Valentini with red mouth fuzz

[pedromatic]

I have a Valentini Puffer - Canthigaster valentini with strange fuzzy red growth around its mouth. It looks like algae and at times has been both green and red, but for a while now it has been just red. I've tried Melafix and FW dip, but neither has helped. The fish is behaving normally, though it seems to have some difficulty eating it has a good appetite.

Has anybody seen anything like this and what the heck can I do about it. This has been going on for a few months now.

 

[gasman059]

Re: Valentini with red mouth fuzz

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10126241#post10126241 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pedromatic
I have a Valentini Puffer - Canthigaster valentini with strange fuzzy red growth around its mouth. It looks like algae and at times has been both green and red, but for a while now it has been just red. I've tried Melafix and FW dip, but neither has helped. The fish is behaving normally, though it seems to have some difficulty eating it has a good appetite.

Has anybody seen anything like this and what the heck can I do about it. This has been going on for a few months now.

My first thought was fungus. In fact, Mouth Fungus isn't a fungus at all, but a kind of bacterial infection. So perhaps antibiotics may be in order. ( Is your tank a FOWLR?)

 

[pedromatic]

( Is your tank a FOWLR?)

No, it's mixed. I've got a BTA, some softies and a few SPS frags. None of the other fish (Anthias, Clown, Gobies) are exhibiting any symptoms. The puffer, except for its mouth, looks perfectly healthy (fins, coloration, eyes).

Is there an antibiotic I can use that's reef-safe? Mix with food maybe. I thought about using that Instant Bandage (I'm not sure what it's called) applied directly to its mouth, its easy enough to catch.

 

[gasman059]

I would qt him-and treat.
I dont know of anything that's reefsafe period!
A while back I was obssesed with a REEFSAFE treatment for ICH so like many others I tried some of the "reef safe " in a smaller reef-complete waste of money-but a great learning experience.
NOSICKFISH to be exact(an RC sponsor)
As far as abx- fishyfarmacy.com very good source. I've used it in a FOWLR back in 2000.

This is stressful for the fish.If the fish is still eating, the best bet is an antibiotic food. Tetra makes one that works well -- just buy the one for bacterial diseases and follow the directions on the bottle. I believ pet'smart sells it if I recall correctly.

 

[lpsluver]

I'd either post on the main reef forum and find someone who knows what it is or post the question to the folks at WetWebMedia (ask the crew a question). Generally not a good idea to treat if you do not know what it is and it sounds like at this point you are only guessing and for a good reason. That is pretty funky. Switching from treatment course to treatment course may stress your puffer out too much. Fenner and/or someone on his crew will be able to help. They have someone who specializes in puffers (Pufferpunk) who may know what this is. Worth a try IME.

 

[Drummond]

I have a Valentini Puffer - Canthigaster valentini with strange fuzzy red growth around its mouth. It looks like algae and at times has been both green and red, but for a while now it has been just red. I've tried Melafix and FW dip, but neither has helped. The fish is behaving normally, though it seems to have some difficulty eating it has a good appetite.

Has anybody seen anything like this and what the heck can I do about it. This has been going on for a few months now.

My Valentini has the same thing..did two Furan-2 treatments with no luck. Did yours get better?

 

[knukles55]

That looks really painful

 

[mrx66699]

Drummm. That op was from 2007

 

[knukles55]

O so now I won't feel bad for saying this but this picture should be on every club on south beach and every hard rock with bold letters atop saying is it worth it taking her home tonight