Sargassum Trigger has disease on face...PLEASE HELP!!

[jenzabear]

We have no idea what this is and it hasn't been eating...can anyone please help us out!!

Any help or advice would be much appreciated!!

 

[jenzabear]

no one has any ideas??

 

[TerryB]

I would say that is an aggressive bacterial infection. I would treat in quarantine with a combination of Neomycin at 250mg/gal and Furanase or nitrofurazone. The meds will destroy the biological filtration. Keep a batch of saltwater going and aerate it. You will need to make several water changes during the treatment. Do not delay as this is a tough infection to beat.

I would also reduce the salinity because the fish is expending a huge amount of energy to maintain it's internal salinity balance with a lesion that large. Don't be afraid to reduce the salinity quickly, but keep a close eye on the pH and temperature. Some StressGuard or similar product will provide a temporary mucus barrier. I would also get some Beta glucan (immune stimulant) from a health food store. Add a small amount to the food for a week or more. If the fish is not eating then dissolve some Beta glucan in a cup of freshwater and then add it to the Qtank. I like the "Now" brand because it is cheap and the capsules are 100mg of Beta glucan.

Keep the lights low and provide the fish with some PVC pipe to hide in. Keep away from the tank as much as possible to keep the stress on the fish low.

Terry B

 

[TerryB]

What are you feeding the fish?

Terry B

 

[jenzabear]

thank you for the advice terry, we have been feeding it or I should say trying to feed it everything we can think of. We have tried frozen mysis, krill, brine. We have also tried formula two flake, nori, fresh clams on a half shell and cyclopeeze.
We went out last night and have bought some erythromycin and are currently treating with that...and keeping our fingers crossed. My biggest concern is that it is not eating and doesn't seem interested.

 

[TerryB]

Sorry, but that was probably a poor choice of antibiotic. If you are going to use erythromycin then at least combine it with Maracyn-Two. Add liquid vitamins and some Beta glucan to the water.

Terry B

 

[jenzabear]

By the time that we received your message on here we were already treating with erythromycin Terry, we went around to several of the local pet stores around here and there really wasn't much option for treatment. We picked up both the erythromycin and melafix, a natural antibiotic both by API. We thought it would be best to start out with the erythromycin and see how that went. It seems to be working alright so far. It may not have been the best choice, but it was the best that we could find.
I am putting some liquid vitamins in the water and have decreased the salininty in the tank to make it easier for it. It still has no interest in food but I'm hoping that it can pull through. I will try and pick up some beta glucan after work and add that to the water as well. As for the maracyn-two, we looked and weren't able to find any for saltwater. Possibly on Monday we will be able to run into a nearby city and find some.

 

[TerryB]

The only real difference between the freshwater formula of Maracyn-Two and the saltwater formula is the added vitamins. Personally, I would get the medications that I suggested at another store or online ASAP. If all you can get is Maracyn-Two then use it at the dose suggested for the first day EACH and EVERY day for at least 7 days. Making a water change using well aged and aerated saltwater each day before adding the next dose can make a real difference in the treatment.

Terry B