Yellow Tail Damsel rubbing his mouth

[Sebastiancrab]

My yellow tail nibbles at the brown hair algae but also at times looks like he is sideswiping the rock with his mouth. I can't tell if this is eating or he has a gill problem. He looks and acts fine. All my other fish are ok. Can you advise? @jayhemdal

 

[anemoneanatomy]

Is he new to your tank or has anything changed such that he might be under stress? My concern would be ich, as this sounds like scratching behavior.

 

[Sebastiancrab]

He isn't under stress. There is a slightly new fish that was added after being treated with cupramine.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

He isn't under stress. There is a slightly new fish that was added after being treated with cupramine.

Tough to say, but a fish flashing/scratching its face could have gill flukes. Ich would show white spots.
In this case, the fish nibbling at the algae kind of confounds the issue. Did you ever dose this fish with praziquantel? Is it breathing fast?
Jay

 

[Sebastiancrab]

Tough to say, but a fish flashing/scratching its face could have gill flukes. Ich would show white spots.
In this case, the fish nibbling at the algae kind of confounds the issue. Did you ever dose this fish with praziquantel? Is it breathing fast?
Jay

No, never heard of that medicine and he is acting fine but still doing the flashing. I have prazipro and paraguard. I think it is unlikely that he has flukes and will hold off for doing anything now.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

No, never heard of that medicine and he is acting fine but still doing the flashing. I have prazipro and paraguard. I think it is unlikely that he has flukes and will hold off for doing anything now.

Prazipro is praziquantel. If the condition worsens, or continues, you might consider trying that medication. I woul;dn't use Paraguard, I don't see any evidence of a protozoan issue.

Jay