Phys Trauma F

FAQs on Marine Environmental Disease/Losses: Physical Traumas

Popeye on clown 9/29/16
Good morning! My clown injured her eye as she and her mate were doing the bump and rub.
<Good desc.>
I read on your site about doing a water change(done) and adding Epsom salts and wanted to verify the dosage of 1 tablespoon per 10 gallons.
<Yes; about right and safe...>
I have mushrooms and palm tree corals along with button polyps.
<Should work out for these as well. I will make the obligatory cautionary statement here re allelopathy and the need for regular maintenance to avoid triggering a cascade event>
The other fish are a yellow tang and 2 pajama cardinals. I will have to treat the whole tank (as trying to dislodge mama clown is like trying to reinvent the wheel) and wanted to make sure that the Epsom salts are safe for everyone. Thank you for your time,
Kellie Kyser
So Mote It Be
<Indeed. Bob Fenner>

Re: Popeye on clown 9/30/16
Mr. Fenner, thank you replying so quickly. In your honest opinion, should I just let her heal naturally. She shows no sign of any distress and her eye is clear. I have attached 2 photos. Truthfully, although I read about adding Epsom salts to the tank, I did not see any explanation as to why it would be beneficial other than speeding up the healing process.
<Mmm; as with human use... MgSO4 is a "muscle relaxant" and vasodilator... my thinking (okay, guessing) is that it allows more blood flow... aiding
repair in the highly vascularized areas esp., like fish eyes>
I prefer not to use chemicals and in the 6 years of this tank running, have only used a chemical, PraziPro, once and that was due to what was thought to be a parasite but turned out to be a streamer of algae on tangs barb. I highly valve <and value I hope!> your opinion on this and only want to do the best for my tanks' inhabitants.
<Mmm; seeing these pix; and if this fish, system were mine, I would hold off on actual treatment, salt use. As you've stated, with general good care, nutrition... this fish should heal of its own accord. BobF>
Thank you again,
Kellie Kyser
So Mote It Be
<Still moting?>

Re: Popeye on clown 9/30/16
Thank you sir and, as always, much appreciation for your knowledge and time. Have a wonderful day ��
Kellie Kyser
<And you Kel. B>
So Mote It Be

Re: Popeye on clown 10/7/16
Good morning! Good news! My female clowns' PopEye is completely gone. I wished to share with you the news of her recovery. Thank you for your insight on letting her heal naturally. Have a great day ?
So Mote It Be
<Thank you for this update Kel. Excelsior! Bob Fenner>

Bumps like pimples on Queen Trigger 10/27/13
Hi Bob and Company,
I added a Queen Trigger to an aggressive tank about four months ago. Two months ago it started to develop a bump above his mouth (see photo).
<I see this; and have seen such quite a few times with Balistids>
In researching your site I didn't find pictures with a comparable looking feature, yet I gravitated to the Lymphocystis page.
<Don't think this is viral>
Now there are more bumps and I count as of today that there are four white pimples. The trigger seems a little sluggish compared to his behavior when I initially added him, spending much time in his cave. He doesn't investigate around the tank or pick up rock rubble - behavior I would expect from a trigger that felt well.
<Yes>
I would be grateful for your insight as to the condition, and as to what I should do if anything.
Thank you,
Dave
<Am pretty sure that these whitish areas, and the bump/hump itself are indicative of a growth inside this area... likely resultant from a run-in or several that this fish made early on; with rock, worms, corals... nothing to do really... one could try excising the area, "draining it" as it were; but I'd just wait and hope it heals of its own accord. Bob Fenner>

help diagnosing issue with Wantanabei angel 10/12/12
Hello all,
<Paul>
I bought a female Wantanabei angel last Thursday. I did a dip in MB as per your suggestions, and put it into QT with a few gobies and a Firefish.
Temp is at 80, sponge filter is giving filtration and aeration. It eats well - Mysis, Spirulina, NLS pellets (Thera A) and cut up scallops.
Today,
for the first time, I noticed a lot of grey/brown tissue around its mouth, and two spots on the top side of the rear fin. Any ideas?
<Mmm, send along a well-resolved pic or two please>
Treatments? It is still eating well. Sorry, can't get a photo. Other fish show no signs of problems.
<May just be coloration... perhaps abrasion from capture/netting... I wouldn't "treat" per se. BobF>
Thanks
Paul B.
Re: help diagnosing issue with Wantanabei angel 10/13/12
Bob, photos attached. Best I could do.
Thanks.
Paul
<Yeeikes! This fish is extremely damaged... as prev. stated, likely during/via collection, handling. If will highly likely perish. I'd be contacting your source and asking for credit/replacement. Bob Fenner>

