Flukes?? No thanks, I'm having Lymph– 07/16/10 Hello crew! Hope everyone is well today. I am having some concerns with a recent addition to my tank. I recently purchased a Longnose B/F from my local fish store. He came in from HW <I will take it you mean Hawaii> and was in quarantine and in his tanks for about 3 weeks. I had been watching him and checking up on him every few days. He was eating Mysis shrimp just great and was doing well. After bringing him home and acclimatizing him he was added to my DT at night. He is doing great as far as I can tell. Picking away at the live rock, still eating Mysis fine but avoiding any pellet food so far. So my concern is with the little granules that have appeared on him the day after I received him. He has about 3 on his left side. At first I thought they might have actually been sand particles that he got stuck on him but I realize now that after a week that is probably not possible for them to not have fallen off by now. He is showing no signs of discomfort, eyes are clear, gills are fine - normal colour etc, breathing fine, he isn't even scratching or rubbing on anything. So my question is should I be concerned for these? <Concern? Yes. Treatment? No... these appear to be of a viral nature... most often labeled as "Lymphocystis" in hobby circles> Should I just let them fall off eventually hopefully or should I take more drastic measures like QT him or dipping him in a fresh water dip with Meth blue? or Formalin? <No, nah> Any advise would be appreciated. Picture is attached although it is hard to see any detail of such small specks. They are not flat spots, they are like little grains and I can see no movement of them and they have remained in same position on "Bob" since I first saw them. My son came up with the great name...sorry Bob! <No worries. Please read here: http://wetwebmedia.com/virdisidf.htm and the linked files above. The other Bob (Fenner)> Jordan

crop

26/02/10 Stumped.... Forcipiger hlth., troubleshooting
Hi everyone.
<Hi Jay>
I am quite confused about medicating a Long nose Butterfly.
<Ok>
I recently treated my long nose with Quinine Sulfate for Ich and after about three weeks it's finally gone.
<In Quarantine? Or in-tank? If you did this in tank, then the Crypt will not be gone>
From a previous email one of the representatives from WWM recommended that I treat with a product called PraziPro because my Butterfly was flashing (he said, based on what I told him, he probably has gill flukes).
<Ok>
I started treating with the Prazi and ever since then my BF has increased rapid gill movement and twitches a lot.
<Mmmm>
If in fact he did have flukes, I thought the Prazi was supposed to help kill them.....why are they getting worse?
<Are they flukes? If you remove the fish and freshwater dip him, you might see one or both of two things that would give you a better idea: If he stops flashing afterwards, then it is probably flukes. If you can see specks on the base of the dip container (usually white, so a dark dip container might be prudent), then they also could be flukes. Removal of these and placed under a cheap microscope will confirm. If neither of these happen, then it is probably not flukes>.
He has been clear of spots for over two weeks
<Could have just cycled off... the fish may still be infested with Crypt.. in the gills, thus the heavy breathing & flashing>
and I proceeded with the full treatment recommended for QS. Please help!
<Another possibility here... medication in the water can/ does irritate fishes, to the point where they exhibit 'flashing' behaviour. You might find that with the removal of the medication and improved water quality this will ease off>.
Thank you folks
<No problem, Simon>

