Sick Coral Beauty

[Debc11]

Tried looking for past posts, just not finding any that match my situation. My Coral Beauty, heathly for the past six months that I have had her is lookin ill. Swims listlisly on the bottom of the tank, seems not even to have enough strength to swim up to the food at the top. The tail and dorsel fins are ragged and she seems to have bubbles occuring on her scales. Her color is dull and she is timid? I have a 90 gallon with:
2 Clarkii
1 O. Perc
1 sm. Hippo Tang
1 Bristletooth Tang (same size as the Beauty)
1 Flame Angel (no Angel harresment between them)
None of the other fish are paying any attention to her, so she doesn't seem as if she has been harressed. All other fish appear healthy, active and brightly colored
Any ideas?
Thank you!

 

[Vixyswillie]

Quarantine her before she dies! Her ragged tail and dorsal fins tell you she's been harassed without mercy. Her tankmates are probably ignorning her now because she doesn't have any strength left to pose any kind of perceived threat. And BTW - despite your feelings to the contrary - your flame angel would be highest on my list of suspects.

 

[Debc11]

I was able to catch the Coral Beauty by hand and moved her to move 10G. Anyone have any ideas about the spots? Doesn't look like Ick, they have already survived that a few months ago, it seems more her scales are peeling.
Thanks,
Deb

 

[LeoR]

Ragged fins could be from nips or from bacterial disease.

Could you provide more details:
-- Are the scales outlined in white?
-- What does the skin look like where "scales are peeling"?
-- Is the skin slimy or cloudy?
-- Any redness at/around gills and fin bases?

Also, if you can, try pressing the bubble spots with a Q-tip or something to see whether they'll burst. If not, try to describe them in more detail.

LeoR

 

[Markymarklar]

you might try posting a picture to get the most accurate diagnosis

 

[Debc11]

Could you provide more details:
-- Are the scales outlined in white? - No not outlined, she is just duller in color.
-- What does the skin look like where "scales are peeling"? - Appears like the white spots are on top of the scales, like Ick but not like it was last time it hit my tank.
-- Is the skin slimy or cloudy? - You might call it cloudy, it did not feel slimy when I picked her up.
-- Any redness at/around gills and fin bases? - Not that I can see, base of fins appear fine as do the gills.

Here are two photos:
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[LeoR]

It does not sound like a bacterial disease (at least not as primary cause).
The Beauty was probably nipped and may be coming down with Ich (it takes some time for Ich spots to show, they become visible only after Ich cysts drop off).
The large spots may be nip wounds, possibly invaded by fungus.

It is a good idea to maximize areation in the QT (avoid bubbles spreading throughout the tank, they'll irritate the fish).
If you want to be on the safe side:
-- Feed anti-bacterial medicated flakes (if fish eats).
-- Add 10 drops/gal Methylene blue (for fungus + parasites).

Otherwise, watch and wait for one more day; being left alone might help the fish recover a bit.

You may want to look for NitroFurazone in fish stores; if a bacterial infection develops you'll have to act quickly.
Post again if the situation deteriorates.

LeoR