What's wrong with my possum wrasse?

[Crested]

Hey everyone, I got this possum wrasse almost a week ago and since then I have kept him in my QT treating with copper and just observing him. I saw him last night and he was totally fine and this morning I noticed something on his head. It looks kind of like he scratched it on a piece of rock rubble (I needed some more surface area for bacteria so I put a few small pieces in). Anyone have any idea what it is?

 

[BestMomEver]

It’s hard for me to tell. My eyes are dreadful. But it looks like an abrasion. Are any other fish in with him?

 

[ngoodermuth]

Hard to tell from the photo, but it looks like it might be the start of a bacterial infection... if you can get a few more photos might be helpful.

Does it look like the skin itself is discolored?

Like this maybe:

 

[Crested]

It’s hard for me to tell. My eyes are dreadful. But it looks like an abrasion. Are any other fish in with him?

Yeah just a yellow watchman goby, they've been sharing the same area since I got him and haven't seen any signs of aggression, but could have missed it.

 

[Crested]

Hard to tell from the photo, but it looks like it might be the start of a bacterial infection... if you can get a few more photos might be helpful.

Does it look like the skin itself is discolored?

Like this maybe:

He's still pretty elusive but I'll definitely try to get some more. It kind of looks like that but not as dramatic. I can still see his pattern on it

 

[HotRocks]

It's probably aggression damage. If not it could be the start of an infection. Keep an eye on it, see if it turns red at all.

If it worsens or turns red you may need to use antibiotics.

An acriflavine more methalyne blue bath would be good for the fish to help prevent infection if it is indeed aggression damage.

 

[Crested]

It's probably aggression damage. If not it could be the start of an infection. Keep an eye on it, see if it turns red at all.

If it worsens or turns red you may need to use antibiotics.

An acriflavine more methalyne blue bath would be good for the fish to help prevent infection if it is indeed aggression damage.

Ok, I planned the move the YWG into the DT sometime this weekend. If it is a bacterial infection, is it possible he could get it too? Should I hold off and treat them together? Also, is there any widespread antibiotics that I can use along along with my copper treatment?

 

[Crested]

Do you think it could be HLLE? I've fallen behind on water tests lately so I'll be doing every test I have when I get home, but I saw a post about HLLE and it got me thinking.

 

[Frtdrmrose7]

Do you think it could be HLLE? I've fallen behind on water tests lately so I'll be doing every test I have when I get home, but I saw a post about HLLE and it got me thinking.

Probably not as HLLE usually follows the lateral line onto the sides of the head first. Severe cases can wind up encompassing the head but it usually doesn’t start there.

 

[Crested]

I checked him out today and it looks better than yesterday. I can still see the outline but it's not as light and faded. Probably just got scratched up a little. Thanks guys