Hello all,
Wanted to get some input on these facial sores on my new blue Hippo tang. I suspect an injury followed by bacterial infection, but wanted to see what the community thinks.
This fish has been in my 40 gallon breeder QT tank for 11 days. Salinity 1.023, temp 77F, and ammonia controlled via seeded medium from my DT (including a couple 35% water changes). He is sharing the tank with a Whitetail Bristletooth, which were shipped together from the same vendor. Both have eaten well, have progressively gotten used to me, and have no overt signs of stress or heavy breathing.
Copper Power was brought up to 2.4ppm over 3 days and then maintained at 2.4-2.5ppm since then (Hanna checker). I noticed white protrusions on the Hippo's face bilaterally after about 2 days in QT. The video is from Wednesday last week (day 5 of QT). After a couple days of what seemed like stabilization, the sores have not seemed to improve and have slowly gotten larger. The photos are from today (Monday, day 11 of QT). My thought is that the Hippo injured his face on some cut pieces of PVC while trying to hide (I should sand these down for future cohorts), and now has progressed to a bacterial infection.
Note that from day 1, I have noticed some white spots that I suspect are ich, but am hoping those will be controlled and eliminated through continued copper treatment. Though there is some detritus in the close-up container pics, you can clearly see white spots over the body and fins.
To help with the facial sores, I went ahead with a 90 minute Ruby Reef Rally bath (1tsp/gallon) this morning. And, after a water change, dosed Kanaplex to the copper-medicated QT water. I do have Metroplex on hand, but wanted to hold off given the already medicated water. I may continue with daily RRR baths for good measure.
Do you all concur with this diagnosis and course of action? Any thoughts on what else this may be?
Thanks very much for your time!
-Ben
Wanted to get some input on these facial sores on my new blue Hippo tang. I suspect an injury followed by bacterial infection, but wanted to see what the community thinks.
This fish has been in my 40 gallon breeder QT tank for 11 days. Salinity 1.023, temp 77F, and ammonia controlled via seeded medium from my DT (including a couple 35% water changes). He is sharing the tank with a Whitetail Bristletooth, which were shipped together from the same vendor. Both have eaten well, have progressively gotten used to me, and have no overt signs of stress or heavy breathing.
Copper Power was brought up to 2.4ppm over 3 days and then maintained at 2.4-2.5ppm since then (Hanna checker). I noticed white protrusions on the Hippo's face bilaterally after about 2 days in QT. The video is from Wednesday last week (day 5 of QT). After a couple days of what seemed like stabilization, the sores have not seemed to improve and have slowly gotten larger. The photos are from today (Monday, day 11 of QT). My thought is that the Hippo injured his face on some cut pieces of PVC while trying to hide (I should sand these down for future cohorts), and now has progressed to a bacterial infection.
Note that from day 1, I have noticed some white spots that I suspect are ich, but am hoping those will be controlled and eliminated through continued copper treatment. Though there is some detritus in the close-up container pics, you can clearly see white spots over the body and fins.
To help with the facial sores, I went ahead with a 90 minute Ruby Reef Rally bath (1tsp/gallon) this morning. And, after a water change, dosed Kanaplex to the copper-medicated QT water. I do have Metroplex on hand, but wanted to hold off given the already medicated water. I may continue with daily RRR baths for good measure.
Do you all concur with this diagnosis and course of action? Any thoughts on what else this may be?
Thanks very much for your time!
-Ben