what is this on my anthias

Hey I just noticed this yesterday morning and I would like to save this little guys life. He is coming out to eat and swims around for a few minutes then goes back and hides in the rocks. He normally will swim out in the open all day. I have had him for about 6 weeks any help or suggestions would be appreciated. I tried for like 2 hours to catch him to do a fresh water dip but i couldn't. I have been feeding a bunch of small meals soaked in garlic.

What medicated food exactly?

Gel Tek. maracyn 2.  These are the options that i know of that treats internal parasites, I do not know if they are reef safe. If this medication is found ineffective after the treatment swith to a more stronger medication to Erythromycin. I dont think it will affect the other fish, since its a internal treatment.




Edited by SGH360 - December 21 2010 at 3:15pm

sgh may be right... but maybe it could be a wound from another fish, from the pic on the far left side it almost looks like you have a flame hawk fish from those red lips (am i wrong?)... maybe he is the one doing it... i know my wrasses sometimes get wounds from mine, but they heal pretty quick

I'd give it a few days and see how the "wound" changes....if it is improving, feed him well and leave it be.....I have fed my fish Jungle's medicated food (parasite) in my reef tank just fine, they have a bacterial infection food as well...you could give it a shot if you see no improvement....

If you do not have a mature QT tank already going, don't catch the fish. That will stress it to the point of death and a freshwater dip will not be useful.
You already indicated that the disease is affecting the other fish. Are you ready to catch them all? Probably not
There are some possible remedies. It's good to be adding Garlic Oil to the food. That will not cure the infection, but it will help the fish to be healthy enough to fight it off. Do not use GO every day, especially if you follow my next suggestions.
I would consider adding a Cleaner Shrimp to keep the diseased area as clean as possible and use half dosage Melafix to help fight the bacterial infection.
Unfortunately, those type of Anthias are not easy to keep and are better in groups in a large tank.
Careful not to add so much Garlic Oil and Melafix (also an oil) that the water surface becomes fouled with oil. That will lead to reduced gas exchange and cause low pH which is very damaging to the entire tank.
What are the other fish, how large is the tank and how old?

Melafix, appears to be reef safe, I'll probably expect some corals to get a bit pissed off for adding medication.  

Luckedout wrote: I've heard those Lyretails are tough to keep. Hope he makes it! What a beautiful fish!