Really Weird Injury?

[LukFox]

This morning I noticed a tiny nick on my goldbar wrasse's face (Thalassoma hebraicum). I figured he just got nipped by the tusk and it would heal shortly. It was a really small mark so I thought little of it. But when I got home it was a lot worse, and turned into a couple tunnels going across his face?? I've only had him for a month or two, so is it possible it's some sort of burrowing parasite he brought with him? I'm just really confused... He's still acting completely normal and is very active. He's really fast, so it's a real pain to photograph him. I tried my best...

Anyone know what this is?

 

[LukFox]

I just snapped these- they're a little better. The jigsaw looking cut on the left side of his face is a lot more visible here.

 

[AquaKnight]

Hmm, in the profile pics, it sort of seems like it could be some swelling around the area? It would cause some discoloration? I don't think a parasite would cause that, maybe an infection, bacterial or viral?


Those are some good pics though. Was the shutter speed on full? I also see you mentioned the tusk might have nipped him. Is the Tusk above the Goldbar tank-status-wise? I have both (in QT) and the Goldbar is the Boss, a tad bigger (5" vs 4") then my Tusk. Though throw some scallops in there and the Goldbar knows to sit back lol.

 

[LukFox]

There's possibly some swelling around the lip. I can't tell for sure... Around the lines it seems it's just cut into the skin, but not actually any swelling.

The camera was on running mode, so I didn't have a shutter speed option. It's just a point and shoot mostly lol. The tusk is the tank's boss. The tusk chases the goldbar when he tries to take the tusk's food. Sounds like your goldbar is smarter about that . The tusk is 8" and the goldbar is about 5".

 

[danorth]

That is a new one to me. Never saw a face injury on a wrasse. Hope it goes away on its own though, pretty fish!

 

[LukFox]

I just went to feed the fish, and I saw a chunk of flesh float off his face... There's another little chunk barely attached, and it will soon be lost, too. This is happening really fast! So far it's just getting worse. Almost scared to see what he'll look like in the morning. I hope he can fight this. I don't want to risk treating for something he doesn't have and making things worse D:. It might be worth treating for bacterial if he deteriorates more tomorrow, I guess.

 

[danorth]

Man. What else is in that tank? If it was a human we'd call it some kind of flesh eating bacteria. I bet the answer could be an all purpose antibotic. I would try to contact Billsreef or Puffer queen for further advice.

This is one heck of a hobby, just when all seems fine.....

 

[LukFox]

Yeah, and everything was going so well~.

He's in there with a tusk, purple tang, 2 yellow tangs, a miliaris eel, a Brazilian dragon eel, some mushrooms, a colt coral, a tigertail cucumber, and tuxedo urchins.

It looks like it could be flesh eating bacteria, definitely, now that you mention it. I'll set up the QT tomorrow.

I'm hoping Bill sees this thread. Do you know what site Puffer Queen can be found on? She doesn't seem to come around here very often.

 

[danorth]

I think Chris (reefer334) said she is on marine depot's forum, could be wrong. He just mentioned her in another thread recently, will go and look.

 

[danorth]

Here it is:

"Try going to the marine depot forums and look for Kelly Jerdlicky's forum on fish didease there is a article there about it"

 

[AquaKnight]

Wow, that sounds terrible. I wish you and the fish the best of luck.

 

[LukFox]

Well this morning he looked a little worse, and there's some swelling. But now, tonight, he actually looks a bit better! It looks like it's actually receded a bit when I'm comparing the photos from tonight and yesterday (he's too fast to see clearly without a still photo lol). I'll keep a close eye on it, but I'm leaving on Friday for a few days so I hope I can get a clear idea of where this is going by then.

 

[MeskeetDog]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12234223#post12234223 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by LukFox
Yeah, and everything was going so well~.

He's in there with a tusk, purple tang, 2 yellow tangs, a miliaris eel, a Brazilian dragon eel, some mushrooms, a colt coral, a tigertail cucumber, and tuxedo urchins.

It looks like it could be flesh eating bacteria, definitely, now that you mention it. I'll set up the QT tomorrow.

I'm hoping Bill sees this thread. Do you know what site Puffer Queen can be found on? She doesn't seem to come around here very often.

Can someone explain the difference between the different Dragon eels? Ive never heard of a Brazilian Dragon. whats the difference between the Hawaiian Dragon, Japanese Dragon and this one.. color variations depending on region?

Thanks

 

[LukFox]

Hawaiian and Japanese dragons are the same species (Enchelycore pardalis). They differ by color- the Japanese are darker and more red, while the Hawaiian are more gray. The Brazilian is a completely different eel (Muraena pavonina), and it is only called a dragon as well because it has the dragon "horns".

 

[TheSaltwaterGuy]

Puffer Queen is sometimes online at SharkRayCentral.com