Clownfish Diagnosis

[Jaimie]

Hello! Over the past couple of days my clownfish has developed this white area down her side. It doesn’t seem to be raised or fuzzy but the area is quite large. I wasn’t sure if it was a scrape or trauma but now it seems to be moving back towards the tail so I’m trying to figure out what’s going on. No signs of anything on the other fish. Thanks for any ideas or suggestions! 

[geekreef_05]

oh yikes. It might be Brooklynella. Others can confirm this. I havent personally encountered this one myself. 

Check out this Identification Thread to make your own judgement : https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/fish-disease-index-pictorial-guide.199/

 

If its Brook, i recommend taking action immediately. I understand its a fast-acting illness. 

[mcarroll]

Is this fish in a reef tank, or what is its situation?  Looks like a pretty sharp photo, are you able to catch the fish without causing too much disturbance?

 

Do you see any loose "shreds" of skin?  Going by the literature (and without getting a microscope involved), that's usually the shorthand diagnostic for Brooklynella.

 

If the fish were harassed (ie by another fish, while being netted, etc) it's possible that it's a surface abrasion, and not an infection.

 

Brroklynella is known as a gill pathogen, so I would expect some other signs of ill health and not ONLY the discolored skin – breathing issues?