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FAQs on Lymphocystis, Tumors, Viral Cysts... 2
Related Articles: Lymphocystis,
Environmental Disease, Clownfish
Disease,
Related FAQs: Viral
Diseases 1, Aquatic Virology, &
FAQs on Aquatic Virus Disease:
Identification, Causes/Etiology,
Cures/Medications, Case Histories:
Non-Lymphocystis, Lymphocystis, | 
|
Wart-like Growth on Ocellaris Clown... yes 2/27/09
Hi,
<Simon>
I've had a good look through all the information
you've got on WWM but I can't come up with a positive diagnosis for
my Clown.
<I see>
There's a little story about this that needs
to be told to give you all the information. 5 weeks ago we bought a
Blue Linkia Star,
<Not usually hardy>
a small Torch Coral and
another mid sized coral and a small (tiny) Ocellaris Clown to
attempt to pair with our larger Ocellaris. We don't have a QT tank
yet (we really should bite the bullet and set one up, this
experience has taught us a lesson),
<A too-common one>
so they
all went into our main tank (after acclimatisation, etc).
That
night we noticed a small wart like growth coming out of the top of
the center of the star. Over a period of a week the growth got
larger and larger and eventually started to come out of the center
of the base of the star as
well. Our LFS has a 14 day guarantee
on fish health, and were happy to take him back and replace with
another (healthier) specimen.
<... we'll see. Please read on WWM
re Linckia...>
The pairing of the Clowns went remarkably well,
there was no fighting, biting or anything like that, they just
immediately started hanging out, sleeping together and playing
together. The original Ocellaris has now grown phenomenally; she had
stopped growing for a few months before now.
<Also typical>
About a week after the star went back we noticed a similar wart-like
growth starting to appear on the small Ocellaris just behind his
central white stripe. I've attached a photo, its not a brilliant
shot, but he's just so fast! The growth has slowly gotten bigger
(now about 2mm in diameter), but so has the Clown. Today we noticed
what may be another similar spot starting to grow near his tail.
<I see this>
He does not seem to be affected at all by the
growth, he's playful, eating ravenously, generally friendly with the
other fish and his colour is vibrant. There is no extra slime,
stringy waste, or any other signs that he is unwell, so I can't
reliably identify it as any of the common viruses, bacteria or fungi
that affect Clowns. Any help you can give would be
appreciated,
they've become such a good pair it would be horrible to lose one (or
two if its contagious).
The tank is 188 litres
<Too small for
the star>
with about 25kg of live rock. Its been established for
14 months and we've only lost one chromis (while on a month away
from home) so far. The tank is stocked with two chromis, a coral
goby, a two spot goby, the two Ocellaris Clowns, an urchin, the blue
linkia, the torch coral, the other coral (can you identify it from
the photo?)
<Mmm, no. All I see is the Euphyllia>
and various
hitchhikers (brittle stars, bristle worms, a snail, two Chitons,
etc.).
We change 5-10% of the water every week and our tested
levels are always stable and low.
<Good>
I hope you can help,
Simon
<This does appear to be a wart-like growth as you state...
the bulk of which go by the term "Lymphocystis" in the hobby...
there are no specific "treatments", but most all these "come and
go", similar to "planter's warts" in humans... Better water quality,
nutrition tend to ward off, heal faster. I would not "treat" the
water, but might look into a purposeful cleaner organism... See WWM
re. Bob Fenner> |  |
Helppp! Lymph on wild-collected Clowns
05/19/08
I bought two tomato clown fish
about three weeks ago (actually one is a cinnamon clown fish), their
names are Cinnamon and Julius. I'm new at this salt water thing and I'm
already learning a lot which I should have researched before I bought
the tank. All our levels have been fine for pH, nitrite, nitrate,
ammonia, and our SG and temperature. Anyways, when I bought my clowns,
they looked okay in the store and then when we got them home we noticed
a small white clump on Julius's bottom fin.
<This is a non-specific
viral complaint... Lymphocystis... environmentally-mediated...>
It
started to grow larger within a couple days so we started researching
online. We added Melafix to our tank
<... worthless... worse than
worthless>
and contacted the Wet Web Media Crew. We sent a picture
but they couldn't diagnose it and they told us that Melafix doesn't
work. Julius continued to get worse so we set up a quarantine tank
(which I know we should have done first). We put the clown in the small
quarantine tank and used Cuprix which is a chelated copper medicine.
