I have just noticed that my tomato clown has what looks like a slimy whiteish coating over parts of the mid body; kind of looks like he is shedding, peeling or some type of body slime. I did some quick research and have read that it could be slimy skin or velvet disease..after just a few minutes of searching the net I'm at this point unsure if they are the same disease or 2 different ones. I will continue to browse around to find out. I figured I'd drop a note here to see if I can get some quick advice while I continue to search. I just did a water test and everything read perfect, nitrates are up very slightly (10) and I was already planning on doing a water change tomorrow. Any idea's on how to get jump started on this would be a big help. I only have 5 gallons of water prepared so I might do a 5G change tonight and a bigger one in the morning. I think I have time to run out to buy some type of drops or something; once I find out for sure what it is and what I should do. Fish ate fine and is swimming around as normal as usual. Any advice will greatly help. I just spoke to a friend who recommended Melafix; anyone ever use or heard of it. Thanks for any help.
fungus??
- Thread starter thekidace
- Start date
Before you treat with anything, it might be a good idea to know what you're dealing with.
If the condition is a result of a low-level infection, then I would have no problem doing little or using Melafix. But if the symptoms indicate a more significant problem, then you need the specific medicine.
Posting a photo here will help us see what you're seeing. A good close up of the fish is what we need, if you can do this.
How long have you had this fish? Was it quarantined and treated for Brooklynella when you first got it?
If it is Marine Velvet, the fish would more than likely be breathing very quickly and die within one or two days. You're looking for very tiny spots, like powdered sugar on the fish to see if it might be Marine Velvet. Another test for this disease is to give the fish a fresh water dip and check the water for signs of Marine Velvet.
Some additional information on Marine Velvet:
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-07/sp/feature/index.htm
Your post began with "Fungus." A fungal infection in marine fish is rare and usually shows as a fuzzy growth or patch on the fish.
When a fish sheds it protective coating, there is something irritating the fish -- water quality; disease; parasite; etc.
:rollface:
If the condition is a result of a low-level infection, then I would have no problem doing little or using Melafix. But if the symptoms indicate a more significant problem, then you need the specific medicine.
Posting a photo here will help us see what you're seeing. A good close up of the fish is what we need, if you can do this.
How long have you had this fish? Was it quarantined and treated for Brooklynella when you first got it?
If it is Marine Velvet, the fish would more than likely be breathing very quickly and die within one or two days. You're looking for very tiny spots, like powdered sugar on the fish to see if it might be Marine Velvet. Another test for this disease is to give the fish a fresh water dip and check the water for signs of Marine Velvet.
Some additional information on Marine Velvet:
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-07/sp/feature/index.htm
Your post began with "Fungus." A fungal infection in marine fish is rare and usually shows as a fuzzy growth or patch on the fish.
When a fish sheds it protective coating, there is something irritating the fish -- water quality; disease; parasite; etc.
:rollface:
thanks Lee. After reading your post I think I can rule out velvet. There are no spots at all; just what looks like when a reptile sheds and the whiteish skin peels off. That is what appears on the fish; its the best way I can describe it and I cannot post a pic. Its sort of slimy land stringy looking. The fish is acting fine; not stressing aggressive when fed and not breathing hard.
From what I have read about Melafix everything seems pretty positive as far as results go; and safe as well. Let me know your thoughts or if more info from me is needed.
From what I have read about Melafix everything seems pretty positive as far as results go; and safe as well. Let me know your thoughts or if more info from me is needed.
BTTRFLYGRL
New member
I just went through a similar problem with my Ocellaris. I have had him for a year. She also had what appeared to be peeling skin. She also seemed a bit irritated at times. I did a couple of big water changes and it cleared up..still not exactly sure what was wrong, None of the other fish were affected
Angela Short
New member
Could the fish be hosting a new coral irritating its skin? Just a thought.
thekidace,
Angela has a possible source for the irritation. BTTRFLYGIRL is certainly right in thinking that something might be wrong with the water.
Before you start dumping chemicals into your tank try a large water change every day for a few days and see if the condition gets better. Look for water quality issues and sources of the fish being stung or irritated.
If you use Melafix, you'll turn off your UV, remove carbon, and stop any skimming action. I don't like doing these things unless I have a darn good reason to do this. You might end up adding Melafix to the water and yet worsen the water quality overall by stopping your chemical and mechanical filtration.
Angela has a possible source for the irritation. BTTRFLYGIRL is certainly right in thinking that something might be wrong with the water.
Before you start dumping chemicals into your tank try a large water change every day for a few days and see if the condition gets better. Look for water quality issues and sources of the fish being stung or irritated.
If you use Melafix, you'll turn off your UV, remove carbon, and stop any skimming action. I don't like doing these things unless I have a darn good reason to do this. You might end up adding Melafix to the water and yet worsen the water quality overall by stopping your chemical and mechanical filtration.
Sounds like a good decription of brooklynella to me. Unusual that the clown would get brooklynella after you have had the fish for 3 years. Did you add something new to the tank in the past month?
Melafix won't touch brooklynella and this parasite kills a lot of clownfish. I would give the fish a series of 3 formalin dips, one every third day.
Terry B
Melafix won't touch brooklynella and this parasite kills a lot of clownfish. I would give the fish a series of 3 formalin dips, one every third day.
Terry B
Angela Short
New member
Why I said the coral irritation is my clownfish experience... I have a mated pair of clowns. A onyx and very disbar orange so it shows up real well on their skin. They hosted some hairy mushrooms they came with for over 8-9 months and after a tank re-arrange they swapped to a big frogspawn. ( no new additions since them) I started noticing skin slouphing and funny "marks" and white peeling. It would come and go and they didn't act stressed so I let it go for a long time (months) just observing them. I thought it may be the coral. I had to do a quick tank drain to catch a MEAN yellow tang I was over so grabbed them also for a QT round. 3 formalin dips later and 2 weeks in QT they were perfect looking. I thought I licked whatever was ailing them and put them back in display only to find the skin problems returned within days. Same as it was. I guess mine are alergic to frogspawn stings. Don't underestimate it could be something more seriouse, especially if the clown or anyone else in the tank is new. And I strongly belive in formalin just as a what if senario. Mine had no adverse effects over it, esecially administered by Terry B's article. I have formalin dipped many fish.
