Sick brownbird wrasse turning pink!

[squealy]

I've had a large brownbird wrasse in my 20 gal QT for about 3 weeks now. Initially had a bit of ich so I dosed with cupramine. She was fine until 2 days ago when she started breathing more heavily after swimming around. I noticed one spot on her fin. Today she is much more short of breath, and I noticed that behind her pectoral fin, and on her face, there is a definite pinkish /reddish color. There is a postage stamp sized area behind her fin which was not there yesterday. Copper level is .5, ammonia about .1 Ph is good.

I have been having what I think is a diatom bloom in the tank as the water has been a bit brownish.

Any ideas? I am going to do a major water change and I am thinking about dosing with an antibiotic. She is a beautiful fish and has tgone downhill over the past 2 days.

Thanks.

 

[ACBlinky]

Can you get a picture, and post it in the disease forum? It does sound like it might be something bacterial -- reddening patches of skin doesn't sound good.

Definitely do a water change (try to stress her as little as possible throughout the process), and treat the water with Prime or Amquel to neutralize the ammonia.

I wish you the best, they are lovely fish and I hope she gets better.

 

[squealy]

I will try to post a picture tomorrow. I just did a 75% water change and she didn't freak out. The redness seems a little better. Could it be that brownbirds change color when they're stressed like a lot of other fish?

 

[ACBlinky]

It's a distinct possibility. Do the pink areas have red borders, or look raw in any way, or are they just a lighter colour than the rest of her?

 

[squealy]

The pinkish areas on the body were not raw or ulcerated. They appear to be much better after a 75% water change. The area where the side fins meet the body appear redder than I remember and look inflamed. She had no outward signs of ich. I started some maracyn 2 today and will see how she does.

Thanks for your concern. I'll let you know how she does.

 

[Macimage]

What are your nitrate & nitrites and test results in the qt tank?

Joyce