Lunare Wrasse with scales missing

[Westpat]

I have a lunare wrasse that is about seven years old who has always been healthy until now. He started showing signs of missing a few scales here and there, but I thought that it was hin getting into shrimp fights with my puffer. It has now progressed to half of the scales on his left side missing showing white flesh.

I honestly thought that he was dead since I have not seen him in two days. He has a tube that he normally hides in and I thought he had croaked in it. Anyway, he is coming out for food when I put some in, and he is still swimming okay.

I have a tank that I can set up as a hospital, but I have NO IDEA what to do to treat. I have done a freshwater dip on a clownfish before, but other than that they have either died overnight or are still alive in my tank.

Please help, he is a pain, but I would like to save him!
Thanks,
David

 

[Hattie B]

Hi David,

Is there any way to take a picture?

He could have a number of things and a pic could help identify it.

Did the scales ulcerate before they fell off?

He could have a major bacterial infection and a broad sectrum antibotic (gram negative) would be the way to go.

Even though I can't say what is def wrong with him, with that amount of skin exposed he is bound to get some sort of secondary infection somehow so I would start treatment in a QT tank with an antibotic for starters.

 

[Westpat]

He hides in the rockwork or in his tube and only comes out for food. I have never been able to take a good pic in all the time I have had him.

There were lighter spots on his side where I thought that he was getting nipped by Puffy. No signs of ulceration or other raw area. I can go by and get an antibiotoic after church.

I will not be devasted if i were to lose him. I have always referred to him as my "pain in the wrasse". I am just proud that he has lived for such a long time, and I owe it to him to try to make him well.

Thanks for the advice and I will add more tomorrow. I also have enough water mixed up for a 40% water change tomorrow so that my puffer will not get sick. He has been my baby for 4 years and I cannot lose him!

Any other advice is appreciated.
David

 

[Westpat]

I have transferred him to a 5g hex that I had. I have never used the tank and I made it bare bottom with his tube transferred from the other tank. I used 2g from the tank he was in and 3g from the make up water. The parameters and temp were almost the same. I do have a 10g whisper filter with some carbon for filtration. Is that too much? I will take the carbon out upon treatment.

I did not get an antibiotic today, but will do so in the morning. I know you said gram negative, but do you reccomend a certain one, or a list.

I tried to get a picture, but he kept hiding in the big tank and moving in the QT. When I put his tube in it, he went right into it.
It looks like there is about 5 to 10 scales missing and a flap of skin where the scales are gone.

He is still breathing normal, but we will see how it goes tomorrow. I have never seen a fish look so bad and then recover, but he is tougher than any fish I have ever seen. I will be sad to see him go if it happens, but he has not been the most endearing fish I have ever had.

David

 

[Hattie B]

HI,

Maracyn 2 is a good one. (I have had good success with this one)

Furacyn, is another good one

Kanacyn is another one.

Good luck, posts some pics if you get any.

 

[Westpat]

He was dead when I got home today. Thank you for your help.
The vet where I work, PetSmart, did an internship at the Shedd Aquarium. She has offered to do an autopsy for me.

Thanks,
David

 

[Hattie B]

sorry for your loss, you had him a long time.

If you go through with the necropsy, post some findings.

Amber