question about fuzzy patch on fish

[nellahtes]

i have a labouts fairy wrasse that had ich. he seems to have beaten the ich but has a fuzzy patch between his eyes. i have no idea what this is. im wondering if it scratched itself while rubbing the rocks, or whether it is a fungal or bacterial infection. it is eating, breathing normally, and active. i dont want to lose this fish and need help on what to do. here are 2 pics, i hope they help as it is very hard to get a pic. any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[dfs/la2]

SPS Addiction,

Thank you for contacting us with your question. From the pictures that we can see it looks like it may have scratched itself and it has healed but we would like to have our Director of our Aquaculture Coral and Marine Life Facility on Monday to see if he concurs. We recommend soaking your feedings in garlic juice before feeding the aquarium, as it will boost the fish’s immune system. We apologize for any inconvenience.

We will post on Monday as soon as we have a response.

Stacie R.
Technical Support
Drs Foster and Smith

 

[nellahtes]

it is definately fuzzy and not smooth. should i leave the fish in the tank for the time being? hopefully it doesnt get worse. will wait to hear back from you.

 

[dfs/la2]

SPS Addiction,

Thank you for contacting us. With being uncertain about the fish, we recommend to quarantine just to be safe. As soon as we have a response we will post it on Monday.

These are beautiful fish and are a great addition to your reef aquarium.

Stacie R
Technical Support
Drs Foster & Smith

 

[nellahtes]

ok, will quarantine and wait for a reply....thanks

 

[DFS]

SPS Addiction,

With the images you have provided it is very difficult to tell if your Cirrhilabrus labouti has a secondary bacterial infection after fighting off the recent parasitic infection. The patches on the fishes' head could be excessive slime production due to a physical injury. If this is the case it should pass without using antibiotics if you maintain pristine water conditions and a stress free environment for the fish during the healing process.

Moving the fish to a QT aquarium is a wise idea, but please make sure that you monitor the water conditions very closely as you will want to provide optimum water conditions during this stressful time for the fish. Performing water changes with conditioned water from your display aquarium daily is one way to accomplish this.

Does the fish look better today? Would it be possible for you to try and take a more detailed photo of the fishes' head, so we can see the progress as of today, and I can try and make an accurate diagnosis?

Proper diagnosis is very important before using any antibiotics on marine fish. If a fish has an open wound in our facility that is more than just a scratch we first employ a direct treatment approach on the wound itself with a product called Bio-Bandage
And administer this antibiotic powder directly to the wound to prevent any external infection from spreading.

Regards,
Kevin Kohen
Director of LiveAquaria
Drs. Foster and Smith

 

[nellahtes]

it looks much better today and it is quarantine. i will do my best to get an accurate pic. the fuzzy patch is gone however it is not eating today. i assume this is due to being stressed after the move.

 

[nellahtes]

kevin, i cant get a pic for the life of me. it stays under the rock unless i feed then its going too fast. but it is eatin aggressively now. the fuzzy stuff is gone but it now has a lump where the fuz was. i will continue to try and get a pic. i did start treating with maracyn plus.

 

[dfs/la2]

SPS Addiction,

Thank you for the update. We’re very happy to hear your fish is eating. It sounds like your fish is healing. We understand how difficult it can be to take a photograph. If you do manage to get a picture we’d be interested in seeing it.

Good Luck!

Ginger K.
LiveAquaria
Drs. Foster & Smith

 

[nellahtes]

what would cause lumps? there seem to be 2. one on the top of the head and the other on the side of it. still trying to get a good pic.

 

[dfs/la2]

SPS Addiction,

Thank you for updating us on the progress of your Cirrhilabrus labouti. May we ask you to call our Technical Support Group for additional help? We will be most happy to help you and discuss the various possibilities that can be contributing to your fish’s health. You may contact us at 800-562-7169 extension 225.

Pat S.
LiveAquaria
Drs. Foster and Smith

 

[nellahtes]

here is a pic its not very good but it shows the bump and also shows how the color is grayish. i will keep trying to get a better pic.

 

[dfs/la2]

SPS Addiction,

Thank you for the updated picture, it looks as if the fish has a physical bruise on its head. We recommend feeding it well and keeping it in extremely clean water and allow the Wrasse to heal on its own.


Luci Z
LiveAquaria
Drs Foster & Smith

 

[nellahtes]

ok today it has fuzzy patches again around the lumps...also not eating now.

 

[nellahtes]

also white stringy poop, dont know if that means anything or not.

 

[dfs/la2]

Thank you for contacting us with your newest update. We would like to ask you to please PM us with your order and contact information .We are looking forward to personally contacting you in order to provide our best possible assistance.

If you prefer, you may contact us at 800-562-7169 extension 225.


Barb T
Technical Support
Drs Foster and Smith

 

[nellahtes]

heres another pic

 

[nellahtes]

fish is breathing very rapidly and laying on its side....doesnt look good now. thanks for all of your help