<Copper is not efficacious here either...>
We also read that we could
try to pull off some of
the white clumps which we tried but he still
got worse. Now he has the white clumps all over his fins and his gills
and our other clown is beginning to get white clumps in his mouth to the
point where he can't eat. He has also developed one tiny white spot on
his skin. I have them both in quarantine now and I don't know what else
to do. We bought a Picasso Trigger before we realized they were sick
also and right now he is in our 75 gallon tank away from the clowns.
They were all together for a little while so I hope he doesn't get sick
too. I'm going to send a picture of the clown with the clumps on him and
one of the clown with the clump in his mouth. Any help would really be
appreciated. Thank you, Heather.
<Please read here:
http://wetwebmedia.com/viraldislymph.htm
the linked files at top. Bob
Fenner> |   |
Lymphocystis - Chelmon rostratus 1/6/2008
Dear Crew,
<Andy>
Good morning. I'm sending you two separate
messages, because they deal with separate issues and I know they might
get sorted among different Crew members.
<Ok>
Here's the first! I
purchased a Chelmon rostratus, not only because it has always been one
of my favorite fishes but also because I have about 10 or 15 Aiptasia
growing in my display that I'm hoping it will eat.
The butterfly has
been in my 30g QT for 7 days now.
<I would move it to the main
display>
When I purchased it, I made sure it was eating at the LFS.
For the first 2 days after I brought it home, it ate well--frozen Mysis
and blood worms. After day 2, however, it stopped eating. I had done my
research on the fish beforehand, so I knew these fish can be finicky
eaters. So, I got on WWM to research what others have done in similar
circumstances, and I discovered that what I am experiencing is not
uncommon and that the advice has been to get some live rock in the QT to
get the fish to graze the worms, etc. on the rock. It just so happened
that I have a few pieces of LR that were not supporting other pieces of
LR and that host some Aiptasia, so I decided to throw 2 pieces in the
QT. I placed the first piece in (which had about 8 Aiptasia) and went
back for the second. By the time I got back to the QT, all the Aiptasia
were gone.
I thought, "this could not be." Sure enough, though, this
morning they are still gone (along with a very pretty orange feather
duster that hiked in on the rock--oh well). The Chelmon has pretty much
denuded my LR of any worms, etc. So . . . Thanks for the advice!
<Welcome>
ANYWAY, my question really relates to 2 masses on the tail
and pectoral fin of my Chelmon, shown in the attached photos. Based on
my research, I believe that the fish simply has Lymphocystis, but would
like your concurrence.
<I do agree>
If so, I won't hesitate to
put him in the display after the 3-4 week QT if all else goes well. If
it's something else, then I'll proceed accordingly.
<I would place
this fish now... this is much more an "environmental" or stress
condition than a type of pathogenic disease... Won't be "catching"...>
Thanks as always for your time/help.
Andy
(Although I realize
(think) that 15 Aiptasia is not an infestation by any stretch, I am
trying to figure out why they are appearing.
<Some cellular material
must have been introduced at some point... likely on/with LR, but could
be algae...>
I have cut down feeding to once per day--usually frozen
Mysis or blood works, or Formula 1 flake. I employ a 30g fuge with
Chaeto, DSB and LR. I run Phosguard in the sump. I have tested my
display water, my RO/DI water, and my storage water for phosphates and
silicates--I have two test kits--a Seachem (color never matches test
strip) and a Salifert (really hard to read!). No silicates are present.
The Seachem kit shows 0.1 phosphates (or 0.01, can't remember the scale)
in all three sources; the Salifert shows 0, so I'm befuddled).
<No
need or use... Bob Fenner>
Re: Lymphocystis - Chelmon rostratus 1/6/2008
Thanks, Bob. I presumed that everything needs a long QT period, but it
seems that with the Copperband 8 days is enough as long as it isn't
showing other signs of disease/reason to keep in QT?
<... please
re-read... "I would...">
I don't understand your last response, "no
need or use" re my phosphate kits/readings. Would you mind explaining?
Thanks again.
<These readings for soluble PO4 are in agreement within
the limitations of the test gear. B> |  
|
Lympho on Copperband butterfly 12/2/07
Hello, Thanks
for all of the help in the past and the great site. I will try and keep
this short. I have read through the Lympho FAQ's and couldn't find what
I need. I received a copperband from LiveAquaria.com about 2 weeks ago,
I put him in my 20 long quarantine and after a couple of days I noticed
the white clumps developing on his fins. They have spread to his tail
and even some on his body. He eats extremely well, only mysis though (I
have noticed in the past that I only have luck getting Copperbands to
eat "white" food, anything to this?)