Re: 26/02/10 Stumped.... Forcipiger hlth.    2/28/10
<Hi Jay>
Yes he is in a 40g quarantine tank.
<Ok>
I am going to lose my long nose, this morning I woke up and his gills are moving very fast and he's just in the middle of the tank gliding in the water.
<Mmm, don't give up hope. What are your tests for ammonia/ nitrite? Is the fish feeding?>
I also have an Auriga BF in the same tank which I previously treated for Oodinium and he is fine but my long
nose is not.
<Mmm, you have been treating for three different things? Likely only one was the cause/ problem here.. a pointer to the fact that correct diagnosis is vitally important to do BEFORE any fishes are medicated>
Seems like ever since I dosed with PraziPro a second time, all things got worse. What do you think?
<I think you have been using too many medications, without certain knowledge of what you are treating. I would remove all with some carbon & a skimmer, keep ammonia/ nitrite down and try to get the fish feeding, see if he can recover while you consider your next step>
I also use baking soda to buffer the water and ever since I put it in, there's like a smoke in the water.
<You've used too much, this will not help the fish breathing - can irritate it. This should precipitate out and the water will clear. . maybe a large water change w/ out the baking soda might be appropriate. I never do this in quarantine anyway, because a higher pH means that any ammonia in the water is in it's more toxic form. Just standard salinity will be fine, maybe in this case lowering it a couple of points might help the fish w/ osmosis>
I can see this in the flow from the filter
under the tank light. Is this unusual?
<Posted. Simon>
Re: 27/02/10 Re: Stumped....   2/28/10
<Hi Jay>
Ok. My nitrite and ammonia are zero.
<That is good news, and makes this much easier to manage>
Both of them were feeding but now only the Raccoon is. The Auriga looks at the food and grabs it but doesn't swallow it.
<Mmm, maybe some damage from the medications..>
I am going to do what you said but I just don't understand why they're breathing fast constantly.
<Why do you have these separated from the main system? Are you some way into a 'fallow' period for crypt? If not, if there is no improvement with the removal of the meds from the system I would consider returning the one
at least to the display>
And they both had one gill closed at certain times. I've done everything I could at this point. Hopefully it's
just the baking soda and it's harmless.
<You might find with the removal of the med from the water and a water change things improve>.
Thank you
<No problem, Simon>
Re: 27/02/10 Re: Stumped....  3/1/10
<Jay>
Yes I'm letting my tank be without any life.
<Ok, don't put the fish back yet then>
And I did remove the meds and that's when I noticed both fish only using one gill to breathe.
<Mmmm>
After a freshwater dip they seem to be full of life for a good day. Then the rapid breathing starts again.
<So the dip provided some relief? This is a clue.. I would dip again,
watch, and see if anything identifiable comes out in the dip container>
The Prazi pro did not work so I am assuming this isn't a fluke.
<Mmmm, maybe>
So the only other possibility this is leaning toward is the start of ich or Velvet right?
<No, there are others... as posted.. incl. the meds themselves, the baking soda..>
I just dosed another of Quinine yesterday morning. Do you think I should keep this up or just skip on the dosing and leave the water be?
<You have not yet diagnosed the problem, and you state these meds have not yet worked, so I would cease for the moment. Your nitrite & ammonia are zero, so you have some time here...I would cease the medications, do the
water change, try to nurse the fish back to health..get it to feed.
Freshwater dip the fish and watch.. if this provides relief then it is likely not crypt or velvet as these are too far embedded for freshwater to have an effect. You may have already treated the initial cause here with your previous administrations. Simon>.

Re: 01/03/10 Re: Stumped.... Forcipiger hlth.  3/2/10
<Hello Jay>
Ok thanks a lot for getting back, I am going to do this now.
<Please write back with your results, Simon>

