Need HELP! Bacterial Infection?

[Thunderstruck]

I believe my spotted damsel has a bacterial infection. I noticed two days ago he began breathing heavy, and white ring around his mouth. His mouth looked inflamed. Then yesterday he really did not each much, and began hiding. I noticed, his lower fin was bitten as well. Now today he wonââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t even come out. I can see that he is in a cave but canââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t get to him. Other tank inhabits are a red dartfish and yellow tail damsel. Also, I have a snowflake eel and many inverts. This is a reef tank set up. There is no real way I can catch him if he does not come out. I guess my question is any thoughts on what it is and is it contagious to the other fish, esp. if he dies in the tank. The other fish are doing fine as of right now and eating. Any thoughts?

 

[leebca]

Diagnosis is important in order to accurately answer you questions. So, I can't go there until it is diagnosed.

IF it is bacterial, how did the fish get it? There is always bacteria in our tanks and if a fish gets a bacterial infection then something is wrong: foods and feeding:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=785228
water quality was not perfect;
fish is/was being harassed;
etc.; etc.

You haven't indicated how long you've had this fish, nor shared whether or not your tank water is top notch. For a discussion of bacterial infections (albeit as it relates to the eye) you can check this old thread:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=685797
Another thread:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=681882

IF it is bacterial, then your other fish can be affected if the cause of the first fish's infection hasn't been resolved/removed. Its death in a cave which might go unnoticed for a day or more can cause a major bacterial bloom and that could be very bad for your other fishes, especially if the reason the fish was ill in the first place hasn't been found and fixed.

I'd say show us a photo, but from what you wrote, that won't be likely.

 

[TOURKID]

Lee helped me alot. I just wanted to throw in that the day I noticed my fish was ill, she developed a white funk on her bottom lip and her mouth was inflamed and the third day she had frayed fins and was breathing heavy even her cheeks swelled.

Shes in QT now getting treated with coppersafe and maracyn 2. I dont think I needed the copper, but the maracyn 2 made my fish do a complete 360 in health. Shes def. gonna make it.

I know you dont wanna do it.... But if you can catch that fish and have a qt... Id go for it.maracyn to treats bacteria... I added 2 tablets the first night then 1 tablet each additional night, shes still being treated

 

[Thunderstruck]

I have caught fish from the tank before, that is not too hard, it is just when they don't come out of the caves, i can't catch it. I really do want to go the qt route, but if I can't get to him, trying to figure out the alternative. As far as water chemistry. Everything is fine, just a touch of nitrates because of the eel. Nothing major though. I have two anemones and they are fine. A ton of corals too, and they are all happy. I had the fish in this tank now for 5 weeks. Had him a good 5 weeks in qt before that. Only feed him flakes. The eels gets either freeze dried krill or frozen silversides. No changes in chemistry or anything. I did however do a 6 gallon water change sat morning. Noticed him acting funky monday (was not home sunday). I did not add anythign special to the water, and do go through a tap water purifier. Perhaps i introduced a contaminent I can not detect. FYI, I do make the water and friday, and let it sit till sat morning then do the water change...

 

[TOURKID]

i ment i know you dont want to... meaning... rip apart the rocks, or i donno, shoot some water into the cave.. somthing....

 

[leebca]

From the info you provided, the highest probability would be a bacterial infection.

Get the fish to a hospital tank and treat with an antibiotic. Since it is advanced in its condition, I'd use Maracyn Two for Saltwater fish.

Start feeding the fish better foods when it starts eating again.

Good luck!

 

[Thunderstruck]

Thanks for the help, next step is to try and catch the fish again. I will try and figure out a way to bait him out...

 

[TOURKID]

my fish dident eat for 4 days. after 1 night in maracyn 2.. she is eating like a pig agian