<Don't know... but interesting
speculation>
which I soak in Selcon. I have read that there is no
direct cure for this and that good water quality and food are the best
medicine, there is also a cleaner goby with him but I don't see him
clean him though. My question is, would you keep him in quarantine until
it goes away or would you put him in the display?
<I would do the
latter... This viral complaint is "not that infectious" and yet, won't
begin to self-cure unless the Chelmon is "in a better place">
The
only fish in the display are a tomato clown, lawnmower blenny, and very
expensive juvenile chevron tang.
<Oh! Just wrote a piece for this
Ctenochaetus sp.... one of a few while am out in HI... "in spare
time"...>
Thanks for all of the help.
Merry Christmas,
Jeremy
<I do hope the frenatus clown doesn't go after your Butterfly. Only
experience will tell... do remove/float the clown in a plastic colander
for a few days if apparently so. Cheers, BobF>
Re: Lympho on Copperband butterfly 12/18/07
Just wanted to
let you know that the Copperband is looking great now. He is still
eating and seems to be happy. I removed the tomato clown just in case,
as I had seen it chasing the chevron and noticed the fins on the chevron
looked "nipped". He is still eating great so I assume they will grow
back. Any reason to think it was caused by anything else?
<Mmm...>
Only a few small crabs, lawnmower blenny, and butterfly with him in the
tank. Looking forward to reading your article on the Chevy tang on the
website. Have a great Christmas.
Jeremy
<Will download after it
runs in print... have attached here for your perusal. Cheers, BobF>
Mixing medications... Lymph related to env. stress, Cu exp.
10/27/07
Hi
<Hello there>
I was hoping that you can help me
figure out necessary treatment for my Juv. Queen Angel. I have 125
gallon that I have had up for the 18 months. I recently removed all my
fish to a hospital tank and started treatment with CopperSafe for ick. I
am 10 days into treatment and all fish seem to be responding well except
the Queen Angel. She has kicked the ick but in the last couple of days
she has showed signs of what appear to be cauliflower like white growth
on the tips of her fins and mouth.
<Ahh... likely the virally
related condition Lymphocystis>
I was wondering if this is
environmental because of the CopperSafe.
<Yes... very likely a
contributor here>
I have performed regular water changes making sure
to replace the CopperSafe and am now wondering if I need to add an
antibiotic or wait and then add carbon to remove the CopperSafe.
<I
would wait>
I did perform a fresh water dip when I first noticed but
feel that I don't want to add additional stress. She is eating well. Any
advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Queen Angel Dad
<Likely the Lymph will recede, disappear with the improved environment,
return of the Holacanthus to its main display. Bolstering immune systems
with supplements (e.g. BioVit)... HUFAs, AAs, Vitamins... is encouraged.
Bob Fenner> Lympho on
coral beauty... reading 9//15/07
Hi crew!
I've
diagnosed my newly acquired coral beauty with lymphocystis. He's been in
a QT for 3 weeks and the 2 spots came up 2 days after I brought him
home.
<As with warts, other viral growths, involvements, including
with our own species... there is a stress factor...>
I've been
following the advice with doing water changes using my main tank water
(every 3 days). I'm feeding him mysis shrimp with Kent's garlic also put
live rock in the QT for munching. These spots still are not going away.
<Mmm, won't with this treatment regimen...>
I gotta laugh at trying
to scratch these spots off
<Spots? Please read here:
http://wetwebmedia.com/lymphfaqs.htm
and the next Related FAQs file
linked above>
....there's no way....he's a feisty fish!!! Just trying
to net him to put him in the QT made a mess! Question is: should I keep
waiting for these to fall off or is he ok to put in the main tank? How
long can he stay in the QT for the Lympho before it becomes detrimental
to his overall health? Thank you for your time and knowledge!!! Jennifer
<Read on my friend, read on. BobF>
Lympho ~ Tusk fish 8/15/07
Afternoon,
<David>
Just a quick question on Lympho as I did not see the answers in your
FAQ's. My Harlequin Tuskfish originally had a small cauliflower like
white growth on his left side fin and Bob and I agreed it was definitely
Lympho. This was left alone and after about 3 weeks it fell off or was
scraped off by the fish. Within about a week or so, the growth
reoccurred in several small masses on the same fin and then again in two
large clumps on the tailfin and small signs of growth along the side of
the fish. Just got back from vacation for past 10 days to find pretty
much all the major growths have fallen off or have been scraped off, but
I can now see what appears to be even more smaller growths all over the
back of the fish... Would you expect this? I'm worried it will keep
coming back more and more until perhaps finally the gills are
involved....