Strange air bubble in puffer 2/20/12
Bob, I need your expertise. This morning I woke up and noticed my puffer has a HUGE air bubble on it's side. See the attached picture.
<I see this>
No new fish have been added. Water quality in check. The only thing different is that I fed a crayfish last night. Could this possibly be the cause?
<Mmm, not likely...>
Does the air bubble have to be popped?
<Yes I would... hold the fish in a damp/wet towel (or have someone assist you), take care not to be bitten (really hurts)... use a fine needle to puncture. Bob Fenner>

Re: Acclimation Question... Angel disease 2/20/12
Bob:
Update on the QT. I am attaching three photos,
<MUCH too large. Your email was almost automatically junked>
and can take more if necessary. I have acquired these fish on Friday, and I noticed on Sunday that the Majestic had what looked like a small cut on his head. I do not recall this before, but did not look super hard as I did not want to scare the fish in the first 24 hour period. I am almost positive this was not there before hand. So here is a description: It looks like an open sore. Today an open sore with white jelly on it. I am not sure if it is just a cut, and the fish's natural way of coping with it, or a fish disease.
<... looks like mucus... from damage to the body>
Background: I gave the fish a 10 minute ph and temp adjusted freshwater/ Methylene blue bath before putting them in QT. The fish are the following. 4 Green Chromis, Emperor Angel, Neon Wrasse, and a Majestic Angel. I had the tank separated to the point where the Emperor would stay on one side, but the Majestic angel kept going to the same side s the Emperor. Part of me wonders if the Emperor angel did this to him. They are now completely divided in the QT Tank. The Majestic has still not eaten. All other fish are eating.
So for my first observation it looked like a white spot as if the angel scrapped against something.
<Likely>
Today the white spot had volume and texture to it. As I was taking the photo, the white gelatinous came off the fish as he was moving around. I believe he was getting scared by my presence which is typical of this specific fish. The three photos are the following.
Fish with white spot, fish without the white spot, and the white spot pictured on a brown background.
What is your opinion on how to proceed with this fish.
Thanks in advance for all the help.
Sincerely,
Nick
<... routine processing bath to the main tank... See WWM re. B>

Achilles Tang with a lesion on it's scalpel. 2/20/12
Hello. I would appreciate your assistance identifying a lesion on my Achilles Tang. I have searched WWM and the web but I cannot find a similar lesion. I received him in the mail 19 days ago after years of research. I used the transfer/bucket method to rid him of crypto by transferring him five times over 12 days from a 29 gallon tank to a 25 gallon tote using a clear container to capture him with the least amount of stress. I treated twice with PraziPro for 2-3 days. I then placed him in an established 75 gallon quarantine tank with one Clarkii clownfish on the twelfth day. He appeared healthy, active and ate well, progressing from macro algae to Nori rubber-banded to rock and now is taking Nori from a clip. On day 17, I noticed a lesion around his left scalpel.
It is raised as shown here.
<I see this>
The day before I had had my hand in the tank collecting some loose macro algae, so I could have spooked him into injuring himself. He appears otherwise healthy, continuing to be active and eat well.
<Yes; this is a physical trauma... have seen quite a few times... the "tang" getting caught or snagged on something, tearing the point of insertion, articulation>
All parameters are perfect. The lesion looks like this today (day 19).
I see minimal changes though I obtained a better picture by using a tripod.
I don't want to stress him with unnecessary treatments, but I would appreciate any assistance in identifying this lesion and look forward to any recommendations for treatment. I can do dips, set up a hospital tank or treat in my QT. Thank you for your time.
Timothy
<The only "thing for this" is time going by and general good care.
Sometimes the lateral process regenerates, but more often then not, it is gone. Bob Fenner>

Re: Achilles Tang with a lesion on it's scalpel. 2/20/12
Thank you.
Timothy
<Welcome. BobF>

