Lesion on Emperor Angelfish

[destinova]

I purchased my first large angelfish a couple weeks ago. He's a beautiful juvenile Pomacanthus imperator. He's been eating like a pig (I've been feeding him green nori with added garlic, Formula 1 and 2, all soaked in Zoe and Vitachem on a daily rotating basis). Sadly, he's had some problems.
He is housed alone in a 20 gallon quarantine tank with some PVC, live rock rubble, and an established sponge filter. The water parameters test as such:
Ammonia: 0
Nitrites: 0
Nitrates: 10
pH: 8.3
Specific Gravity: 1.024
Temp: 78 degrees F
I have had to treat him for flukes. I'm in the process of using Prazipro for five days, then I will remove it for four days, and treat him with a second dose of Prazipro for a week.
My emperor also has a raised lesion near his caudal fish. So far, I've contacted Wet Web Media and they are not sure what it is. I figured that I could ask around to see if anyone else has any experience and/or ideas.
They suggested I use antibiotics to help avoid or treat an infection. I bought API's Furan-2 for the recommended nitrofurazone and will be treating with it during the four day period between Prazipro treatments. Still, I'm worried that there is more I could be doing to treat a specific pathology such as parasites causing the wound.
Any ideas and/or possible treatments would be very helpful!
(Sorry about the crappy pictures...My emperor never sits still when I'm at the tank. He's always begging for food! That, and the camera is old...)
Thanks!

 

[sepulatian]

That will heal with a rotation of Vitachem and Zoecon on his food. It is a small spot of lymphocystis. The wound is coming out of the flesh. It will heal. Make him very healthy so he can heal himself. No medication is needed.

 

[destinova]

That almost brings me some relief.
My emperor angelfish has had two small spots on his anal fin through two FW dips (each 5 minutes) and the Prazipro treatment. At first, I thought it was ich but it hasn't changed for the 5 days or so that I've had him and certainly hasn't spread.
If it's lymphocytosis, it makes sense.
I'm a little apprehensive because the people at WetWeb didn't make that diagnosis.
Hmm...

 

[sepulatian]

Originally Posted by Destinova
http:///forum/post/3042783
That almost brings me some relief.
My emperor angelfish has had two small spots on his anal fin through two FW dips (each 5 minutes) and the Prazipro treatment. At first, I thought it was ich but it hasn't changed for the 5 days or so that I've had him and certainly hasn't spread.
If it's lymphocytosis, it makes sense.
I'm a little apprehensive because the people at WetWeb didn't make that diagnosis.
Hmm...
Did you explain the same thing to them and show the pics? What did they have to say about it?

 

[destinova]

Christine did mention viral, so I guess lymphocytosis isn't out of the question. Following her words, I bought an antibiotic that I might as well use between Prazipro doses, just to be safe.
And yes, I did show them some pictures. They weren't exactly the same ones (these are probably better). I didn't want to send more and feel like I was being overly needy.
Sorry about some overlapping of what I posted here and on WetWeb. Call me lazy.
I purchased my first large angelfish a couple weeks ago. He's a beautiful juvenile Pomacanthus imperator. He's been eating like a pig (I've been feeding him green nori with added garlic, Formula 1 and 2, all soaked in Zoe and Vitachem on a daily rotating basis). Sadly, he's had some problems.
<<Christine here. Sorry to hear that he has issues, but it seems you knew that before you purchased him. Risky, but I am encouraged to see you really doing this thoughtfully. Feeding regimen is superb.>>
He is housed alone in a 20 gallon quarantine tank with some PVC, live rock rubble, and an established sponge filter. The water parameters test as such:
Ammonia: 0
Nitrites: 0
Nitrates: 10
pH: 8.3
Specific Gravity: 1.024
Temp: 78 degrees F
<all good. You can drop the salinity a bit if you like to encourage any uninvited "friends" living on him to drop off.>
A couple days after his purchase, I noticed him scratching specifically at one gill. Assuming he had ich (I could see a white spot or two) I began treating him with 0.25mg/L concentration of Cupramine.
<Test kit for Copper levels I hope?>
Two days later, I found him displaying telltale signs of flukes. He was twitching his head from side to side, had discolored blotches of skin, some of his fins were frayed, and he was breathing rapidly. I thought for sure that I would lose him. Worried, I did a 5 minutes freshwater dip and flukes fell from his gills, his eyes, and his body.
<Superb work>
I did a 100% water change to remove the Cupramine and stopped the treatment altogether. I did some research and decided to treat the quarantine tank with Prazipro at the recommended dose of 1 teaspoon (5 ml) for the 20 gallons. So far, I have been treating him for 3 days. I saw him scratch once but overall, his breathing has calmed down and he's behaving normally. After 5 days of treatment, I plan to wait at least 3 days and treat with Prazipro again for another 5-7 days at 0.25mg/L
<Good as well.>
Something else bothers me. In the store, I noticed a small area of lifted scales. It looked like a simple physical injury to me and, after being tempted by a cheap price tag, didn't seem like too much of a concern. I've been keeping my eye on it and it seems as though it's slowly changing, almost as if part of the area is shedding off. I'm worried it's another external parasite but this is my first fish problem besides ich. The spot itself is lifted and white. I tried to take some photographs but the fish is so active that it's difficult to get a great shot.
<Angelfish are terrible at posing unfortunately. The pic makes it look like the area has some fleshy tan bits hanging off--is this so, or an artifact of the picture?>
Do you have any ideas on possible treatments and/or a diagnosis? Does his current Prazipro treatment seem realistic and effective?
<Depends on what the problem is. Praziquantel is wonderful for flukes, but not effective for much in the way of unicellular parasites and bacteria, so it won't help you there. Two things: one, if he had ich before, and you did a partial treatment, he still has it in all likelihood. Before he joins your other animals in the display I'd make sure he has had a full course of treatment for ich, either hyposalinity or preferably the rest of the Cupramine course. Second, that lesion could be anything based on the photo--viral, bacterial, remnant damage... You can watch it and see how it goes, or while he is in the middle of the Praziquantel courses you could add some antibiotics to ensure no bacterial infections. Favorites of mine include kanamycin (hard to find at your LFS but can be found at fishyfarmacy.com) or nitrofurazone (available locally). For me, expensive desireable fish=high desire to try to treat instead of wait >
I know the special needs of this fish regarding diet and space. His final destination will be in a 125 gallon with a 38 gallon sump. Because he is my most expensive fish and I am cheap at heart, I am determined to give him the best care possible! Of course I will upsize when the time comes.
<As I said so far your treatment and handling has been well thought out and thorough. Do let us know how it goes.>
Thanks for your help!
<pleasure, Christine>

 

[beth]

That looks like lymphocytis.

 

[destinova]

Beth, I respect your knowledge and believe you are correct.
It's not getting any worse. I think my mind can be at ease now.

 

[beth]

Of course you have to address the causes. There is info on this in the FAQ Topic so check it out.

 

[al mc]

IMHO treating him for lympho, as suggested, is a good idea...but...I am glad you are going to treat for bacteria as well. If the lesion does not already have a secondary bacterial infection it apppears that it is ripe for one.