Thoughts? Suggestions?
David Brynlund
<These viral
complaints can be persistent... as in humans... all other life... Many
models of cancer, aging... relate their involvement... I would do your
best to boost the "immune systems" of the host fish/es... HUFA, vitamin
soaked foods, the occasional application of same to the water, along
with iodide... See WWM re. Bob Fenner>
Re: Lympho ~ Tusk fish 8/15/07
Thanks for the quick
response Bob...
<Welcome>
Better to treat the whole 200g tank or
catch this fish again for quarantine?
<No... leave in place... "it's
the system Dave">
What's your experience been with that SeaChem
Garlic additive along with the Focus or Mez... (I forget what it
is...)??
<Not a fan... though I cook with quite often>
From
reading your info, it seems as though this virus is more common in clown
fish??
<Somewhat, yes>
In rearranging my tanks, would adding my
two False Percula's to the same 200g tank as my Lymph'd Tuskfish be a
bad decision???
<Mmm, no... though might get eaten>
I've read two
sources... One says it is contagious, the other indicated it wasn't?
<Not very cross-species-wise>
David Brynlund
<RMF>
Lymphocystis? NNS? - 7/23/07
Hi Crew,
<Young>
This is my
first time writing to you guys, but I've already benefited from your
replies to other ppls questions many times, so thank you very much for
your time!
I have had these clownfish for more than a month and they
started having small lumps growing on them, first in one... and then in
the other. I should've quarantined the fish but since it they were the
only fish in the tank (10g +10g sump), I skipped that process (I know
huge mistake). Anyhow would like to confirm if this is lymphocystis or
something else and what can I do about it. also is there anything I can
do if its lymphocystis?
<Does appear to be... and is large enough to
likely be advantageous to pull off with your fingers (triggering immune
response)... and adding a cleaner organism or two (my choice? A Lysmata
species)>
I mean I know there is no known treatment but just
wondering if there is anything ppl out there have tried. Also should I
separate the fishes, I mean will it be contagious from one fish to
another say one gets well but then gets it again from the other or vice
versa?
Thanks once again,
Kind regards,
Young
<Please read
here: http://wetwebmedia.com/lymphfaqs.htm
and the file linked above
in the FAQs series. Bob Fenner>
Re: Lymphocystis? Non-native speaker? – 07/24/07
Hi,
Thanks for the quick response. what's
<... are you a NNS? Please
learn to/use spell/grammar checkers...>
the procedure of pulling of
with fingers, I mean I'm new to this and I cant imagine anyway in which
I could do this without harming them.
<This is posted where you were
referred to. Read there>
Also I do have 2 cleaner shrimps (Lysmata
amboinensis) but they do not clean the fishes, actually the fishes don't
let the shrimps clean them any idea what I can do?
<Yes; read>
the first tumor did go away but they keep getting more as you saw in the
picture. Read the FAQ you send me to and Im doing what most ppl suggest,
trying to keep good water quality and feeding them to maintain them
healthy, should I do a fresh water dip?
<... no...>
Thanks once
again,
Regards,
Young
<Keep reading... Bob Fenner> | 
|
Chrysurus angel sick... Mis-mix, Lymph - 7/23/07
Hello again Bob
I wrote you about 2 weeks ago, had a horrible ich problem and you helped
me out a ton... as it stands I only lost my queen angel.... sad she was
my favorite... I transferred all but the leopard sharks and my lion fish
<Mis-placed...>
to a large 40x45x10 inch tub in my garage... I
treated them with Cupramine and all my fish made dramatic improvements
ASAP.... As for my sharks and lion I treated them in my display( I know
you hate to hear this....) but I had no choice, I treated them with
quinine sulfate from fishfarmacy.com and my lions infection cleared up
in a week. The sharks never showed any signs but I wasn't taking any
chances... I have since done several water changes 25% each and added
charcoal to the sump to filter out the quinine sulfate. I returned all
fish (imperator, passer, pair yellow banded maroon clowns,
<... am
becoming very tired of fixing your English... spaces between your
sentences...>
and the chrysurus angel, less live rock (in separate
tank with no meds) back into display. Now my chrysurus angel is
developing a bunch of what looks like fungus on its fins, I cannot tell
if it is fungus or bacterial. I tried scraping it of but it wasn't
coming off very easily and it started to bleed a little bit, so I
returned it to tank and left him alone. His color was a bit off from the
stress but he seems to be fine, eats very well and seems to be getting
along with king dog imperator boss). any thoughts
<... This is a
clear case of Lymphocystis... etiology unknown but most are related to
poor water quality, avitaminoses and overly-stressful conditions period.
