Wound(?) on Side of Butterfly

[Itchy Trigger]

I've got a small batch of fish in QT right now, including a saddleback butterfly. When they first came in, a smaller raccoon butterfly was harassing this one. I saw him pecking at the saddleback's side pretty incessantly. So I removed the raccoon to his own tank. I've since noticed this little spot/wound on the side of the saddleback. He hasn't eaten since arrival about a week ago (at least I haven't seen him eat) while the other fish in there are eating voraciously. He's not acting terribly stressed or anything; just not eating and he has this ding on his side. Could this be an infection of the wound? Should I treat with something? Or just keep the water clean and leave it alone. No other fish are bothering him at all now.

 

[Newsmyrna80]

If this is where the other fish was pecking at him then I would say it's a result if that. How long have you had them?

 

[SDguy]

I would do extra water changes, and see how things go for a day or two. If no improvement, or worse, immediately start a braod spectrum antibiotic.

 

[Itchy Trigger]

Thanks. Yes that's where the other fish was pecking him. I'm doing daily water changes now and will continue. If it's not improved by Monday will dose with antibiotic. Metronidazole is part of my standard qt protocol and I have that on hand. Or would maracyn 2 be a better choice?

 

[Itchy Trigger]

Unfortunately it looks a little worse today - slightly swollen, spread a little wider and definitely pink/red at the center. Dropped a dose of metronidazole in there. Hopefully that will help. Fingers crossed.

 

[Itchy Trigger]

 

[Newsmyrna80]

Given that he hasn't eaten in a week you may be looking at a bacterial infection. What have you been trying to feed him?

 

[Itchy Trigger]

Mysis shrimp. Other fish are gorging on it while he avoids it. I'm treating with metronidazole now, which is the only antibiotics I have on hand. Would anyone recommend something different?

 

[SDguy]

Kanamycin is a good choice.

 

[Itchy Trigger]

Thanks. Will see if I can find some today... I know my local shop has Erythromycin and Furan, so one of those will be the backup. Gotta get something in there because the infection is looking worse by the day. Getting really ugly today. :mad2:

 

[tylersarah]

I'd use Erythromycin, is it eating anything? That's a really concerning sign.

 

[Itchy Trigger]

Yes erythromycin is what I got. He's not eating, no. And not looking good. Breathing hard and the wound is really swollen and gnarly looking. Will do daily water changes and keep dosing the em. Hopefully I'm not too late to save him.

 

[Itchy Trigger]

Well once again, disaster strikes in my QT. Just went to check on the butterfly to see if the erythromycin was having any effect. Found him dead. And what's worse, now the banner fish that is in with him has red splotches on his face and side and is swimming as though he's in a daze. I immediately moved all fish to my other quarantine tank which was set up and running with clean new water in it and drained the one they were in. Is there a chance that somehow the antibiotic burned or otherwise hurt the fish? Other than the saddleback, the other fish all looked great and were eating voraciously. Now I fear the banner fish will be dead by morning. Is this some other sort of contagious disease that the butterfly brought in? Hopefully my morning update will be more positive.

 

[Itchy Trigger]

Banner fish dead.

 

[Newsmyrna80]

Im am so sorry for your loss. Given the timeline and the red spot I'm afraid they may have had uronema. That was actually my first thought but this disease rarely strikes species other than chromis'. If there are any other fish that shared that tank or if you cross contaminated materials between QTs the other fish may have been infected.

 

[Itchy Trigger]

Uronema again??? This stuff comes in with every order I put in seemingly. I give up.

 

[tylersarah]

The good news is that you had them in QT and didn't harm the main tank's fish population. I would look into a different source for fish.

 

[Newsmyrna80]

Uronema again??? This stuff comes in with every order I put in seemingly. I give up.

Are you using the same QT as the previous fish?

 

[Itchy Trigger]

The quarantine tanks were all sterilized and completely dried after that last experience. The two 10g tanks I use for TT were dry for at least three weeks before these fish were added.

 

[Newsmyrna80]

Did you get the fish from the same store as the last batch that had uronema?