Swim bladder issue     2/20/12
Hello Again Bob and crew!
<Mike>
Took a chance on a couple borbonious Anthias and one is suffering from swim bladder issues. He's trying to get down but he's stuck on top. Looks bloated with red splotches on body around bloating, is there anything that can be done to help him?
<Mmm... I'd needle this fish... via the cloaca... BobF>
Thanks,
Mike Snyder
www.thecoralshop.com
Re: Swim bladder issue     2/20/12
Thanks Bob, another reminder of why I'm in the coral biz! A small syringe work?
<One for diabetes... the needle only>
I appreciate you setting me straight, I've been told it will correct itself to hold fish vertical mouth up in water and slowly squeeze belly..
<Don't do this!>
Just want to give poor fellas his best shot at making to my clients 360g system!
<Understood. BobF>
Thanks!
Mike
Re: Swim bladder issue; collecting damage and Anthias hlth. f's    2/21/12
Hi Bob,
Sorry to bother you again! Helped the one down into the rocks and he's been hiding ever since, haven't tried to get him out to puncture the bladder.
Both are already accepting Mysis shrimp, can the fish regulate without help or is it a given this will have to be done.
<Physoclistous fishes do have mechanisms for filling/emptying this hydrostatic (and more) organ... but ones that are so damaged as to have trouble, floating, often are much aided by needling. This is a stock procedure in the collecting of many tropical fishes at depth>
On a lighter note was hoping you'd be out for Reefstock next month, going to get on Jake to get you back out here!!!
<Ahh! I have a new "pitch" (presentation) on setting up a new collecting station in Fiji... including a whole bunch of needling...>
Thanks!
Mike
<And you. BobF>

Marine Water Change Mishap 11/2/11
Good Evening WetWeb Crew,
<Good morning Wayne>
First of all, like most users of your site, I find it to be the most comprehensive and helpful utility available when it comes to aquatic issues. So kudos to you.
<Thank you. Glad you enjoy/use.>
On to my issue--I recently (three days ago) installed a sump and overflow on my setup and when I added the RO water (about 20-30 additional gallons)
I think I forgot to mix salt into a bucket or two. I'm still not sure what I did, but either way the SG plummeted (down to about 1.019 or 1.02 from 1.025 ish).
<Yikes.>
Consequently the water became cloudy and all of my corals refuse to open or feed, and a couple of them look like they are starting to deteriorate.
<Osmotic shock.>
I have continually raised the sg until it's back to normal levels, but everybody is still mad or dying. I guess I'm trying to figure out which, and what if anything I can do.
<Other than what you have done, nothing more but wait/see.>
All of my fish and inverts are fine. Here are the details of my setup:
75 gallon
two 250 watt MH
actinic supplement lighting
20g sump w fuge, holding Chaeto and sand bed, fluorescent light 24 hours skimmer
Zoanthid polyps
devils hand
daisy polyps
Goniopora
torch
Stylophora
Acropora
candy cane (looks like it's receding)
chili coral
bubble tip anemone (closed tight)
crocea clam (open and fine)
arrow crab
coral beauty
Clarkii's clown
PJ cardinal
watchman goby
Coris wrasse
I just did a third test and my levels are
NO3 8ppm
Ca 400ppm
KH 161 ppm
pH 8.0
PO4 20 ppm (I know this is high but everything has been thriving for some time at this level)
Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated--hopefully I'm needlessly concerned.
<Not much you can do here Wayne, you have corrected the problem, now hope for the best.>
I've had this setup for going on three years with no problems running only a skimmer for filtration.
Thank you!
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
Wayne