02/03/10 Re: Stumped. Multiple medications, no diagnosis, not listening, QT tanks. Forcipiger, other BF hlth.
Simon,
<Hello Jay..>
My Raccoon is better and swimming around more. <Good> My Auriga will not eat no matter what I do, the tank was left medicine free like you suggested for three days and no change.
<Impossible. I suggested this on the 26th Feb, and again on the 1st of March. You then dose QS on the 1st of March AFTER I suggest you remove it. It is now the 3rd and you posted this yesterday on the 2nd>.
He's wasting away and I just feel it's something more than malnutrition.
<Yes, the fish is stressed out. It is probably your own actions, NOT some ‘unknown and mysterious pathogen’ causing this. People always want to find some other solution that means it is not their own fault, but invariably there is no other solution. What size is this quarantine tank?>
About five days ago he was eating like a pig then all of a sudden his bones start showing (the time frame in which he went from healthy to unhealthy was unbelievable, I almost felt like I was seeing things). I have tried Mysis, algae sheets, algae tabs, brine shrimp, angel/butterfly formula, Spirulina and omega brine, you name it. He still goes for it but he doesn't swallow it.
<Damage from all the medications you’ve been chucking in, probably. Keep trying to get it to feed, with just Mysis, and try to keep yourself as ‘small’ as possible. A giant hovering over a small QT tank is enough to stress anyone out>
And I also can't understand for the life of me why it still looks like there's smoke in my water. I didn't add any baking soda like you suggest and I STILL have water that looks like someone took a drag of a cigarette and exhaled into my tank, lol.
<? Your own actions.. and a clue as to why the fish is not feeding. Perhaps set up another QT tank with clean water and move the filters and fish over, acclimated>
Is this harmful to the fish? What could it be from?
<You have been using multiple medications...>
My ammonia is zero, nitrite is
zero and nitrate is below 30ppm, ph is around 8 and salinity is at about .019. <1.019, ok for the minute> Any ideas?
<Posted, or perhaps moving the fish back to the display>
After seeing how the fish reacted without medicine
<When? Never. They have not been without medication for any length of time>
I realize that there is definitely something going on. <Me too> So I went ahead and treated with PraziPro again because at this point, all symptoms lead to gill flukes.
<?? Did you freshwater dip these like you were advised to try and check? I told you that chucking medications willy-nilly into the tank could easily be your problem here, and what do you do? You chuck some more in, and not just one but two! Problems are not always ‘unseen parasites or bacteria’ but quite often are the result of aquarists own actions. And you wonder why your water is ‘smoky’. Would you have much of an appetite if the air you were breathing was full of chemicals? Right now you have a starving Butterfly and a mixture of Quinine Sulphate and PraziPro in your tank. This is madness, and a pre-cursor for disaster.>
Since PraziPro is considered a very non-stressful medication I figured it would be ok on the fish.
<But your fish are sick, and you don’t know why. You are taking a ‘crap shoot’ approach here, and this approach more often that not kills fishes. I warned you about this>
Before I did this I went ahead and called the specialist at the company listed on the PraziPro bottle and he was also
convinced we are dealing with gill flukes.
<Did you put one under a microscope and send him a photograph? No. Did you tell him that you have already tried treating with this twice before and it has not worked? I doubt it>.
The fish have no spots, they're not flashing and the Quinine Sulfate did not help any with slowing down gill movement.
<Why would it?>
At this point, the only symptoms are rapid breathing and twitching/darting.
<They will do this anyway in a QT tank because of the stress, especially in the presence of chemicals! It is likely there are no parasites in there, especially with the cocktail of drugs you have been administering>
Simon, after two weeks of these symptoms, by this time I would see some spots or body slime if this was Velvet or Crypt. Right?
<Oh, dear. I repeat my previous advice to you and we’ll see where we go. The biggest danger to this fish here (since ammonia/ nitrite are both zero) is the lack of food. This should be your priority. Fishes often will lose their appetite in conditions of stress and in the presence of meds. You need to remove this stress from the fish and get it to feed, otherwise it will die. It is that simple. Do this by stopping the medications, giving it some more space if possible, maybe moving back to the display via a freshwater dip. I repeat, again, the presence of medication in the water can also show these symptoms on fishes. You are your own worst enemy here. Calm down, think clearly, improve the conditions for the fish and get them to feed>
When my fish had velvet before it's almost like they "go nuts" and after about four days of that they die rather fast. This just doesn't seem to be similar to that of Velvet symptoms.....through my experience anyway. I'd like to have your input again.
<Please stop thinking about parasites, YOU are the problem. This fish needs food. Feed it>.
Thanks so much
<No problem, Simon>
Re: 02/03/10 Re: Stumped. Multiple medications, no diagnosis, not listening, ...
<Jay>
Wow, way to go Simon! With all that pessimism in the last email I feel hopeless and all motivation has gone down the tubes. I guess the thin Auriga will just have to die, I refuse to buy another QT tank.
<I have given you a couple of options that do not involve buying a new tank. Shall I repeat them again? Ok, here we go... 1) Remove the med, improve the conditions and get the fish to feed in QT. 2) Move the fish to the display and get it to feed there.>
I didn't pay enough money for the fish to put more money into another tank. I did everything I could do (for me).
<No, you did not. First, your lack of quarantine in the first place has introduced the parasites, followed by your 'shotgun' approach to treating with various meds without a diagnosis, followed lastly by your failure to take the advice you were given>
Thanks for the input, next time be more optimistic with someone whose asking for your advice.
<Jay, I spent a long time giving you advice here, and was happy to, over a period of days. This advice you have ignored. I have to ask myself, and you, what is the point in coming back for advice time and again if you don't bother to follow it? Am I wasting my time?>
Otherwise, like this particular situation, all goes down the tubes with your showering of negativity.
<Negativity, no. I was trying (in a blunt manner, since you had not listened up to then) to get you to see the truth of what is happening, since tip-toeing around the subject is no good for anyone. I/ we are not here to molly-coddle and be nice to you. We are here to help you with your fish problems.>
Have a good one
<Thank you, Simon>

