ok - you were right, but at least now I have a new quarantine tank!

[beach bum]

Well, I just posted about my new humahuma and how I got him right after he arrived at the LFS. No, I didn't quarantine, and now he is sick, but I caught him (beach bum, fish catcher extraordinare!) and placed him in a 5.5gal tank using water removed from the main tank to fill it.

From my reference books, it appears to be lymphocystis. What he has are large white tufts on tail and pelvic fins, plus side of body. They are very visible and appeared literally overnight. Can you suggest any treament measures? The New Marine Aquarium says it is viral and usually disappears over time causing few mortalities. Is there another possible diagnosis, or anything I can do to help the fish along?

On the plus side, The piece of LR I removed from the main tank to give the fish shelter (which I would remove before adding any copper treatment), a piece I had not looked at in awhile since it was small and in the back of the tank, is sprouting mushrooms like crazy!! I stopped counting at 32 on a rock the size of a softball, but I suspect it's more like 40! woo hoo!

Thanks all,
Chris

[Minnreefer]

I would recomend feeding well and try to soak the food with selcon. I unfortantially don't know much about fish treatment.

Good luck

Jon

[Spanky]

Is there another possible diagnosis, or anything I can do to help the fish along?

Chris,

This can also be bacterial, ammonia burn from shipping.
It can be fungal, shipping stress, net wounds, etc.

You said it appeared over night. That is too fast for lymphocystis. Do not fresh water dip this fish.

Large white tufts, are - usually - secondary fungal infections brought on by bacteria eating the meat in a wound. If you would like to try cleaning the wounds with mercurochrome and a cotton Q-tip, that would probably be your easiest, safest, best bet. Just barely moisten the Q-tip and dab it until you've removed the tuft. Do not let any get into the gills.

HTH
Jerel

[OodleyBoodely]

Are you sure it is lymphocystitas? (Hard, cauliflower-looking growths) I may be wrong, but, I didn't think it came on so fast. I know the lymphocytes are like human warts, viral and no real cure. It's up to the fish's imune system to overcome them, which means you need to supply excellant food, water, and environment for your huma to get better. On the other hand, I've read where the lymphocytes have actually been cut off the fins including actually trimming the fins/tail(which grow back) of fw fish. That one's a bit drastic, IMO, especially for something that is primarily a 'cosmetic' disease.

Sorry I can't offer more info on possible illness/cure, perhaps someone else can help out. You might want to list a more detailed description of symptoms, appearance, ect. to help narrow down the possibilities.

[asmith]

I agree with Jerel. It sounds more like a fungal disease. Follow his treatment suggestions and keep us posted.

Good luck,
Andrew

[Alice]

Just a tip; fish do not like being dabbed with mechurochrome any better than we did when we were kids He will flop so make sure you've got him in something in which he can't flop out!

~Alice

[beach bum]

OK, I'm game to try it. But first, what is mercurochhrome and where do I get it. Also this fish is dinky, about the size of a fish shaped quarter, the logistics might be a little tricky.

Jerel, your explanation sounds spot on. Do you think it would be best if I observe a little longer? I would like to see how it progresses before completely stressing him out. If it is a secondary infection, could I simply address it with water quality and nutrition?

Thanks, I'll let you know the outcome,
Chris

[Spanky]

Chris,

Your other choice is a Malachite Green bath. Use a OTC product and follow directions. Don't use a formalin/Mgreen combo, just M. green alone.


HTH
Jerel

[DaveJ]

With my recent experience with this with my, now deseased, Powder Blue Tang, I would recommend you treat it as quickly as possible. Mine went downhill within days. Now that you have him in another tank you can treat him with just about anything. Keep it quiet and low light to reduce stress. But get the medication going. Follow Jerels advice and you may save him yet.

[beach bum]

I am sorry to report that my little humahuma has passed on. When I got home this afternoon to check his status and begin some kind of treatment he was dead on the bottom.

You know, it really boggles my mind how many of these fish must perish between being caught, transported, and eventually placed in someone's aquarium. I'm sure the specimen I picked out was weak and probably sick already, but I still feel responsible for my homeboy being dead instead of chasing his dinner down by some tropical beach in the Aloha State.

Thanks for the help guys (and gals) ,
Chris

[asmith]

I am sorry to hear about your fish.

Andrew

[DaveJ]

Sorry to hear that