Sick Jawfish - Please help me diagnose

[spike78]

Hey everyone,

I have a blue spotted jawfish that I found this morning with a large patch of scales worn away on one side. The fish has been somewhat reclusive over the past few days, but always came out to eat.

The tank is 200 gal and currently contains 8 chromis, 2 percula, a Lawnmower Blenny, and various inverts. Here is a picture of the patch on his side. Sorry for the algae at the bottom of the glass, it's somewhat tough to reach.

Any ideas on what would cause this or how to address treating it?

Thanks,

Steve

 

[spike78]

Any ideas? Has anyone else seen something like this on their fish?

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

How long have you had him? I remember reading a thread a while back about a lot of people losing these fish to what appeared to be a bacterial infection or something similar.

 

[spike78]

I've had him for about 2 months. The only thing I can think of that may explain this is I saw him accidentally run into my RBTA when chasing some food. I'm wondering if this was caused by a sting?

 

[USC-fan]

Could be. How deep of sand bed do you have?

 

[spike78]

I have about 5" of sand bed. He has burrowed out a rather large den beneath one of my rock islands. The door to his burrow is through a hole in the rock. Do you think this may be irritation from rubbing against the rock?