Author Topic: Lymphocystis on Moorish Idol (Read 6460 times)

lazylivin · « **on:** December 18, 2011, 12:07:08 »

I got the fish on 11/21. (26 days ago). Immediately placed the fish in hypo-salinity at 1.008 Salinity. The fish had no sign of sickness, I just do it as a precaution. Anyway as with most Idol's it took about 5 days to start eating. It is eating with increasing enthusiasm every day. It's gut is starting to fill out nicely. There is however what looked initially like ich (which didn't make sense being in hypo) and has developed into something more. It started off with some spots that looked to be under the skin and has increased in size to what is now outside of the skin. The first ones have gotten larger and looks like cauliflower. The fish has never once rubbed/scratched or shown any sign of stress. I took some pictures last night and the larger ones that looked like cauliflower almost looks like a grouping of small eggs. I sent the pictures over to Fenner and crew at wetwebmedia and they responded back with environmental/viral condition called Lymphocystis which is not contagious or typically harmful and should clear up on it's own. They fish is also together with 2 wrasses, forktail blenny and a goby. None of which have had any signs of sickness.

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DarinSchmidt · « **Reply #1 on:** December 18, 2011, 12:15:20 »

Just a word of caution
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lymphocystis

DarinSchmidt · « **Reply #2 on:** December 18, 2011, 12:41:06 »

oops, the other link didnt post wit hthe first. In the other article i was linking, it said to separate it form the other fish till it goes away. The virus can spread by contact and other forms and can infect many species. Though it is not a major threat, depending on where they get the virus it can cause them to stop breathing and or even eating.

DarinSchmidt · « **Reply #3 on:** December 18, 2011, 12:41:52 »

http://www.vet.uga.edu/VPP/clerk/Kurkjian/index.php

lazylivin · « **Reply #4 on:** December 18, 2011, 12:42:48 »

Yes if the fish develop it in the gills or in/around the mouth it could be a problem and would require surgery. It is not a good start to such a sensitive species of fish that already has high mortality rate in aquarium. Poor conditions trigger it. i.e. being pulled out of the ocean, sitting in a ammonia laden bag for a couple days then moved to a 30g tank and not eating well I am sure major contributors.

DarinSchmidt · « **Reply #5 on:** December 18, 2011, 12:44:51 »

forgot to mention also that usually that virus isnt what kills the fish but opens them up to bacterial infections which can kill it and other fish as well...

That was my word of caution

lazylivin · « **Reply #6 on:** December 18, 2011, 12:50:45 »

What is your recommendation Darin?

DarinSchmidt · « **Reply #7 on:** December 18, 2011, 13:00:39 »

I would quarentine him again, dose with an antibacterial solution or feed it foods to help boost it's immune system (garlic, etc) so that you dont destroy the bacterial grown in your QT, keep an eye on the parameters of the tank and do water changes as needed. Just to make sure none of your other fish get infected or exposed to other bacterial infections till the disease resides or shows signs of decreasing.

lazylivin · « **Reply #8 on:** December 18, 2011, 13:10:06 »

It has been in QT since 11/21 so no problem there. I have tried selcon in the food but it refuse to eat any food with it in there. Probably tastes bad. Even tried a bit of garlic with the selcon but it still doesn't like it. It is eating sponge, mysis, brine and it's favorite seems to be nori. It snacks on that all day. Haven't been able to get it to eat spectrum pellets yet which is what Bob Fenner recommends as their staple. Water parameters are good.

DarinSchmidt · « **Reply #9 on:** December 18, 2011, 13:20:40 »

Keep me posted on what happens and if you can eventually get the Idol to consume any of the garlic/Selco. I havent seen this in person but ran across those articles some time back when i was looking for a database of fish diseases. Interested in knowhing how things turn out.

lazylivin · « **Reply #10 on:** December 18, 2011, 13:30:08 »

Will do.

cyberwollf · « **Reply #11 on:** December 18, 2011, 13:58:51 »

I had some kind of white growth like that develop on my yellow tang when i first got it. The recommendation from Joel was to keep it happy and it will probably clear up. It did and had no problems since. Mine was in one spot that grew to the size of a pea, then fell off.

HUNGER · « **Reply #12 on:** December 18, 2011, 21:22:53 »

good luck brian hope he pulls out they are some great looken fish

Ashlar · « **Reply #13 on:** December 18, 2011, 23:52:16 »

Yeah, that's a "danged if you do, danged if you don't" kind of situation.

The best way to remove stress is likely to put him in your reef where he has room to move and things to pick, but you risk exposing your other fish to it.

Were it me, I'd probably risk it, assuming I had a pretty peaceful tank otherwise. Or at least attempt it and if the stress level in the tank spikes, get him out.

lazylivin · « **Reply #14 on:** December 19, 2011, 00:19:58 »

I was thinking the same Ashlar. Since stress is such a contributing factor I would really like to get him out of Quarantine. It is at the 28 day mark now. Considering going a couple more days before starting to raise salinity.

lazylivin · « **Reply #15 on:** December 20, 2011, 09:00:31 »

I caught the fish last night and using a wet Brillo pad gently wiped each side of the fish. It came right off. I can still see more spots developing in quite a few places under the skin. After that I let the fish sit in some paraguard for about 2 minutes. It was freaking out so I didn't do the full hour per the instructions. As soon as I put back in tank it was immediately calm and start searching for food like nothing happend.

What do you think, it has been 30 days. Should I keep in quarantine for another couple weeks or begin rasing salinty and move to display tank?

DarinSchmidt · « **Reply #16 on:** December 20, 2011, 09:54:50 »

If there arent any noticeable spots on the other fish, i would remove the Idol to another QT and start rasing the salinity. Maybe give the Idol another week in QT to see how the other spots develope. Then raise the Idols salinity, i think he should be ok.

Todd W. · « **Reply #17 on:** December 20, 2011, 11:27:39 »

Quote from: Lazylivin on December 20, 2011, 09:00:31

I caught the fish last night and using a wet Brillo pad gently wiped each side of the fish. It came right off. I can still see more spots developing in quite a few places under the skin. After that I let the fish sit in some paraguard for about 2 minutes. It was freaking out so I didn't do the full hour per the instructions. As soon as I put back in tank it was immediately calm and start searching for food like nothing happend.

What do you think, it has been 30 days. Should I keep in quarantine for another couple weeks or begin rasing salinty and move to display tank?

Weigh the pros and cons... Risk losing 1 fish due to stress and not having it in your display tank for a while longer. Or risk losing all your fish...

Logically the choice seems basic enough, but all in life is not based on logic...

HUNGER · « **Reply #18 on:** December 20, 2011, 18:36:44 »

i would move the other fish and keep the idol in qt for a few more weeks

lazylivin · « **Reply #19 on:** December 20, 2011, 19:22:07 »

Unfortunately I only have one QT.

HUNGER · « **Reply #20 on:** December 20, 2011, 20:02:08 »

ok wounder if u brought it back to normal and than moved ur all but the idol over to the main tank tand keep an eye on the idol for a few more weeks ??

Todd W. · « **Reply #21 on:** December 20, 2011, 21:05:28 »

Brian,

Do you need another QT?

lazylivin · « **Reply #22 on:** December 20, 2011, 21:16:23 »

I am good but thanks for asking Todd.

That is a great idea Dave! I think I will do that.

HUNGER · « **Reply #23 on:** December 20, 2011, 21:43:48 »

o wow i had a good idea

Steve · « **Reply #24 on:** December 21, 2011, 01:27:50 »

Would the addition of a cleaner shrimp possibly help?

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Author Topic: Lymphocystis on Moorish Idol (Read 6460 times)