Injury or Illness

[laga77]

I have had a hold on a pipefish at the LFS for the past five days. When I went to pick him up today, he has a mark on his side. It was not there two days ago. I cannot tell if it is an injury or some type of illness. When I first saw it, it looked exactly like a small Asterina starfish was stuck on his side. He is in a QT and is eating. This question is also posted in the Disease Section.

[laga77]

Whatever it was on the pipefish probably killed it. He died last night.

[ThRoewer]

Sorry to hear this.
Did it grow? Did you attempt any treatment?

[laga77]

It started looking better, right at the end, almost like it was getting thiner or less dense. I did not treat because I had no idea what it was, and the fish was still eating.

[SamS]

http://fusedjaw.com/diseasehealth/mystery-circles-on-seahorse-solved-watch-out-for-the-asterina-stars/

[laga77]

http://fusedjaw.com/diseasehealth/mystery-circles-on-seahorse-solved-watch-out-for-the-asterina-stars/

Very interesting. I still have the fish in a baggie in the freezer. I will see if that is the case and post results. Thanks.

[laga77]

Definitely not an Asterina starfish. It is a fuzzy black spot that you can barely see through.

[ThRoewer]

The seastar (it's not a fish!) would be long gone and just have caused the initial damage. Bacterial and other infections would have done the rest.

Though with a pipefish, especially with a free swimming species like Duncerocampus, I doubt that a seastar would be able to hitch a ride. Also, unlike seahorses, these pipefish don't have algae growing on them that would attract a seastar.

It may have been the bite of an isopod (Argulus, fish lice) or a coral sting that got infected.
Uronema marinum would also always be an option with open wounds.