Holes in head on Yellow Long Nosed Butterflyfish  7/28/09
Hi,
<Good AM, good gosh!>
I have been treating a Yellow Long Nose Butterflyfish from whitespot with copper treatment, which I have found very effective although in the first week it is essential to test the copper level at least three times a day in the first 7 days as it drops very quickly and overdosing is very easy to do and will kill fish in hours.
<Thank you for (re) stating these facts>
Anyway, after two weeks the whitespot seems to have gone but the Yellow Longnose Butterfly now has small holes in his head.
<Resultant from the copper exposure>
Any ideas of what they are would be helpful and hopefully a cure.
<Just good water quality and nutrition as detailed here:
http://wetwebmedia.com/HLLESWCure.htm>
There is also a small about 2inch Copperband in with him which is a new fish I cannot get to eat anything including, brine/mysis shrimp or fresh tuna meat.
PS The salinity is also low 1.010 which by itself did not kill the whitespot.
<The SpG needs to be returned to near seawater strength... as in "good water quality"... Bob Fenner>

Sick Yellow Long Nose Butterfly, env...?    7/25/08 Hello, First I just wanted to thank you for your time! I am new to the hobby, but my tank is not! I have a 110 gallon reef tank I got from a friend, it has been established for 2 years plus. I am in the military and got it from someone within an hour from where I live so the move was painless. The tank tests out good, 0 nitrates, 0 nitrites, 0 ammonia, 8.2 ph, salinity 1.025, phosphates 0, calcium around 550. <Mmm, this is too high... what is your alkalinity, Magnesium concentration?> I have a yellow long nose butterfly ,who even though I say is sick really isn't, he eats fine and doesn't act any different I just want to know if what I see is bad. He has a small brownish spot on his side that looks a little slimy if you will, and at the right angle you can see it very well. <Mmm... might be an injury... but could be due to water quality issues... or a bit of both> He eats great and is constantly looking in the rocks for more food, but, occasionally he rubs himself against the rocks to itch or whatever. Can you shed some light on what you think his illness is? If it will go away on its own then I wont do anything, he is 100% healthy, could it be possibly a bruise? well let me know, there is nothing in my tank that could pick on him, all peaceful fish, 4 false percs, royal Gramma, random gobies. Well, let me know, mike <I'd be reading re the chemical issues mentioned above... Reading re Forcipigers as well... are you familiar with using our search tool, indices? Bob Fenner> Re: Sick Yellow Long Nose Butterfly   7/25/08 my alk is perfect at about 2.7, I just had added too much calcium supplement. <Ahh! What brand? Other components?> I think he injured it on the live rock the first couple of days being too hyper and scared. <Very easily so... and should heal on its own in time if so> Thanks for the quick response, also, are 4 t5 high outputs enough for an open brain, thanks, mike <... Should be... Trachyphyllias can be set up higher if not... BobF> Re: Sick Yellow Long Nose Butterfly... who knows what... induced env. troubles    7/26/08 the calcium supplement is purple up, <... please, stop writing, and start reading... on WWM... Do search before...> I was adding once weekly, but now I know that I only need to add it probably once every 2 or 3 weeks. I am going to not add any for a while to let it go back down, I am also using a supplement that I know you are not a fan of, lol, I think it is white snow or something like that, <... is wall board paste... two li'l Squishies... More disdain for consumers... you> I read in your threads all the time you think it is worthless lol, which is why I haven't used it lately. <Nor your spelling/grammar checker> I am glad to have found your website, it is very nice to be able to get quick responses from experts and not LFS ignorant know it alls lol. Did you get a degree in Marine Biology? thanks again, mike <... Keep reading Mike... and following directions if you want our help. BobF>

