Help with True Percula

[gsechen]

I have a wild caught true perc who has been struggling with excess mucus buildup on sides and breathing heavy. I did a freshwater dip and he seemed better but now he has some kind of legion growing on his right cheek area. I suspected brook but he does not look like he has it because the mucus does not cover all of his body. I am going to treat with Quick Ick cure by Aquarium products in a 5.5 QT tank I just set up. It contains formuline and something else. He finally ate brine shrimp and before that when he was nto eating he was excreting white thin poop. Is this a good idea?

[gsechen]

Quick Cure by Aquarium Products contains formuline, and malachite green

will this help? it looks like that legion is because he scratched himself or something. what should I do with that?

thanks for your input and help, I'm a noob and don't want my fish to die!

thanks

[leebca]

Without a photo and going just by what you've written, I think the best treatment at this stage would be to treat the fish for Brooklynellosis and intestinal parasites. Neither Brooklynellosis nor intestinal parasites respond to a FW dip so this seems to be likely. The excess mucous doesn't have to be over the entire body, but can be in areas, together with rapid breathing, for a Brooklynellosis diagnosis.

The lesion can be a secondary bacterial infection which is not unusual in advanced cases. But a very good picture would be needed to verify this. Still, worth it to obtain some antibiotics now (see medicine chest reference below) to have on hand.

The Brooklynella treatment requires Formalin baths that have to be very carefully controlled for Formalin content, pH, aeration, and temperature. The treatment is given in this reference: Formaldehyde: Friend or Foe - Treating Saltwater Fish Diseases. You want to do 1 (one) dip for 45 minutes every other day, for a total of 3 (three) dips.

The fish being in a separate QT or hospital tank is the best way forward. Catching the fish for multiple Formalin treatments is best done in a QT.

You may not have much time, however. Brooklynellosis kills quickly. In fact since so many of the Anemonefishes (even tank bred that have been mixed in with other fishes) have this disease, it is best to do this treatment on all newly acquired Anemonefishes -- whether or not they show any symptoms.

Obtaining Formalin can be a challenge. There is an alternate product on the market made for fish treatments called Formalin3. It isn't a true Formalin (which is 37% Formaldehyde gas in water) but a 3% solution. Still the proper dosage of Formalin can be calculated using this diluted Formalin product.

Quick Cure was not made for treating any of these conditions/diseases, nor will likely help the fish in the condition you described.

Regarding the poop. The fish needs to be de-wormed. As long as it is eating, you need to feed the fish with Praziquantel and Metronizazole (like in the product Flagyl).

Lastly, during this traumatic and stressful time, the fish needs immune boosters in its feedings: Fish Immune Boosters

In addition to the above references, here are some others that relate to the above recommendations:
A Fish Quarantine Process
Strange Excrement from Fish -or- How to be a Super Pooper Snooper
It Was Acclimation, I know. . .
Since you may be shopping around for medications, you may wish to stock a few more for this or future acquisitions:
Stocking the Marine Fish Medicine Cabinet

There is a lot of reading to do and little time to help the fish. Good luck!

[gsechen]

yikes that is a lot. here is a picture of the clown:

[gsechen]

unfortantly you cant see the legion or injury, its on the other side but you can see the mucus

[leebca]

It's a very attractive fish. Can't see anything regarding its condition in this photo.

[vaporize]

Neither Brooklynellosis nor intestinal parasites respond to a FW dip so this seems to be likely.

Lee, just wanted to confirm what you said, "FW dip does not kill brooklynellosis parasites?" Or it just does not kill enough to help the fish?

I read on some literature to suggest FW dip for brook, I guess that would only serve the purpose to clear some of the mucus in the gills?

Thanks

gsechen, good luck

[leebca]

You are very close to the truth. The FW dip can help the fish shed some of its mucous, which includes the excess mucous from the gills. But the FW dip is not a cure -- it doesn't kill the protozoan that causes Broklynellosis.

The veterinary community claims that only Formalin dips work and I've only done that to cure the condition.