What is Wrong with my Dottyback?

[Shy519]

My boyfriend bought an orchid dottyback a few weeks ago. We saved him from a sixline wrasse that kept nipping him at the store. Upon bringing him home he did have a small bite or two but a week after having him he developed a huge grey/white patch on his sides. I did notice some very thin stringy poop that came from him. Other than that he is eating and acting very healthy. Upon some internet surfing I found that it seems to be very common for orchid dottybacks to get illnesses. I saw that a lot of these posts were left undiagnosed as the pictures were not clear enough but I sat and took pictures of him for a good ten minutes. I have some clear ones and would like anyone to say they need more to help a diagnosis. I believe I may have narrowed it down to a parasitic infection and to treat with Prazi-Pro, but I also want everyone's opinion from here as well.

 

[Frtdrmrose7]

What parasitic infection do you believe he has? Looks like it could be a secondary infection from injuries from the six-line. I would dose Metro, Kanaplex, and Furan 2. if you have or can get Ruby Reef Rally that is an excellent antiseptic and would help also. This looks pretty advanced and I’m guessing time isn’t on your side.

The stringy poop is internal parasites and either Metro or General Cure with Focus laced food will handle that.

@Big G

 

[Shy519]

What parasitic infection do you believe he has? Looks like it could be a secondary infection from injuries from the six-line. I would dose Metro, Kanaplex, and Furan 2. if you have or can get Ruby Reef Rally that is an excellent antiseptic and would help also. This looks pretty advanced and I’m guessing time isn’t on your side.

The stringy poop is internal parasites and either Metro or General Cure with Focus laced food will handle that.

@Big G

I wasn't sure what kind of parasite he had, it just seemed to match the general description. I've also been told it could be Brooklynella and/or a bacterial infection.

 

[Frtdrmrose7]

I wasn't sure what kind of parasite he had, it just seemed to match the general description. I've also been told it could be Brooklynella and/or a bacterial infection.

I thought about brook also, does he have sloughing skin, or mucous? Either way Metronidazole treats brook also. If it is brook you need to move fast as it’s a quick killer.

 

[Frtdrmrose7]

@ngoodermuth tboughts?

 

[ngoodermuth]

I agree with your original diagnosis, looks to be a bacterial infection. Good advice given, though he will need to be moved to a QT for treatment, and quickly

The reef rally (or another source of acriflavine... some have used API Fungus cure successfully in a pinch) should be administered via a 90-minute bath en route to QT. I use a 5-gallon bucket with a small heater and airline. Otherwise, the three antibiotics mentioned work well dosed in a QT every 48 hours, for 10 days... with a 20-25% water change before each dose. If you don't have these or can't source them quickly, API Triple Sulpha is another good wide-spectrum antibiotic.

 

[ngoodermuth]

I'll also +1 for feeding metroplex (or general cure) + focus for the stringy white poop, which in indicative of intestinal parasites. Feed 10 days, at least twice daily. Can be done in conjunction with the above antibiotic treatment.

1 scoop metro + 1 scoop focus + 1 tablespoon of thawed food
or
2 scoops GC + 1 scoop focus +1 tablespoon food

 

[ngoodermuth]

Duplicate.

 

[Shy519]

Good news. I began treatment for internal parasites a few days ago and I do a freshwater dip twice a day. He is recovering and looking amazing

 

[Frtdrmrose7]

Good news. I began treatment for internal parasites a few days ago and I do a freshwater dip twice a day. He is recovering and looking amazing

Good news! You might want to slow down on the two a day FW dips though.

 

[Shy519]

Good news! You might want to slow down on the two a day FW dips though.

Sounds good, I'll take the advice. Thank you!