Problems With Longnose Butterfly – 04/01/08
Hi,
<<Hello>>
I need help with my Longnose butterfly.........My tank has been running since December and levels are good for Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate.
<<Mmm…I hope “good” means zero, zip, nada…>>
I am in the middle of a hypo-salinity treatment and this butterfly has shown signs of not being able to close his mouth.
<<I think these treatments serve well as “dips” (i.e. – pH adjusted freshwater for a “short term” bath), but I am not a fan of reducing salinity in the display/quarantine tank for extended periods as I feel the stress induced often compounds/creates more issues than the hypo-salinity resolves>>
It seems to want to eat but doesn't know how any more because its mouth is always open. I have had an ich breakout that is why I am in hypo-salinity.
<<In the display? This will do little to nothing in the end (except maybe kill a fish or two), though there are others who may argue differently…better to remove the fishes to quarantine for proper treatment and let the display sit fallow for 6-weeks or more (please read here and among the related links in blue: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ichart2mar.htm )>>
I gave him a fresh water dip to see if that would help as he was flicking around in circles and it seems to have helped with that but still is unable to close his mouth. My tank is 90 gal with a 30 gal sump.
Many thanks,
David Cooper
<<Well David, not a lot to go on here really…it’s hard to say just what may be ailing the Butterfly. It might be some kind of physical trauma, which may resolve on its own…or it may be a reaction to/complications from the hypo-salinity. Regards, EricR>>

Long Nose Butterfly/Acclimation 1/29/08
Good Morning Crew!
<Hello Gans>
I have had a Long Nose Butterfly in my tank for a 6 days now. He is the only fish in a 60gal/LR 6 month old tank. He was doing great for the first 3 days & ate everything I fed him but since yesterday he is just hiding in the same spot among the live rock and doesn't want to come out. When I feed him Mysis he doesn't seem interested anymore. I gave him a clam this morning and didn't seem interested either.
I understand from the material in WWM that these guys take time to adjust etc but I am asking because he was doing great for the first few days but now has become a recluse. I don't see any physical evidence of something going on.
I have increased the temp from 75 to 78 and turned off the MaxiJet 1200 inside the tank that I had for extra circulation.
<No, no, turn that pump back on, these fish need good circulation.>
SG is 1.025 though. I see you recommend 1.020.
Anything else I can try to help him adjust?
<Since their primary source of food is zooplankton, I'd try feeding some Cyclop-Eeze.
I would do a 10% water change with the makeup water adjusted to 1.020. The goal isn't to get down to 1.020 but somewhat lower than 1.025. Keep in mind that these fish require very good water quality. I would suggest using a good chemical media such as Chemi Pure. Do keep a close eye on the fish for signs of parasitical infection and, if present, quarantine and treat immediately. You may want to keep the lights off until this fish hopefully acclimates to it's new surroundings.>
Thanks
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
Gans

Keeping Cleaner Shrimp / Butterfly Possible Ich – 06/28/07
Hi Team
Thanks for the advice you've given in the past. I have a couple (unfortunately) long of questions about new arrivals.
Yesterday I tried my 3rd attempt at a cleaner shrimp.
The first survived a week in QT, the second 24 hours so I decided with the 3rd to go straight to the show tank. After a 2 hour drip acclimatization process the shrimp looked pretty weak. Within an hour of putting into the tank it was dead.
<Mmm, something very amiss here... likely with some aspect of water quality>
My parameters all look good
SG 1.024, PH 8.3, Nutrients undetectable and temp 79F.
Did the Acclimatization take too long starving it of oxygen ?
<Not likely>
The water it arrived in had quite a high PH
(1.027/8)
<Mmm, specific gravity>
hence the 2 hour acclimatization.
<Needs much more time for this accommodation... days>
Any ideas why I don't have much luck with these. BTW its a 90G FOWLR, ETSS reef devil, Fuge, UV. 2 x ocellaris, 1 x Kole tang, Plenty of worms/pods/snails/macro and micro algae etc.
<Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/shrimpdisfaqs.htm
and the linked files above>
My second question is regarding a yellow longnose butterfly that arrived yesterday and is in QT. He looks very happy, although not eating in first attempt - will try again today and expect it to take a while.
<Yes>
Only question is a few very small white spots on its Caudal fin. They look like air bubbles but they don't seem to be moving so more likely a parasite hole ?.
<Maybe...>
If the fish doesn't show any other signs - spots on its body, erratic breathing or movement, sluggishness etc. How long should I wait before ich treatment ?
<Until real symptoms show>
Unfortunately the QT was used for snails previously and has a small amount of substrate/rock/mushrooms. I didn't want to remove this prior to putting the fish in as I was hoping it would help with the biological filter and I thought the rock would help the butterfly feel at home and give it something to pick on.
<I agree. Would have done the same>
There is also an Eheim Classic. This QT has been running for quite a while.
<Good>
I tried taking a photo but the dots are not showing up. I will try again later after cleaning the only exposed side of the QT. The rest is blacked out but there is lighting.
Thanks
-Peter
<Better by far to be cautious, patient in these circumstances... Bob Fenner>

