Atlantic blue tang with bloody lips

Gools

Member
Just got him a week ago, he's in quarantine tank for the last week doing really well eating lots. Today went to feed him and noticed his mouth is all blood red and he didnt eat any of the pellets I fed him. He's also breathing rapidly

Looking for ideas. Thanks
 

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I had a Regal Angel that had the same thing, it didn't end well. Took 3 days to completely eat the mouth. I had a juv Emporer in with it and it came down with a lesion on its back which spread fast, I used Metro+ to treat it successfully over 7 days. Might be worth trying it but be quick.
 
Could be something like vibrio. You would need to start with some serious antibiotics like Cipro or Septra right away - the standard aquarium antibiotics will likely not be strong enough.
I would also try to apply some diluted Lugol's solution on the wound.
The outlook is likely still not good.
 
Thank for the suggestions.i might have some metro I'll see if I can find it, or if my LFS has any. With the Lugol's, I guess I would just apply that with a dropper?

I wasn't sure what to do so I added some paraguard. Fish is active and this morning he picked at some mysis. But mouth still looks the same.

Thanks again for the suggestions
 
Just thought id give an update to those who use the search like I enjoy using.

As of today tang is doing great. He has finished up a tank transfer method a week ago along with prazipro and will probably be going into my main tank in the next day or two.

My theory on the bloody mouth may have been bad water quality, possibly ammonia poisoning, as once I moved him to a new tank with fresh tank water added some paraguard and after about 3-4 days the bloody lips went away. In my panic to do something didn't test the water quality so can't say for sure but I guess when in doubt get them into new, fresh, safe water to start.

Thanks again to all who supplied input
 
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