help!!

[calphin]

I have a yellow tang that has something wrong with it. There is a reddish color spreading across its back and sides. It started along the top fin and has rapidly spread. There is also some sort of growth on her top fin that seems to be getting larger. I did about a 25 percent water change about 2 weeks ago. What could be the problem and could she be in danger of a serious illness?

 

[beth]

Yes, it could be serious. Most likely a bacterial infection. What is the size of your tank and what type of tank is it? Reef, FO, FOWLR?
How long have you had the fish and what other fish are in the tank? what are your water readings, particularly nitrates and phosphates? Is the fish still eating, and what does it eat?
Do you have a hospital tank?

 

[calphin]

i have a 33 gal. long ith only a little little live rock and 1 clownfish in with it. It has been eating frozen shrimp and some alge flakes. No i do not have a hospital tank yet. The nitrates were at about 10, hwat should I do??

 

[tankstolove]

It sounds to me like it has slowly developed cauliflower disease (lymphocystic spp.) That would explain the redness being the first sign and then the growth getting larger and larger. I have noticed this many times in different aquariums I have cared for. This is a viral desease ofen looks a great deal worse than it is. Altough rarely fatal, the fish often acts as though nothing is wrong. There is no proprietary medication. A freshwater dip may help. Normally if you keep optimum water conditions and the fish is not put through any additional stress, it's immune system will eventually defeat the virus. Again the growths should get bigger and look really nasty and painful. But the fish will act like nothing is wrong and it will slowly be healed.

 

[calphin]

Although I appreciate the input, I still dont know what to do??