See WWM re. RMF>
Kelly Craven
Re: chrysurus angel sick – 07/24/07
Hello Bob thank you for your
much appreciated help. I apologize for my poor typing, I was typing from
my phone.
<"This is the modern age">
I read the FAQ'S on
lymphocystis, but could not find any info on whether it travels up the
body of fish.
<... through>
The fins yes but its now on the fish
body. I was wondering if it could be bacterial? Thank you again.
Kelly
<... keep reading... Viral. RMF> |  .JPG)
|
Lymphocystis 6/30/07
Hi,
<Dave>
A quick
one here. I read through your FAQ's on Lymphocystis and the consensus
seems to keep water parameters optimum (which I do my best to do
anyways) and let the virus run it's course.
<This, along with
bolstering nutrition, possibly using a purposeful cleaner organism, and
maybe pulling off the bulk of the material (thinking this may "trigger"
the animal's' immune system/s) is about "it">
I have a Harlequin
Tuskfish that has been in quarantine with 2 Bannerfish for treating
Crypt. I always thought the white spot on my Tuskfish was sand debris,
etc. but while extensively reading through your website on parasites,
etc and from reading Bob's book. it sounds identical to Lymph.
<Appears to be this to me as well>
Small white cauliflower like
growth on the tip of one fin only. I've attached a link to an article I
read on the subject. Certainly not challenging your general consensus,
but the article seems to imply that this virus is somewhat infectious.
<Mmm... is/are... just "to a degree"... depending on prevailing
circumstances...>
I already have the three fish in quarantine.
Would you be of the opinion then that this should not spread to my
Heni's?
<Mmm, not likely>
Once it disappears, what has been your
experience of reoccurrence?
<Can, does... once again... a lesson in
the variability of our awareness more than a relative yes/no didactic
understanding of the universe...>
http://www.aquarticles.com/articles/management/Lawler_Lymphocystis.html
As always, thank you for your comments and all your help previously..
Dave
<Dang the torpedees, full-speed ahead... Focus on what you're
trying to achieve Dave... Let this drive guide your consciousness,
activity (here and everywhere); you'll do, are doing fine. BobF>
Re: Lymphocystis 6/30/07
Thanks for the response,
hope you got my pictures in the subsequent email.
<Yes, thanks. All
posted in today's Daily FAQs>
I did read something about pulling off
the growth and the chance that it would leave somewhat of an open sore
which would increase the chance of a reinfection of sort? Or the
opportunity for something different to take effect?
<Mmm, not
likely... seems to stir recovery if anything>
I was thinking
potentially of leaving it until my quarantine period is up in 2 more
weeks... introducing just the Heni's back to my main display... and then
removing the growth while the Tusk is in isolation...
<Or in transit
better...>
and then keep him quarantined for another 2 weeks? Would
pulling the mass off and then introducing him to the main display be
advised or shall I just do it now while he has 2 more weeks of
quarantine?
<Ah, yes... I would remove the material in moving this
animal thus. RMF>
Lymph. again... 7/31/07
Man, I wish I was you.... Out
diving. I'm writing you from my office 9 stories up in Calgary,
Canada... Although it's a balmy 31oc here the past few weeks.
<Nice!>
Are you in Hawaii? Last summer, I had the opportunity to follow the
first Snowflake Moray I'd ever seen in the wild. He was hunting in the
shallows of Hanauma Bay, Oahu. Very intriguing to watch.
<Am out on
the Big Island with friends... Chris and Jor of WWM e.g.. And do see
Echidna nebulosa quite often... along with many other "puhi" in the
rocks>
If you recall, I had also sent pictures and comments on my
Harlequin Tusk fish and his cauliflower-like cottony growth on his fin
(Lymphocystis??). You had suggested removing the growth with a
fingernail when I was transporting him back from the quarantine tank he
was in at the time... Back into my main display. He actually shed the
fungus
<Mmm, actually viral>
a couple of days before I moved him
and appeared to be 100% ok.
