Sick Naso

[rkelman]

I bought this Naso about a month ago. He developed what I thought was ich due to mainly the 2 spots you see in the pictures. I started with Copper immediately but as you can see the spots are progressing. Any Ideas? He's otherwise pretty healthy. He doesn't eat much but in a QT that doesn't surprise me. Any idea's / possible treatments? If I lose this fish my wife will be very upset as she's wanted one for a long time and we have waited for one this nice passing up others.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a329/rkelman/mini-IMG_1755-1.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a329/rkelman/mini-IMG_1756-1.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a329/rkelman/mini-IMG_1758.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a329/rkelman/mini-IMG_1759.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a329/rkelman/mini-IMG_1761.jpg

[alprazo]

I'm not completely sure. My guess would be Saprolegnia - This only thing that is off is the blanching halo around the lesions. I had a rabbitfish succumb to this - at least I think. I posted photos - and possible treatment.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1420030&highlight=saprolegnia

First thing I would do is remove the copper - It will reduces the fishes immune system.

If it is lympho, you fish should be fine -- if fungus, you could also try an antifungal. The problem is that most need an acidic enviroment to dissolve in solution. - Try fluconazole.

I would hope that others chime in on thoughts because I am interested in what your fish has.

Good luck

[rkelman]

It does look very similar to what your fish had. This guy has been through a treatment of formalin / malachite green as well. It actually developed while I was still treating. I think I'm going to do some water changes then try an antibiotic. Thanks for the reply.

[kgeorge]

I would love an answer as well on this. I have a sick blue tang with exactly the same looking spots. I have been searching and searching trying to fine out what is is with no luck. At least now I have found someone else that has it. I have it in QT, she is eating great but I haven't treated her yet. Someone please help us!

[rkelman]

I posted in Reef Discussion as well and It was suggested to use antibiotics to try and clear it up. I'm going to get some tomorrow.

[kgeorge]

Ok, PM me if you figure anything out and I will do the same. Thanks!

[Steven Pro]

It does not look like Ich to me. Possibly bacterial or fungal. I would use a furan-based treatment.

[rkelman]

I am doing a large water change now to lower the copper levels. I won't be able to get antibiotics until tomorrow night. He's still eating and seems happy enough for the time being.

[alprazo]

Update on the rabbitfish that died with similar looking lesions. I took a postmortem skin-muscle biopsy, had it processed and stained for fungus. Though there was an inflammatory infiltrate that extended into the superficial muscle, I found no evidence of fungus such as hyphae or spores. The were also no viral changes that I could recognize. I still have the slides if someone out there is familiar with looking at fish skin. I am not.

Again, I would try fluconazole in combo with an anti-bacterial. I think the forma-green may have killed the fungus as evidenced by the rapid changes in the skin lesions of the rabbit fish.

Please let us know what happens with your Naso.

[kgeorge]

I'm seeing all these diferent names of things to use on fish. I've never had any trouble from any of my fish, crypto or a fungus so i'm not familiar with this stuff. Can someone tell me what product to buy (or order since i'm in the middle of nowhere)?

[kgeorge]

^^^bump

[alprazo]

You can find many things at this site. If you have access to a vet or pharmacy; even the medicine cabinet - that works too.

http://www.nationalfishpharm.com

[rkelman]

I picked up some Furan 2 and started treatment last night. Hopefully I start to see some improvement soon. I'll let everyone know.

[kgeorge]

I'm treating with malachite green and formalin. I'm on day two right now. She looks a bit better. I'll report back on changes. Keep posted everyone!

[rkelman]

I haven't noticed any improvement yet. (I haven't checked yet this morning) I have to go pick up another package of Furan2 to continue treatment.

[kgeorge]

Mine is looking much better and is still eating great. I may wait another day or two and see if I need to treat again....

[rkelman]

Well I've dosed the Furan 2 2 times then did a 25% water change then I dosed it again yesterday and its getting better. Here's the pics as of this morning. It turns the water quite green. I'm going to do a 25% water change before dosing today.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a329/rkelman/mini-IMG_1799.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a329/rkelman/mini-IMG_1801.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a329/rkelman/mini-IMG_1802.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a329/rkelman/mini-IMG_1803.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a329/rkelman/mini-IMG_1805.jpg

[rkelman]

You can see some white scars on his bottom too. I hope they fade in time.

[kgeorge]

Mine seems to look a little worse right now. I've done a water change and going to treat it again.....

[marinebarn]

Wow. That's a great recovery. I'm trying Furan 2 on what I think is tail rot. I hope I have similar results.

[rkelman]

He's continuing to look better. He is not eating well though. I have tried soaking the food in garlic and that does nothing. (i've never found it did anything) I hatched some baby Brine Shrimp for him and he did eat some of them but they are pretty small for a 5" fish. Maybe he'll keep snacking on them as time goes on.