I have a sick clown fish and I'm not sure what to do

RVAPix · 01/18/2017, 05:23 PM

I have had my tomato clown for about 2 years after having the whole setup given to me by my brother. I did a 25% water change and scrubbed the tank last night and noticed that he had a small "fuzzy" growth on his side behind his fin. He has been swimming and eating normally. I checked on him this morning and it had spread closer towards his back. I just got home from work and it has spread even more. I was told I should NOT medicate for about 2 days to allow the systems biology to do its thing. And after the 2 days to do another partial water change and add melafix. I have never had to deal with a sick fish, and I feel like waiting 2 days is too long at the rate it's spreading. I don't know what I should do. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!
I should add: the clown is the only fish in the tank and I have had the water tested which was fine.

Percula9 · 01/20/2017, 12:25 PM

Melafix will not work.Your fish looks like it has clown fish disease also known as Brooklynella.It kills fast unless treated.Treatment with a fresh water bath and then quarantined and treated with formalin.Who ever told you not to medicate doesn't know what they're talking about.I hope your fish is still alive.

MMacro · 01/20/2017, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Percula9

Melafix will not work.Your fish looks like it has clown fish disease also known as Brooklynella.It kills fast unless treated.Treatment with a fresh water bath and then quarantined and treated with formalin.Who ever told you not to medicate doesn't know what they're talking about.I hope your fish is still alive.

+1
I would dip in methyline blue and treat with malachite green in a seperate quarantine tank followed by 3-4 24 hour treatments of prazipro.

Percula9 · 01/20/2017, 01:54 PM

Prazipro is for flukes,tapeworms type parisites.It will have no effect on Brooklynella.Look up treatment for this disease.

Sk8r · 01/20/2017, 02:27 PM

Set up a plain bare tank with filtration, aeration and heater, light not necessary, no carbon black in the filter (use floss). Measure the water carefully, because dosage depends on accurate water volume. Draw a fill line on this hospital tank to keep it that way. Do the recommended treatment for brook. And cross your fingers. this disease will not wait.

MMacro · 01/20/2017, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Percula9

Prazipro is for flukes,tapeworms type parisites.It will have no effect on Brooklynella.Look up treatment for this disease.

I know...
I recommend to use it to treat any underlying diseases that the fish might have since it doesn't seem like it was quarantine properly.

RVAPix · 01/20/2017, 04:50 PM

Thank you so much for the replies. I will go out now and get some methyline blue and pray that it helps. I've never had a fish get sick before so this is all new. The melafix stopped the spreading, but the area looks much worse so I knew something wasn't right. I just hope I can save him.

01/18/2017, 05:23 PM	#1
RVAPix Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 3	I have a sick clown fish and I'm not sure what to do I have had my tomato clown for about 2 years after having the whole setup given to me by my brother. I did a 25% water change and scrubbed the tank last night and noticed that he had a small "fuzzy" growth on his side behind his fin. He has been swimming and eating normally. I checked on him this morning and it had spread closer towards his back. I just got home from work and it has spread even more. I was told I should NOT medicate for about 2 days to allow the systems biology to do its thing. And after the 2 days to do another partial water change and add melafix. I have never had to deal with a sick fish, and I feel like waiting 2 days is too long at the rate it's spreading. I don't know what I should do. Any help would be greatly appreciated!! I should add: the clown is the only fish in the tank and I have had the water tested which was fine.

01/20/2017, 02:27 PM	#5
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Set up a plain bare tank with filtration, aeration and heater, light not necessary, no carbon black in the filter (use floss). Measure the water carefully, because dosage depends on accurate water volume. Draw a fill line on this hospital tank to keep it that way. Do the recommended treatment for brook. And cross your fingers. this disease will not wait. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

01/20/2017, 12:25 PM	#2
Percula9 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Orange County CA Posts: 3,819	Melafix will not work.Your fish looks like it has clown fish disease also known as Brooklynella.It kills fast unless treated.Treatment with a fresh water bath and then quarantined and treated with formalin.Who ever told you not to medicate doesn't know what they're talking about.I hope your fish is still alive.

01/20/2017, 01:54 PM	#4
Percula9 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Orange County CA Posts: 3,819	Prazipro is for flukes,tapeworms type parisites.It will have no effect on Brooklynella.Look up treatment for this disease.

01/20/2017, 04:50 PM	#7
RVAPix Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 3	Thank you so much for the replies. I will go out now and get some methyline blue and pray that it helps. I've never had a fish get sick before so this is all new. The melafix stopped the spreading, but the area looks much worse so I knew something wasn't right. I just hope I can save him.