Within a week of moving him into the main
display, he now has smaller sized cottony clumps along the edge of one
side fin. He has two large clump masses on his tail, and one small
cluster forming along the upper edge of his body. He still swims around
and feeds aggressively, however I can tell that unless he expects to be
fed, he'd perhaps rather not swim as I have found him a few times
sitting in the rockwork during daylight hours resting. There is no
growths anywhere near his gills and he is breathing normally. I'm also
leaving on vacation tomorrow for 10 days. Under the circumstances, would
you recommend leaving him alone to see if he once again sheds the
growths on his own?
<I would not move this labrid>
I'm not sure
if I'd have the time to catch him in that tank to remove by hand... And
even if I did, I think I'd want to be around to monitor him in case of
problems occurring with potentially open sores???
<I would try
bolstering its immune system... soaking foods in a HUFA/Vitamin mix...
and adding Spectrum food/s here>
Of note, the Bannerfish seem
interested in nipping at the growths which is a good thing, but the
Tusker darts away. Also of note, the Tusk fish is flashing the odd
time... I guess I don't blame him... Anything to get rid of those little
veggies growing off him.
David Brynlund
<Please read re
Lymphocystis... RMF> |  
|
Sick Clowns
07/28/03
Hello Crew,
<Hi Amanda>
I have had
two TR true Percs in QT for almost three weeks. Yesterday I noticed the
beginning of small bumps. It appears like ich but it is clear and very
difficult to see. The spots are on the body below the front most dorsal,
I cant see any spots on the fins. I started lowering sg today from 1.025
down to 1.022. Temp is at 80. I figure I will continue to lower the
sg-but how low? Could this be bacterial or fungal? I have yet to read
anything stating that ich can be clear, so I am leery of treatment based
on that presumption. The fish are swimming and eating. Can you please
advise appropriate treatment?
Thank you for your help!
Amanda
<Ananda spotted this one in my box and has the following advice: "That
sounds exactly like lymphocystis. QuickCure is supposed to
help...according to the bottle. I started that treatment too late to
save one of my fish, but if she gets to it early...."
So, I
would follow her advice and begin treatment now. Here's more to read:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/infectio.htm, and look for lymphocystis
on the sites search engine, that'll bring up a lot more FAQs for you to
read as well. Good luck, and our hopes are with you.> Banggai
Cardinal lip growth 5/7/07
Hello folks,
I
have 130gal FO tank a variety of compatible fish and most all seem to be
happy and healthy. I have wet/dry filtration and skimmer and water
quality is good.
<Not useful... need real data>
One of my
Banggai Cardinals has a couple of strange looking growths on its lower
lip.
<Likely "lymphocystis"... a semi-strange
environmental/nutritional/viral condition...>
They look like warts
and are similar in color to the fish.
They do not look like anything
I have been able to find on any site about fish diseases. The fish seems
to be fine, it eats well, hangs out with Banggai #2 and chances the
Banggai #3 off into hiding. None of the other 20 or so fish have any
sign of any such growth. Any ideas?
Thanks,
David Austin
<Please read here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/lymphfaqs.htm
and the linked FAQs
files above. Bob Fenner> Re: Banggai Cardinal lip growth –
05/07/07
Bob and Crew,
Thanks very much for the response and
the great job you are doing. It is hard to imagine how you have the time
and patience to deal with all of us.
I think your suggestion of
Lymphocystis is correct based on the articles and photos you referred me
to. I tried removing the growths from the fish with no luck. So if he is
not too traumatized by that effort perhaps the disease will run it's
course and he will be okay. Meanwhile, it is back to working on water
quality and good nutrition.
Thanks again,
David Austin
<Thank you for your kind words. If there is room (and likely no predator
problems) I do encourage you to add a purposeful cleaner organism as
well... Perhaps a Lysmata species... will help clean off... and greatly
reduce the element of stress... very important here. Bob Fenner>
Re: I looked everywhere! (But did you look here?) pt.3 2/22/07
Hi Graham,
<Hello, I'm sorry for the delay, but... well, you
know.>
So here's the update on the situation I got the qt out
and got the baby clowns in there.
<Excellent!>
I've been
treating them with Instant Ocean's Lifeguard.
<<http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:lYSnEsx2m14J:www.tetra-fish.com/ENEWSROOM/printer_
friendly_press_release.asp%3FdocumentID%3D211+Instant+Ocean+Lifeguard&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=2&gl=us
High-tech...>>
<I don't have any experience with this product
yet, but the write-up looks good; non-antibacterial means good for
the nitrifying bacteria..>
I guess it's new it is supposed to
help treat bacterial, fungal, viral, and parasitic diseases. My qt
is a 30 g but I have it filled only half way.
