Bartlett's Anthias Weird Spot on Its Side

[Speeddemon7]

Hey guys,
I have had this little guy for almost a year now he is still eating great and extremely active as usual. I noticed this spot today when I was feeding the tank. It didnt look right and I couldnt find anything online that appeared similar to my little guys condition. So I was wondering if anyone on here would know. The spot is defiantly under his scales appears to be alittle deep. It was hard to take the picture because you can only see it really well when the light is shining through him. Anyway I was hoping someone could help me. Heres a pic ill try to get another one if this one isnt good enough.
Thanks!

 

[BBraker]

The facts that its an anthias, the size of the lesion, color and angled-forward shape has all the indications of Uronema or "red band" disease. The only factor that doesn't fit is the timeline - Uronema is rarely seen in fish that have been in captivity over six months. It is primarily a "new fish" disease, only fish stressed by transport/capture or some other problem seem to come down with it. Uronema is a protozoan that can be isolated from almost any tank, it is not an obligate parasite, it prefers to feed on uneaten food, etc.
Treatment is difficult/impossible, the protozoans are actually living inside the muscles of the fish and are erupting to the surface, so meds in the water don't have much effect.

The only treatment I'd had any luck with is chloroquine in a quarantine tank at 15ppm. They used to sell this in pet stores, but I haven't seen it for many years. Supposedly, some people are able to find it though.

Let's hope I'm wrong on this, and its just a bruise or something.....


Bill

 

[Speeddemon7]

Thanks so much for responding. Yeh i sure hope it is not that...either way ill see if I can find the chloroquine. I just recently added a blue dot jaw fish he hasnt shown any signs of this. Could this disease be transmitted from fish to fish? If so should I remove hims ASAP? or is it already to late for the others?...I dont see anything coming to the surface of the fish...its just this dark spot that deep inside the fish...are there any other signs I should look for to diagnose?
Thanks so much for your help!

 

[BBraker]

The only other real symptom is rapid, open mouth breathing, but you don't see that until the fish is almost dead. I would not move any fish - Uronema is found in most every system, if the fish are predisposed to becoming infected, moving them won't help at all.
Don't dose chloroquine in your main tank....


Bill

 

[Speeddemon7]

Thanks for the info braker...I was looking online all last night on sign and symptoms...I also found as many pictures as i could get my hands on...I heard that freshwater dips for 3min are the best to illuminate it...if a fresh water dip isnt an options I also read alot people having success with Maracyn Plus...The fish has always breath with his mouth opening and closing...I do have an angel that bullies the anthias around he always has...Im hoping this is just a bruise...if it doesnt clear up within two weeks...I will proceed to one of the measures of treatment...In addition this fish likes to sleep in dark close quarters areas in my rock...there is a good chance he hurt himself...cross your fingers thats all it is...thanks so much braker...I will post again for an update.
-Kevin

 

[Speeddemon7]

Today I noticed the spot has vanished. Looks like it was just a bruise of some kind. That was a close one. Well if I ever do run into Uronema I no what I need to do.