???Sick clown..pics included

[makoJ]

Hi everyone. I need your help. Ive searched the forum and nothing seems to match up with what my clown has. I've had her for about 2 years. I did combine tanks about 3-4 weeks ago and there was some bickering (never fighting) as everyone sorted out their territories but thats all over now. I am wondering, though, if it is an infected injury at this point.

Tank Specifics:
75g reef
2 175w MH 12ks, 2 VHO actinics
LifeReef Skimmer
All readings are undetectable
All the other fish are doing great, no sign of sickness

Symptoms:
-2 days ago I noticed a growth on her gill that looked like cauliflower. Clown acting normal.

-Yesterday the growth was gone. There was some swelling and what looked like a tiny abrasion where it had been. Clown acting normal.

-Today, I wake up and find this. It looks like the white stripe where the growth was is 'melting' off. She wont eat and is staying really close to her frogspawn.

I'll have my husband take a better pic when he gets home, Im not very talented with the camara yet..lol.

Thanks!

 

[makoJ]

Here are some better shots:

My husband is running out right now to buy a UV sterilizer and some carbon to protect the other fish, but what can we do to help this one?

Im getting my 6g JBJ set up for her as a hospital tank just in case, but I still dont know what to treat for. Please Help!

 

[jeffbrig]

Sloughing skin is a common symptom of Brooklynella. Do a search, compare pics to what you see on your fish. If it's Brook, you need to do formalin dips.

 

[david252]

I'm no expert but it looks like it could be Lymphocystis (cauliflower disease). Apparently a viral infection that usually "looks worse than it is" - whatever that means as according to my book it is "rarely fatal"! Reckons good water conditions & minimum stress & usually fish will fight it off. Also recommends freshwater dip may help but no proprietary Rx available.

Hope this helps but as I've said - I'm no expert & not 100% sure of diagnosis but came accross this when looking for info on how one of my clowns died after transferring to new tank - had no symptoms, no spots etc - just went off food & 24hrs later was daed (had been in new tank 2 weeks & water parameters all ok).

Hope you have better luck than I did