Re: Keeping Cleaner Shrimp / Butterfly Possible Ich    – 06/28/07
I forgot to say, the butterfly is not picking at the live rock in the QT at all. It also ignored some live brine shrimp. It has been in QT for 36 hours.
<The picking is a good sign. BobF>

Re: Keeping Cleaner Shrimp / Butterfly Possible Ich – 06/28/07
Thanks Bob,
Firstly, my typo mistake about SG/PH.
<No worries...>
Sorry. Next time I will try a much longer drip knowing it won't starve of oxygen.
<Ah, good. A thousandth (0.001) difference made up every two days is about right>
Now onto the butterfly. I'm concerned that it doesn't seem to be picking at the rock or showing any interest in live brine shrimp or frozen Mysis.
<Oh, sorry... thought I'd read that it was picking on the rock... The other foods are unnatural... all take a while to "get used to" in captivity... days to weeks>
Is there anything else to look for. I read that an open clam may interest it.
<Mmm, not this species likely... more "worm like" or sessile small crustaceans would be better>
Is this just a regular clam from the supermarket opened with a shank and dropped in ?
Your article on the longnose said red marks on the mouth are a very bad sign.
<Yes>
This one has a small amount of red in the bottom jaw right at the front but I can't tell if this is a mark or its teeth. Its very small. There is also a very small (pin head) red dot further back on his jaw at the side.
Thanks
-Peter
<I do hope your Forcipiger will rally. Bob Fenner>
 

Forcipiger Butterfly Fish With Badly Damaged Mouth/Snout – 06/11/07
I have this Longnose Butterfly fish for last 6 months. Awesome fish, eats out of my hands. I came back home and to my horror I saw that the fish actually has broken its nose.
<<Uh-oh...not good>>
I have no clue how it happened.
<<Obviously some physical trauma...any large and or aggressive fishes in this system with the Butterfly?>>
It hurt to see him like this.
<<Indeed>>
What should I do?
<<Firstly...remove this fish from the display and place in a hospital/quarantine tank>>
Will he heal up, will the nose regenerate?
<<I’m afraid not>>
I believe it must have stuck its nose in a crevice and got startled.
<<Mmm, possibly...or maybe this fish had already received some physical trauma to its snout during capture/transport that has compounded through whatever circumstance (self-affliction or otherwise) in the display tank>>
If he can be saved then I would love too see him survive.
<<Will depend on the severity of the damage and whether or not the fish can still feed, and survive the possibility of secondary bacterial infection>>
Please advise. Here is the link to the forum where I have its pictures posted
http://www.michiganreefers.com/forums/showthread.php?p=389786#post389786
<<This looks very, very, bad...the “break” appears to be very high up on the mouth/snout. As already stated, remove this fish to a tank where it can be isolated/treated/closely observed. Use a scalpel or “very” sharp scissors to remove the dangling snout. You can then carefully swab the wound with iodine, being very careful to keep it out of the fish’s eye and gills. Observe the fish closely for signs of infection (http://www.wetwebmedia.com/infectio.htm) and to determine if the fish can still consume food. If the fish can’t feed (as is my suspicion here), then in my opinion it should be euthanized (http://www.wetwebmedia.com/euthanasiafaqs.htm)>>
Sincerely,
Vick
<<Sorry I don’t have a better prognosis. EricR>>

