Wrasse with head lesions

[csreed]

Good morning! I acquired a new wrasse 2 nights ago. After having a fairy wrasse die rapidly in quarantine (overnight, seemed way too stressed in bare quarantine tank), I admit that I did not quarantine this one. He's eating great, but now I see two small lesions on his "forehead." Sorry - he's so active I can't get a picture for anything. The lesions are roughly circular, white around the edges & "scale colored" in the middle. At first I thought he'd just scraped his head in the unfamiliar tank, but there was only one spot yesterday & now there are 2. No other lesions on body. Any thoughts?

 

[Maritimer]

Sounds from your description like they're too big to be ich ... possibly injury, bacterial activity, Lymphocystis . . .

Difficult without that photo.

~Bruce

 

[Humblefish]

It sounds like Hexamita, which wrasses are prone to. But Hexamita would also cause white, stringy feces. Are you seeing that as well?

 

[csreed]

It sounds like Hexamita, which wrasses are prone to. But Hexamita would also cause white, stringy feces. Are you seeing that as well?

Haven't seen him defecate yet...

 

[Humblefish]

Haven't seen him defecate yet...

I think I would start soaking his food with metro: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/metronidazole.298762/

Use Seachem Focus to bind the medication to food: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/metronidazole.298762/#post-3655831

 

[csreed]

I also have Hex Shield pellets - one vs the other?

 

[Humblefish]

I also have Hex Shield pellets - one vs the other?

Those are already laced with metro, so a perfect solution to this problem.