<?>
The QT
parameters are as follows pH 8.2, Ammonia: 0.25 ppm <!!! Water
change now!>, Nitrite 0 ppm, Nitrate 0 ppm, and salinity: 1.023
ppt.
<Would remind you that with a QT, especially a half-full
one with little/no filtration to speak of, you will need to be
performing large daily water changes to take the place of
filtration.>
The display tank's parameters are pH: 8.2, Ammonia
0 ppm, Nitrite 0 ppm, Nitrate 5.0 ppm, and salinity 1.022 ppt. I
know the qt is bad, I'm planning on doing a partial water change
tomorrow.
<See above.>
I think part of the problem is that
I'm just using a sponge filter that I had let sit in my tank for 5
days and the fact that there's no live rock or sand in the qt and I
guess I've been overfeeding them a bit as well.
<All true...>
I have noticed one of the other clowns has a similar white growth on
the tip of its tail and a third one has a white cyst-looking think
on its right pectoral fin that seems to be growing THROUGH his fin,
it's protruding slightly on both sides of it, it does look similar
to the other clowns' growths.
<Would try FW-dips (Read WWM re)
in addition to the QT, daily.>
<<And I'd amend the pH-adjusted
FW dips/baths with formalin and aeration>>
I am beginning to
think you were correct and that it is that lymphocystis since they
are on day four of the medication (it's only supposed to be used for
5 days) and it seems that they are all getting it.
I went back
to that LFS and their siblings who are still at the store all seem
to have this as well I'm thinking it's just genetic.
<Not
genetic, no. Just associated.>
<<And like common models of such
viral involvements, environmentally/nutritionally mediated>>
I
did purchase a skunk cleaner shrimp and acclimated him to the
display tank so that once I do return them to it maybe he can pick
the growth off them, if they'll let him.
I did figure out a
way to get pictures of them as they are all very very feisty and
eating heartily still.
<Very common with cystic infections...>
I forgot my camcorder has the option to take still frames of video,
so I grabbed some video of them and got the shots from that, it's
not super clear but at least you can take a look at it now. Oh and
for diet I read on the saltwaterfish forum about diseases and diet,
hence the reason I thought a cleaner shrimp would help since someone
on there had a percula with a similar problem.
<Can be
helpful. (Natural solution, no meds...)>
So I have made them
homemade fish food from a recipe on the site. It's a mixture of
cuttlefish, clam, octopus, cooked mussel, scallop, and shrimp,
ground up with kelp, chard, fresh garlic, and soaked in Kent's
Zoecon.
<Very good, will help them fight.>
They've been on
that and the flake food and frozen Hikari Mysis shrimp since
Sunday.
OH and to make matters worse I just saw today that my
coral beauty seems to have an eye injury, I wasn't able to get her
out of the display tank and into the qt with the clowns, I'm waiting
on an order for one of those fish catcher things.
<Have had
repeated success treating eyes with FW-dips, and possible physical
removal of parasite.
You may find that the cloudiness will
slough off in the lower salinity.>
Anyhow it looks like she has
two scratches across her cornea and she is acting quite neurotic,
she keeps swimming up and down in the same corner of the tank, I'm
not sure if it's bc of the injury or bc I finally got my light in
today. The new light has 260 watts whereas the old one did as well
however, the bulbs were about a year overdue for a change and it was
also only 30" whereas the new one is 48" and actually fits the
entire length of my tank. I have a picture of her cornea too, my bf
thinks it could be fungal too. So if it is how and why am I having
such a fungus problem??? :'( Thank you for all your help and input
Graham, sorry this is so long winded I have attached the pics I hope
they help.
<Fungal... hmm. I wish I was a fish doctor. I need to
see what I'm dealing with, and even then I don't have one method of
treatment for each problem. I would recommend you treat for Lymph
and consider Epsom salt for the angel after the FW-dip.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/epsomfaqs.htm. I am assuming you have
read all the FAQs here about clowns and their associated problems,
along with how to setup a QT. I think you're on the right track
here, but the QT should be maintained with water changes more often
than you suppose is enough. Remember: measurable ammonia is too
much! I'm looking back, and noticing that I'm not that helpful here!
I will CC this to Bob for review.
