My scooter blenny is not looking well. Pic

[Whiskey]

My scooter blenny does not look good, I have had him for about 9 months and he has been growing. I have never seen anything like this, his fin is gone and his back of his body is red and scaleless. He is still eating fine, and acting normal, but it looks like the back of his body is being eaten away.

I just got a clam, and I wonder if he might have got his tail cought in it.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v712/whiskey27/sickscooter.jpg

PLease help.

Whiskey

[MikeS]

Are any of the fish in the tank acting agressively towards it?

Mike

[Doctor_Reef]

Looks like he has some sort of bacterial infection causing the deterioration of the fin and flesh. If you can qt him and use some broad spectrum anti-biotic you may save him!!! :)

[Whiskey]

I have a newer fish, the purple stripe pudeochromus SP??? and he is a bully, the scooter stays away most of the time but I have seen the purple stripe nip at scooter.

He went from "normal" to like this in 2 days, do you think bacteria could work that fast? My other fish are fine (YT and Purple stripe) I don't have a Q tank set up at the moment (I took it down to drill it and use it as a sump/fuge for my new nano) I could set one up though, is there any perticular medication you have in mind?

Thanks,
Whiskey

[Doctor_Reef]

This fish may get well on its own if this is all because of the purple stripe...but as red as the flesh looks and as damaged as the fin is there is a good chance that this fish needs some help... I know good water quality and the fact that your fish is still eating is a big plus but you need to isolate it from any more attacks and you might as well treat it to be safe!!! JMO

I would recommend - Maracyn–Two
Manufacturer: Mardel
A broad-spectrum antibiotic for internal or external gram negative bacterial infections which can even be absorbed through the skin. Effective treatment of fin and tail rot, popeye, gill disease, dropsy (swollen body, protruding scales), septicemia (bleeding or red streaks on the body), secondary and internal infections. Effective even when fish won't eat.
Active ingredient: Mincycline hydrochlor

[Whiskey]

You know what is weird? The whole back damaged section seems to have fallen off and what looks like the beginings (very small) of a new tail is growing in. There is no longer any red or fleshy looking skin just a flat spot. I wonder can a scooter blenny drop it's tail like a lizard?

It is still acting perfictally normal, eathing and looking for food, just without a tail.

Ammonia = 0
Phospate = 0
Nitrate = 0
nitrIte = 0
CA = 430 (little high but still ok I usually shoot for 425)
DKH = 8.5
Ph = 8.2

How long should I let a Q tank cycle? I usually let it go through the cycle before I buy a new fish, but this situation is a little diffrent.

Thanks,
Whiskey

[bigfoot]

ok thats a new one to me hope it is or you just have a handicapped scooter blenny :)

[MikeS]

How long should I let a Q tank cycle? I usually let it go through the cycle before I buy a new fish, but this situation is a little diffrent.



You can just use water out of your tank to start the QT...and water changes in the QT to keep the ammonia down....most medicines you use are going to wipe out bacteria anyway, so no real point in cycling a QT beforehand IMO...

Mike

[bigfoot]

true true water changes are all i do i have a 30 gph hob on my 10g qt tank and i cut top open and dump the charcoal out b4 i med the tank

[Doctor_Reef]

Ditto's!!!

[Whiskey]

I got a couple of friends to look at this fish (non fish people) and they said that it looked like what was sticking out was part of his spine!!!! I do see their point, I really don't know what is going on here, I tried to catch him and just made a mess of my tank.....

I don't know what I will do, but for now it is 10:30 and I have to be up at 4 AM so I am going to worry about this tomorrow.

Any ideas?? he is s smart fish, and does not seem to eat anything but pods, so I don't think any kind of bait would work.

Thanks,
Whiskey

[bigfoot]

fish trap clear 2 liter bottle and fishing line handle put the cap on and kinda chase him into it a nd lift it out by the handle cut off the bottom btw

[Sugar Magnolia]

Any updates on how the scooter is doing?

The bottle sounds like a good plan. I think the idea is to use something clear, whether it's a bottle or a specimen container. Use the net to guide him into the container. It should work. ;)

Good luck!

[Whiskey]

Yes there is a update, he died :(

I managed to get him out yesterday, but he was soon gone up to the back of his front fins after then he couldn't move and was haveing a tough time breathing, and with all the internal organs missing I felt it was probably best to put him out of his misory.

Thanks for all your help,
RIP Scooter I will miss you,
Whiskey

[Doctor_Reef]

Ouch.... So sorry to hear that!!! :(

[bigfoot]

sorry to hear that......RIP scooter :(