[Slocke]

Darn,
Thanks for the replies.
I'll see what I can do.

Second fish I've made my profile picture, the first died of a neurological disease. I don't believe in curses or bad luck but maybe I need to stop making fish my profile.

 

[SlugSnorter]

Darn,
Thanks for the replies.
I'll see what I can do.

Second fish I've made my profile picture, the first died of a neurological disease. I don't believe in curses or bad luck but maybe I need to stop making fish my profile.

params and tank age? something could be off.

 

[Slocke]

about 5 months though the rock is much older

1.025
8.0 Alk
Nitrate 5-10
Phosphate about 1 (could be lower just an estimate as I don't have a good test and I've just started putting in lowering measures)

This would only be my second issue after my Naoko which appeared to die from that neurological wrasse disease.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Agree, Fran negative bacterial from injury . Kanaplex by seachem my choice of treatment.
Eating will be hit or miss

 

[Slocke]

So my plan is
-overnight Neoplex
-buy a small cheap tank from PetSmart (with heater and overflow)
-Add water and some rocks from display tank
-Medicate new tank with fish

Anything else?
Is a 5 gal enough or 10?

I was planning on setting up a quarantine tank anyway so even if this doesn't work its probably worth it.

 

[Sharkbait19]

I’d go for the 10. The footprint is pretty similar for placement, but it means a whole lot more to the fish (especially since you can use it for future fish which have a greater space requirement than the hawk).

 

[Slocke]

Thanks everyone!

 

[Slocke]

Update:
It ate at least 3 brine shrimp. It’s definitely not eating naturally but it is managing it. Still going to treat it of course but with it eating I’m feeling more positive of a recovery.