Forcipiger flavissimus with 'broken' rostrum  4/6/07
Hello Crew-
I have a bit of a dilemma at the moment that I would appreciate your advice on.
<Okay>
This evening as I went by the aquarium to see what a dog was barking at, apparently my butterfly was startled. Hearing an odd noise, to my dismay he had rocketed from the tank and was floundering on the carpet.
<Yeeikes!>
We quickly netted him with the large fine net kept on hand for him, and returned him to the aquarium.
There is only a very small space, perhaps 1 to 1.5 inches that he escaped through. I looked him over once he was back in as they are prone to problems from mouth and fin tears.
<Yes>
Unfortunately it looks like he "broke" his nose. The upper portion of the rostrum appears cracked at the bridge, about the equivalent of where a humans' eyeglasses would sit. He also appears to have a slight tear/swelling at the back of the side of the mouth.
<Not good>
Normally this fish, called Dick after President Nixon, swims with his mouth closed or only slightly open. Now he seems unable to close it to less than 1/8". I normally would take a picture to send, but do not wish to startle him more. He appears active and near his normal routine at the moment.
My next thoughts are to keep an eye on him and move him to a hospital tank if need be tomorrow to medicate with Nifurpirinol or tetracycline. Ultimately I may face the sad task of euthanization but would prefer to abate the issue if possible.
Thank you very much for your advice.
Regards-
Jake
<Only time can/will tell if this fish will survive with this breakage... No surgery or treatment is advised. Bob Fenner>

Bumps on long nosed butterfly   2/13/07
Hi
<Hello>
I have been reading your forum for a year now.  You have helped me with many problems.
<Glad to realize this>
The fish time
<Heeee!>
I got ich I started a QT tank and have used it ever since.
<Good>
I just purchased a long nosed butterfly and blue headed wrasse.  I had them in qt for 3 weeks now.  Everything was great until my wife noticed bumps all over the long nosed butterfly.  I know its not ich but I cant find anything on what it could be.  He is acting normal and eating great.  It almost looks like poison ivy if you ever had that.  My LFS said it could be bacterial and to treat it with Furazone green, which I already had.  
I've been soaking the Mysis shrimp in it twice a day.  The fish is still doing great but looks no different.  Would you know by my description what it could be.
<Mmm, I do suspect this is "nothing catching"... and would not have it deter me/you from placing this Forcipiger>
  Also, I always QT for at least 4 weeks.  If its bacterial can the wrasse catch it.
<Not likely, no>
  My QT readings are all 0 with nitrates at 20.  The tank is a 15 gallon that I do 2-5gallon water changes a week.  Thanks for your time
Dave.
<Nice to make your acquaintance. As stated, I would go forward with permanently placing this specimen. Not likely a condition that will spread, and much more to be gained by moving it. Bob Fenner>

Swollen Long Nose Butterfly  7/19/06
Hello Ladies and Gentlemen,
<Tamara>
I have struck a bit of a problem with my long nose butterfly. He has become quite "swollen" (the best way of describing it) around the top and bottom sections of his body. I have searched your site and have found nothing on this, only swelling around the eyes and mouth (which my fish does not have).
<Yikes... the condition is/can be termed "ascites", bloat... dropsical... many causes... some more primary than others... but something causing fluid to leave cells, tissues... and occupy intracellular space, body cavities...>
I took the fish, with minimal stress, to my fish shop after they said they have never heard of such thing and would need to see it. Consequently he put me on to your website. They do have an enormous amount of experience but said they have never seen anything like it and will look into it themselves further also.
Looking from behind; say the fish is 3mm in width; where it is swollen at the top and bottom, it is more like in excess of 10mm wide - like someone has pumped it full of air! It is still feeding and active - apart from the "swelling" it is behaving fine. Any reply would be greatly appreciated as I am rather concerned. Thank you.
Regards
Andrew Brown
Melbourne
Australia.
<It may be that there is a "simple" bacterial involvement here (from?) that can be thwarted with the application of one/some form of antimicrobial/antibiotic. If this were a very valuable fish or a bunch of them, I would avail myself of injectable material (Chloramphenicol succinate would be my first choice)... For home/hobbyist purposes, it may be that a water-administered product is best... a Furan compound: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/antibiofaqs.htm
and a search on WWM with the name. If this/these are not available locally or easily, do look into what you can get in the way of a gram-negative, broad-spectrum antibiotic... administer at 250 mg. per actual ten gallons of water... change a good part of the water out and replace, re-treat every three days for three treatments... Not in the main/display system... Bob Fenner>

