Kole tang with weird growing mark

[FishN00b83]

attached are some photos of my Mole tang currently in QT. I noticed that it's had this white mark on the side but it's been getting more pronounced as time goes on. I wanted to start prazipro today, but I'm wondering if I would need to do something else first. my plan was to do prazi for 2 weeks then copper. I'm not familiar with anything that looks like this so any info would be appreciated. thanks.

After looking up a bunch if things, could it be tang fingerprint disease?

 

[HumbleFish]

Looks like an infection to me. Whether it started out as a bacterial infection, or was a cut that got infected. I would treat with antibiotics ASAP: Furan-2, or Kanaplex, or a erythromycin/minocycline combo (old school Maracyn 1 & 2, if you can find it).

Btw, what's up with the marshmallow looking things in your QT? Are those packing peanuts?

 

[FishN00b83]

lol no they're ceramic tubes.

the kole tang has a few marks on the other side, but they aren't as bad as that side. is there a way to tell if it's viral or bacterial?

 

[HumbleFish]

is there a way to tell if it's viral or bacterial?

Not without a skin scrape, microscope, know what you're looking for, etc.

 

[FishN00b83]

Not without a skin scrape, microscope, know what you're looking for, etc.

oh, well that's not happening haha

 

[DasCamel]

Not as hard as it seems.

Not as hard as it seems.

oh, well that's not happening haha

Little research on the net...

 

[FishN00b83]

yeah I've been looking and the one thing I can find that kinda looks/sounds like what I see is the tang fingerprint disease. from the little information I can find on it, it looks like you can't do anything about it. the fish either fights it off or it over takes it.

I'm going to the store now to buy some antibiotics just in case it does get any worse.

how long is a usually treatment for antibiotics if I go that route?

 

[HumbleFish]

how long is a usually treatment for antibiotics if I go that route?

1 course is usually 4 days, but oftentimes 2 courses are required.

 

[FishN00b83]

the LFS actually had kanaplex so I picked up a 5g tube. you think I should start right away?

 

[HumbleFish]

the LFS actually had kanaplex so I picked up a 5g tube. you think I should start right away?

That is what I would do. If this is being caused by a virus the antibiotics will likely have no effect. But if it's bacterial, it should help. Either way, what do you have to lose by trying?

 

[FishN00b83]

very true. I guess this is why you put new fish in QT to begin with. I'll start with the antibiotics. then I guess prazipro followed by the copper treatment?

 

[HumbleFish]

very true. I guess this is why you put new fish in QT to begin with. I'll start with the antibiotics. then I guess prazipro followed by the copper treatment?

Sounds like a good plan. :thumbsup:

 

[FishN00b83]

so I did the first dose of kanaplex yesterday. it seems like the spot is growing quite large now. I know the meds won't kick in instantly, but how quickly would you likely see an improvement?

 

[HumbleFish]

so I did the first dose of kanaplex yesterday. it seems like the spot is growing quite large now. I know the meds won't kick in instantly, but how quickly would you likely see an improvement?

Provided you keep up with the recommended dosage; it should stop getting worse after 4 days. After 8 days you should see definite improvement. Antibiotics ain't quick when it comes to fish. But keep in mind, if this is a virus the fish's immune system has to battle it on it's own.

 

[Mr. Limpid]

Do you have a heater in this tank, check to see if he sleeps wedge between it and the glass tank. I seen this B4 from the shape it looks like a burn from the heater.

 

[FishN00b83]

I do have a heater...how can I prevent that from happening if it is burning itself?

 

[Mr. Limpid]

Is this a hospital tank? If so let the heat just dangle, don’t use suction cups, or if it’s a TD and you have a sump move heat down there. Or buy those plastic guards which will make to tight to fit behind. First see if he is sleep there.

 

[FishN00b83]

I have it just dangling now, the suction cups suck. I have noticed that the kole tang constantly swims around it, but I'm pretty the marks were there when I put em in.

 

[Mr. Limpid]

OK then not the heater, go with bacteria meds. New question did you buy him from a LFS? If so I suggest you look them over B4 purchasing any fish. Make sure the swim ok no scratching and always see them eat. If any of the above items are wrong walk away, wait till there is a health fish

 

[FishN00b83]

I went through live aquaria. I dosed kenaplex to the water yesterday so I guess I'll see how the next few days go. I was able to take some more pictures from my webcam at work. they're below.