I am very fatigued, but felt a
sense of obligation to answer your Q's. I hope you find something
useful here!
-GrahamT>
Shawn
<<I am in agreement with
your stmt.s Graham. BobF>> |   |
Questions regarding quarantine and lymphocystis 1/30/07
Hello again, I really appreciate all of the advice and dependable
information. Actually my fish do too as they are alive and well.
<Ah, good>
I have two questions I need your advice on. First, I
am going to close down my 75 gallon FOWLR and transfer a Niger
Triggerfish, Assasi Triggerfish and a Tuskfish to a 125 gallon FOWLR
tank. The 75 gallon had an ich outbreak about a year ago that I managed
well and have not had a problem since. In treating the ich outbreak the
tank remained in a fallow state for 30 days.
Question 1 is do I need
to quarantine and or dip the fish before transfer to the 125 gallon to
manage the risk that there may be a low level of parasite activity that
has not affected the fish?
<I would do the dip/bath...
FW, pH-adjusted... enroute to the new digs>
These three fish will be
joining a Kole Tang and a Flame Angel in the 125 gallon so I want to
minimize any potential problems.
<I understand>
Question 2 the
Assasi Triggerfish and Tuskfish will occasionally have white patches on
their fins that I diagnose as lymphocystis. I make this diagnoses based
on the appearance that the white patches seem to be inside the
transparent fins of the fish and not discrete grain like spots that
protrude from the fins. The white spots are more patch like and larger
in size then the ich that I have encountered in the past. I realize the
description is terse, but that is how I would describe it. I don't
treat and have no concerns as they come and go intermittently. Can you
provide any help with the diagnoses? Thanks again.
<Mmm, might be
virally-mediated... but could also be protozoan (there are some
microsporidean, sporozoan infestations that appear as this... are
wide-enough in their expression to show on diverse Orders of fishes...)
and even a few worm possibilities. In all cases I would NOT go so far as
to venture into test-treating this... I'd ignore and focus on elements
of bolstering resistance through nutrition, and providing an optimized,
stable environment. Bob Fenner>
Lymph transfer, Crab removal 4/18/06
Hi Everyone!
After
several months of non-eventful fishkeeping, I have two questions for
you.
First, we have a yellow tang that has been in QT for the
last month-plus after purchase. He's a great little guy – growing
fast, very healthy eater, loves playing in the current, but had what
we determined was Lymphocystis on his tail starting in week 1 of
QT. Despite our concern, we followed fish store and FAQ
instructions (http://www.wetwebmedia.com/lymphfaqs.htm)
and just left him alone with care to water quality, and the spot
disappeared at the end of week 3. (yay!)
<Good>
Five days
later, there's a new tiny spot on one of his fins. My question is
whether we should continue to quarantine him until he has a month
free of this, or if it's okay to put him in the display tank with
our two Ocellaris clowns and our Royal Gramma.
<I would move,
place this fish>
The water quality is higher in the main tank,
but I don't want the other fish to catch it.
<Not likely>
Second, we have a hijacker crab that appeared in our tank last
fall. When we first saw him, he was about ¾" across and only
partially visible at night. Since then, we've pulled out a few dead
crabs of the same type. (For a good picture, see here:
http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/252/1727/640/DeadCrab.jpg Note
bristly hair and black-tipped pincers.) One of my Blog readers ID'd
it as a Pilumnus fissifrons, which seems right on, except that there
is almost no information about it. We've spied bits of legs in the
rock over the last few months,
but haven't seen the full crab
until last night. We were horrified to realize that his body alone
is now two inches across and with his legs he's over three. He's
bigger than our fish. We watched him for long enough to conclude
that he seems to be eating just coralline algae and is scared of the
fish, but is big enough that he's actually shifting the rocks as he
feeds. We want him out of the tank, but are at a loss as to how. He
seems more or less to move between four 5-10 lb rocks, some of which
have zoos and mushrooms, so we don't want to lose them. He's a very
quick mover when he's scared and only comes partway out of the
rocks, so catching him with a net seems daunting. And he seems, for
the moment, not to eat meat, so we're not really sure how to seed a
trap. Do you have any advice how we might go about removing this
quickly growing, creepy crab from our tank?
<Can be trapped or
baited/removed. Please read here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/swcrabcomp.htm
and the linked
files... I would remove this animal, pronto.>
Thanks for your
help on both points! The WWM site is such a godsend.
Susan and
Kevin.
<I'd say this is more of a Bobsend m'self. Bob Fenner> | 
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