White Mouth on Kole Tang

DSmithZ28 · Feb 15, 2019

I have had this guy in QT for about 6 weeks and can not get him healed up. Did observation for 2 weeks and got him used to QT life and he is eating great. Good weight and color. Dosed Prazi (normal procedure) and was feeding Metroplex/focus for some other fish that had worms. He was getting it as a preventative. No luck after 4 weeks and then I started API Triple Sulfa. One complete treatment per the instructions and still no signs of healing. Not sure what to do next. Will try a second treatment after a water change. Has anyone had luck curing white mouth?

EmdeReef · Feb 15, 2019

Abx are pretty slow to work so yes I would repeat triple sulfa.

Can you post a better pic?

I wonder if perhaps the white mouth is due to an injury? Koles will work very hard to scrape algae

ngoodermuth · Feb 15, 2019

EmdeReef said:
I wonder if perhaps the white mouth is due to an injury? Koles will work very hard to scrape algae

This. It might not necessarily be “infected”, just inflamed. My lineatus had a mouth injury from shipping, it’s not gotten any worse but it swelled pretty significantly over the first several weeks. It’s finally starting to get better now, and I haven’t used any antibiotics...just gave it time. If it’s red or looks like there is tissue receding that is more alarming.

You could try just plain pharmaceutical grade epsom salt for the swelling.

DSmithZ28 · Feb 15, 2019

I spent an hour trying to get him to cooperate and give me a picture. He is used to me being in the fish room now and swims around but I can't get him to stay still long enough for my iphone to grab a picture. He came in with what look like a mouth injury and it wasn't that bad. It progressed to this after a week. The mouth doesn't look inflamed at all it is just white and has some loose skin or scales(?) around the mouth area. There would be no way for me to get a pic that close unless I get him out of the water and hold him still. I really don't want to do that unless absolutely necessary.

ngoodermuth · Feb 15, 2019

Maybe try a video? You could try to run a second course of the TS or maybe even switch to something with a bit broader-range like kanaplex+metroplex+furan-2 for 10 days; or NFG powder.

Also, a 90-minute acriflavine bath (like ruby reef rally) might help you get a leg-up if you do believe you’re dealing with a stubborn infection.

DSmithZ28 · Feb 15, 2019

ngoodermuth said:
Maybe try a video? You could try to run a second course of the TS or maybe even switch to something with a bit broader-range like kanaplex+metroplex+furan-2 for 10 days; or NFG powder.

Also, a 90-minute acriflavine bath (like ruby reef rally) might help you get a leg-up if you do believe you’re dealing with a stubborn infection.

I ordered some Kanaplex and have been dosing the Metro/Focus to him. I also stock Ruby Reef Rally and could try a bath as well. He is really a cool fish and healthy otherwise and I'm trying to keep his treatment as non evasive as possible. But it is looking like I am running out of options for sure to try to cure him.

DSmithZ28 · Feb 20, 2019

Update the Kole Tang is not doing well. Did a large water change after running the triple sulfa and waited a few days and started Furan-2. Turned the water yellow as I expected but on day three after 2 doses the tang is very lethargic and not eating nori which he loves. Mouth looks even worse now. Should run carbon and water change or finish the doses and see what happens? Got some better pics and video

DSmithZ28 · Feb 20, 2019

Frtdrmrose7 · Feb 20, 2019

I would give him a RRR bath and I would finish a course of antibiotics.

ngoodermuth · Feb 20, 2019

Frtdrmrose7 said:
I would give him a RRR bath and I would finish a course of antibiotics.

^^ This, and have you received the kanaplex yet? I would add in the kanaplex and metroplex (to the water column). The infection is getting ahead of him :/

DSmithZ28 · Feb 20, 2019

ngoodermuth said:
^^ This, and have you received the kanaplex yet? I would add in the kanaplex and metroplex (to the water column). The infection is getting ahead of him :/

I have the RRR on hand and can give him a bath. I have not received the Kanaplex yet. Should I stop on the Furan and WC? Says this stuff kills biological filtration as well. I got 2 bags of seeded media in my main sump I can swap out when I get this dude healthy.

ngoodermuth · Feb 20, 2019

I would not stop the Furan-2, but if you think there could be ammonia then definitely do a sizable water change. Just re-dose the new water according to it’s volume.

