Clownfish injury?

[dedvalson]

Hi all,

I have a pair of ocellaris clownfish in my fish and live rock tank. The tank is fairly new, around 2 months old. The clownfish were introduced about 2 weeks ago, so about 6 weeks after the tank was started. Water conditions are all pretty normal and as follows:

pH - 8.2
Ammonia - 0 with occasional 0.3 spikes
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate 0.3
Phosphate - trace
Temperature - 78

Last Sunday morning when I looked at the smaller clownfish of the pair (the male I assume) he had what looked much like a piece of cauliflower on his lower lip. It almost looks like a tiny anemone coming out of his mouth. Aside from this, he looks normal and is swimming normally and has excellent color. He isn't eating much, but he will eat live brine shrimp still. This happened about 2 days after I introduced 15 lbs of well cured live rock to the tank.

I have attached a couple pictures of him here:





I took these pictures to a fairly knowlegable LFS and she suggested that I should give the fish a 10 minute dip in a strong artemiss solution. I did that and it had a dramatic effect on the injury / growth (or whatever it is). It went from being off white and flowery to being brown and stringy. Almost like it killed whatever it was. Here is a picture after the dip.



His behavior was unchanged by the dip, he still looks and swims normally and won't eat much.

I know this sounds crazy, but it almost looks to me like he tried to eat some sort of small floating critter or anemone or something and it got stuck in his mouth. But it could just be an injury also.

I would welcome comments on what is wrong with this fish and how I might better treat it.

Thanks

Don

 

[RegalAngel]

Do a search for Lymphocystis...

 

[dedvalson]

Do a search for Lymphocystis...

I did some searching on the web for this as you suggested and it really does appear likely to be the issue. Thanks for the pointer.

Now the problem I see is that the advice I see for this viral disease vary from "ignore it and it will go away" to "immediately destroy the affected fish, quaranteen all other fish and empty and sterilize the tank".

Many people advise surgery, cutting away of the bad tissue. I have considered doing this, possibly using a tweezers or knife to at least get rid of the long string dead parts, but I am really really reluctanct to stress the fish this much.

I would welcome suggestions.

Don

 

[RegalAngel]

I have had several fish with Lymphocystis and none required anything but waiting. Only in those cases where it might impair eating or gill impairment is it necessary to take some action.

"He isn't eating much, but he will eat live brine shrimp still".....sounds ok.

 

[dedvalson]

Hi,

Things have gone down hill. The growth has gotten worse and is blocking his mouth keeping him from eating.

Any advice on how to remove it. I hate doing this but I see no choice.

Don

 

[Steve_B]

Fairly knowledgeable LFS?

DON'T TAKE ANY ADVICE FROM AN LFS! For the most part they may pretend to seem very knowledgeable. I have no idea where they get the title "MARINE BIOLIGIST".
I went into one looking for some reagent refills. The guy didn't even know what it was. He said I had to buy the entire kit. He said he was a "MARINE BIOLIGIST"
Do they get that title "œMARINE BIOLIGIST" from a gum ball machine? They act so sure of themselves and they don't have a clue. Look at some of the members here with thousands of posts. They have MUCH more expertise than an LFS. They aren't here to sell you anything, just help you. They don't make money from you. LFS just want you to rely on them so they can keep you as a customer. There have been times that I have had to teach them things. They were so knowledgeable and PRETEND so sure of themselves. Don't listen to those people; they are just there to sell you stuff.