Re: Swollen Long Nose Butterfly   7/22/06
Hi Bob,
<Tamara>
Thank you so much for your reply. My fish shop said your site, and your staff, would be extremely helpful and he was 100% correct. I will track down a antimicrobial/antibiotic today. Just for my own knowledge, will this, or can this affect the other fish in the tank; or is fish specific (i.e.. is it contagious and should expect more fish to become this way?)
<Not able to say, but generally such involvements are "not catching">
Secondly, was there a way of preventing this, or is it just a pure random occurrence?
Thanks so much.
Tamara
<Mostly the latter. One can do their best to provide optimized, stable conditions, good nutrition... and still have such incidents. Bob Fenner>

Longnose Butterfly 30 Jun 2005
I've had my yellow longnose butterfly (Forcipiger flavissimus) for about 3 months.  Initially the only foods he would eat were live black worms and frozen Mysis shrimp.  He started eating other foods pretty quickly, and eats anything I feed the tank except for Cyclop-eeze.  He's always been very active, cruising the tank and picking through the rocks.
I noticed a few days ago that he was staying in the back of the tank more, and swimming around less.  He has been eating less also.  I recently changed my lights from 2 actinic and 2 white to 2 white and 2 50/5o's so the tank is a little brighter.  The only other change in the tank has been the addition of a 2 inch long blue tang.  She doesn't seem to bother the butterfly at all, and neither do any of the other fish.  The butterfly still comes to the front of the tank at feeding time but then doesn't seem very interested in the food.
His color is good, he doesn't look thin, and he looks normal in every way except this change in behavior.  Any ideas on what could be going on with him?  I don't want to lose my favorite fish! <Do a google search on the WWM, keyword "butterflies" and/or "longnose butterfly".  Read the info along with the FAQ's on these fish.  I think you will find the help you are looking for here.  James (Salty Dog)>

Re: ailing butterfly thanks -- 6/31/05
have done so and didn't find anything similar to what I'm seeing.  My biggest concern is that he's gone from being a greedy eater to barely picking at the food.  any thoughts?  I was wondering if perhaps he could have a blockage? <I really can't answer the question on the blockage, I'd be guessing.  Being you've read the info and FAQ's on butterflies, you are aware that they are not the easiest fish to keep to start with.  Pristine water quality and a healthy diet are a must.  Live copepods would be a good start in triggering an eating response.  There are places on the web that do sell them.  James (Salty Dog)>

Longnose butterfly
My longnose butterfly has developed a dull red streak along its spine.
<Not good>
It is internal (not a surface scratch) as it is only visible when viewed from the side when the fish is swimming at the front of the tank i.e.. with light from behind.   I added a piece of artificial coral the day before, which I have since removed after noticing the redness on the butterfly.
<Do you think the coral affected your water chemistry?>
  I have fifteen other fish in my 200 gal, all look fine.  The butterfly is active and eating well.  
<Ah, good>
Could it be a toxic reaction from picking at the artificial coral?
<Maybe, but doubtful... if the coral was made for aquarium use... and your other livestock show no symptoms>
Are there any diseases that produce this symptom?  Please advise.
Thanks,
Peter
<A few diseases are associated with this symptom, mainly infectious (septicemic, bacterial, internal). Boosting the animal's immune system by food supplementation, improving water quality are important steps here. Bob Fenner>

Longnose butterfly
I feed it frozen Mysis, Nori seaweed and reef carnivore pellets.  Nitrate, pH, alkalinity are all fine.  It is still very active and eating well.  I was looking through Nick Dakin's book 'Complete Encyclopedia of the Saltwater Aquarium' and found a picture of a longnose on p. 196 which has a similar appearance.   Hope you have that book.  I will pay close attention to feeding and monitoring the water.  Thanks.
Peter
<Peter, I would also include "Mega Marine Angel" or some other type of vegetable for the fish.  Good Luck MikeB.>