Frtdrmrose7 · Feb 20, 2019

ngoodermuth said:
I would not stop the Furan-2, but if you think there could be ammonia then definitely do a sizable water change. Just re-dose the new water according to it’s volume.

^^ I agree don’t stop because then this could go sideways real quick. What you have in the water now may be the only thing keeping him in the fight.

Miami Reef · Jul 15, 2024

@Jay Hemdal

I purchased a white tail Kole tang yesterday. It looked really good and eating great at the LFS.

He’s in copper power and prazipro right now.

This morning I noticed he had a white mouth. It looks like it’s foaming. I do not remember him having this yesterday.

No ammonia. Salinity and temp are natural seawater levels.

This fish is also a bully to the square back anthias. I opted for the kole instead of a powder blue because I thought Kole tangs were docile. He’s chasing the anthias around.

They are in a 20 gallon long.

DSmithZ28 · Jul 15, 2024

I've received a lot of bristletooth tanks with this mouth injury. I try to make sure he gets a lot of NORI and then use VitaChem in meaty food like LRS. It will heal but ti takes time. The problem is in QT stress keeps injuries from healing as fast as they would in aquarium.

Miami Reef · Jul 15, 2024

DSmithZ28 said:
I've received a lot of bristletooth tanks with this mouth injury. I try to make sure he gets a lot of NORI and then use VitaChem in meaty food like LRS. It will heal but ti takes time. The problem is in QT stress keeps injuries from healing as fast as they would in aquarium.

I fed it LRS this morning. It ate well. It just looks gross, and I don’t know if I’m supposed to use antibiotics or not.

DSmithZ28 · Jul 15, 2024

Miami Reef said:
I fed it LRS this morning. It ate well. It just looks gross, and I don’t know if I’m supposed to use antibiotics or not.

It's an injury that is common to bristletooth(s). An Antibiotic won't help unless there is an infection and perhaps to fight off any secondary infections. I personally do not treat for secondary infections until they become...Primary? LOL. I would just be patient and let him heal with very high quality foods and NORI plus the VitaChem. VitaChem is the only thing I have had success with and even has helped me out with HLLE caused by copper treatement. I have even received rescue tangs that have nipped fins and they will grow back with an improved diet and patience. NOTE: I have not had any luck growing back cartilage, just the fin membrane between the dorsal cartilage.

Genital Zod · Jul 15, 2024

I have a white tail bristletooth in qt right now. It also had a mouth injury that got worse then better then worse then better over a 1.5 month period. It was very swollen but the fish never stopped eating. The mouth eventually started turning red so I dosed kanaplex and the swelling and redness was gone after two days and never came back.

Jay Hemdal · Jul 15, 2024

Miami Reef said:
@Jay Hemdal

I purchased a white tail Kole tang yesterday. It looked really good and eating great at the LFS.

He’s in copper power and prazipro right now.

This morning I noticed he had a white mouth. It looks like it’s foaming. I do not remember him having this yesterday.

No ammonia. Salinity and temp are natural seawater levels.

This fish is also a bully to the square back anthias. I opted for the kole instead of a powder blue because I thought Kole tangs were docile. He’s chasing the anthias around.

They are in a 20 gallon long.

I agree, I see these mouth injuries with Ctenochaetus tangs a LOT. I think their genus name translates to “spine tooth” and that dentition gets tangled in nets. Pygmy angels have the same issue.

I wouldn’t do anything unless it stops eating, then you’ll want to try an antibiotic. Using those when they aren’t needed is problematic.

You’re running copper and prazi concurrently - while that can be done, it does add to the overall stress load on the fish.