Noisy Pump 4/12/11
Hello again Crew,
<Hi Dave>
Hope you are having a great year.
<As good as it's going to get...Thank you.>
I recently have ran into a problem with the Mag 3 pump on a Remora Pro skimmer. I emailed Aqua C and while I wait for them to reply I thought I would get your thoughts on the matter too if you don't mind.
<Do not mind a bit. I believe the Remora Pro comes with the Rio 1400 as standard equipment from AquaC. If you chose the Mag 3 option, that is fulfilled by the dealer and is packaged separately from the skimmer.>
The pump has recently began to rattle a lot, and it seems to be stressing the fish. I lost a small blenny that went through the teeth of the skimmer and down into the pump. I took the skimmer box off when I replaced the fish so I could keep the cover and sponge prefilter on the pump to protect it. Last night I cleaned the tank and did a water change. I pulled the pump and cleaned it out just to be sure. When I put it back on it rattled like crazy and the new blenny went insane, once again trying to get into the skimmer box. I assume it thought it was an escape route. Do you think I should try to replace the pump?
<It may be just an imbalanced/damaged impeller or a faulty bushing. Look at the pump manual and
insure that the impeller assembly is put together properly.>
If so, would it be beneficial to upgrade to the Mag 5?
<AquaC does not recommend using the Mag 5 unless you install a ball valve between the pump and the skimmer.
Without doing this, the skimmer will likely overflow. Would be best to ask Jason this question at AquaC.>
I would like to be able to use the skimmer box.
<Meaning the surface skimmer?>
I think it makes a big difference.
<It does as most oils etc are at the surface of the water.>
Are there any other remedies you have dealt with for this particular situation?
<As above.>
I can always find ways to cover the pump, but in the long run it won't help if it is stressing the fish. I have heard good things about the Eheim pumps, and the 1250 is rated at 317gph. Would that be an acceptable change. I know I couldn't use the skimmer box anymore, but the health of the fish has to come before the appearance of the tank(though usually that goes hand in hand).
<Again, I would direct these questions to Jason and I will forward a copy of this query to him as well.>
Thanks so much for all of your help. The tank looks great thanks to the advice of you ladies and gentlemen.
<You are most welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
-Dave
Re Noisy Pump 4/12/2011
Dave/James,
<Jason>
I got that one response sent a couple of hours ago, this is probably redundant. I will paste my answer below:
Hi David,
Thanks for the message, I can help you out. That is some really strange behavior, I've never heard of or witnessed anything like that. If the pump is rattling or vibrating loudly, it could be that the impeller got damaged and it's spinning in a weird way. It's hard to say whether this really affects the fish, but I would speculate that it must affect their stress level to a certain extent.
One solution I can think of would be a DIY mod to your prefilter - you can try gluing or clamping a piece of fiberglass window screen material to the inside of the prefilter teeth. This will prevent fish from getting inside, and should preserve the surface skimming functionality of the box. You can buy this inert screen material at your local hardware store and it is easy to work with.
Upgrading to the Mag 5 will give you more water flow and foaming performance, so if your current pump isn't capable of producing a lot of wet foam, you would probably see a boost in overall performance with the stronger pump. However, if your current pump is already capable of filling the cup with wet foam, I wouldn't recommend upgrading. The Mag 5 is the same size as the 3, so it can be used with the same prefilter box.
I have attached a picture of a clear prefilter box on a Remora Pro with the Mag 3. This will give you a better idea of how it's supposed to look when installed. Let me know if you have any other questions and I can help out.
<Thanks Jason, much appreciated. I did not see any attachment though.
James (Salty Dog)>
Jason Kim
President
AquaC, Inc.

Swimbladder prob.? 4/1/11
Hi,
<Howsit?>
How are you today?
<Fine, a bit bushed>
I have just acquired an Ornate Angel (Genicanthus bellus) but she seems to have a buoyancy problem. She is constantly pointing upwards, bobbing up and down and then lying on her side a lot.
Breathing is fast but not rapid. LFS had the fish for 3 weeks with no problems but today when I went to collect her she took a "bad turn"
<How long have you had this fish?... What other livestock is present?>
Since I had travelled quite a distance, specifically to get this fish, the LFS owner just gave her to me to see if she would recover. She is now in an isolation tank by herself and I could see that she seems to be healthy in all respects other than buoyancy.
Question is, if this is a swimbladder deflation problem can the fish re-inflate the swimbladder, is there anything I can do to assist her?
<Mmm, not much directly... Good care, low lighting... patience>
Also, LFS says she was fine these past 3 weeks only today exhibiting any problems so could this be some sort of infection?
<? Got me... most such issues are traumas due to improper collection, needling... Some are "gas" issues in the gut due to improper foods, gut blockages... some are resultant from tumourous growths, gasification/decomposition...>
Is so is there any way to treat without antibiotics (I am in the UK where antibiotics are strictly controlled)
Hoping for some good news.
Regards,
Campbell
<Wish I had some. Bob Fenner>
Re: Swimbladder prob.? 4/2/11
Hi Bob,
<Campbell>
Thanks for getting back to me so quickly.
<Welcome>
I just picked up the fish yesterday and she was immediately quarantined in a tank of her own. This is a bare tank with just a plastic, seawater safe, cave for hiding.
Ordinarily I wouldn't have taken her but since I made the long journey just to get this fish, they are rarer than Hens Teeth here, the LFS gave her to me FOC to see if she'd recover. Looking into the tank this morning I see that she has survived the night, bobbing up and down in her cave. Guess that's something eh?
<Not atypical>
So all lot of TLC and time, got it. Will let you know how it goes.
<Real good>
Thanks again,
Campbell
<Welcome. BobF>

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