Yellow watchman goby lost colors, dead flesh? Survivable?

sikpupy · 02/19/2009, 11:49 AM

My yellow watchman decided t otake a trip into the overflow after I told him not to (yellow gobys just dont listen). When I plucked him out, he was not moving. He was breathing but not moving. I turned off the pump and dropped him into the tank and he seeemed to settle to the bottom. When I got home 8 hours later from work, he was breathing and swimming a little but not nearly as active as when I first got him.

Facing left, his colors looked fine so I was thinking that he just needs some rest. I was feeding the fish and a few got close to the goby. The goby sarted swimming around and when he turned to the right, there was a small streak under his belly, from the butt towards the tail that was pink/tan/human flesh colored. I looked closer and could also see that his tail, from the start of the fin (where it attaches to the body), going up the body about a 1/16"-1/8" was also white/human fleshy colored. I would assume that this would have been from being pressed in the overflow suction tube and starving him of oxygen?

So, now my question is, will it get better? Will his tail drop off? What about the part under neath his belly then?

I know it is hard to say without pictures but I am at work right now. I can get some when I get home.

Sk8r · 02/19/2009, 11:55 AM

I'd say check your salinity and alkalinity (s/b 8.3) and keep him in the best water you can provide and he has a chance. If he shows any sign of infection, get him to qt and treat, but not unless it shows infected.

sikpupy · 02/19/2009, 12:03 PM

Thanks sk8tr, will do.

My other question could go like, should I keep him in the DT so he HAS to move around, working the bad areas to get things circulated or keep him in the sump quiet and not moving till things heal? He does not move a lot in the DT, bt, enough every now and then.

Amoore311 · 02/19/2009, 12:47 PM

I wouldn't worry TOO much about the discoloration.

I've seen my YWG turn Bleach White before. Then the next morning he was back to vibrant yellow.

Take it easy and go by sk8r's advice. Keep an eye on the area, and remove him to QT if needed.

Fish are pretty resilient various forms of injury, as long as infection doesn't set in. My yellow tang got a 2" razor gash up the side on his body from my Powder Blue when I first introduced him. It healed up completely in only 2 weeks.

sikpupy · 02/19/2009, 02:38 PM

Cool thanks. Uhm, what does the start of fish infection look like? I think I can imagine but you all could help me paint a clearer picture, thanks.

Amoore311 · 02/19/2009, 02:42 PM

Just like human infection really. Possibly swollen, looks relatively sore, possible redish color too which would signal irritation.

sikpupy · 02/19/2009, 02:44 PM

Thanks Amoore, guess he is doing okay so far then. Looks just like a reguler fish but with no color. Only been a day but will have to keep an eye on him.

Amoore311 · 02/19/2009, 03:09 PM

Yeah don't worry about it. Like I said, mine has done it before and just changed back when he felt like it. He turned out A-Ok.

Here's a picture for you of him now:

02/19/2009, 11:49 AM	#1
sikpupy Moved On Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 1,431	Yellow watchman goby lost colors, dead flesh? Survivable? My yellow watchman decided t otake a trip into the overflow after I told him not to (yellow gobys just dont listen). When I plucked him out, he was not moving. He was breathing but not moving. I turned off the pump and dropped him into the tank and he seeemed to settle to the bottom. When I got home 8 hours later from work, he was breathing and swimming a little but not nearly as active as when I first got him. Facing left, his colors looked fine so I was thinking that he just needs some rest. I was feeding the fish and a few got close to the goby. The goby sarted swimming around and when he turned to the right, there was a small streak under his belly, from the butt towards the tail that was pink/tan/human flesh colored. I looked closer and could also see that his tail, from the start of the fin (where it attaches to the body), going up the body about a 1/16"-1/8" was also white/human fleshy colored. I would assume that this would have been from being pressed in the overflow suction tube and starving him of oxygen? So, now my question is, will it get better? Will his tail drop off? What about the part under neath his belly then? I know it is hard to say without pictures but I am at work right now. I can get some when I get home.

02/19/2009, 11:55 AM	#2
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	I'd say check your salinity and alkalinity (s/b 8.3) and keep him in the best water you can provide and he has a chance. If he shows any sign of infection, get him to qt and treat, but not unless it shows infected. __________________ 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%.

02/19/2009, 12:47 PM	#4
Amoore311 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Ulster County, NY Posts: 2,521	I wouldn't worry TOO much about the discoloration. I've seen my YWG turn Bleach White before. Then the next morning he was back to vibrant yellow. Take it easy and go by sk8r's advice. Keep an eye on the area, and remove him to QT if needed. Fish are pretty resilient various forms of injury, as long as infection doesn't set in. My yellow tang got a 2" razor gash up the side on his body from my Powder Blue when I first introduced him. It healed up completely in only 2 weeks. __________________ 30 Gallon FOWLR 2004-2006 90 Gallon LPS Reef 2006-2008 180 Gallon SPS Reef 2008-20012 100 Gallon Custom Rimless Mixed Reef 2012-2014 29 Gallon Biocube Reef! Current Current Tank Info: 29 Gallon Biocube, StevesLED Upgrade, Neptune Apex

02/19/2009, 02:42 PM	#6
Amoore311 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Ulster County, NY Posts: 2,521	Just like human infection really. Possibly swollen, looks relatively sore, possible redish color too which would signal irritation. __________________ 30 Gallon FOWLR 2004-2006 90 Gallon LPS Reef 2006-2008 180 Gallon SPS Reef 2008-20012 100 Gallon Custom Rimless Mixed Reef 2012-2014 29 Gallon Biocube Reef! Current Current Tank Info: 29 Gallon Biocube, StevesLED Upgrade, Neptune Apex

02/19/2009, 03:09 PM	#8
Amoore311 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Ulster County, NY Posts: 2,521	Yeah don't worry about it. Like I said, mine has done it before and just changed back when he felt like it. He turned out A-Ok. Here's a picture for you of him now: __________________ 30 Gallon FOWLR 2004-2006 90 Gallon LPS Reef 2006-2008 180 Gallon SPS Reef 2008-20012 100 Gallon Custom Rimless Mixed Reef 2012-2014 29 Gallon Biocube Reef! Current Current Tank Info: 29 Gallon Biocube, StevesLED Upgrade, Neptune Apex

02/19/2009, 12:03 PM	#3
sikpupy Moved On Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 1,431	Thanks sk8tr, will do. My other question could go like, should I keep him in the DT so he HAS to move around, working the bad areas to get things circulated or keep him in the sump quiet and not moving till things heal? He does not move a lot in the DT, bt, enough every now and then.

02/19/2009, 02:38 PM	#5
sikpupy Moved On Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 1,431	Cool thanks. Uhm, what does the start of fish infection look like? I think I can imagine but you all could help me paint a clearer picture, thanks.

02/19/2009, 02:44 PM	#7
sikpupy Moved On Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 1,431	Thanks Amoore, guess he is doing okay so far then. Looks just like a reguler fish but with no color. Only been a day but will have to keep an eye on him.