Gas Bubbles under the skin of Royal Gramma

[shadowstalker3]

Hello Everyone,

I am relatively new to the hobby of saltwater tanks, and have established a 55 G setup with 50 lbs of live rock and crushed coral substrate. After having cycled my tank and rock for 9 weeks I purchased my first two fish- a True Percula Clown and a Royal Gramma -and some hermit crabs for garbage patrol. The new tank inhabitants took pretty well, the Gramma hiding out for the first week or so, and the Clown having a very open and friendly disposition. Two weeks later I purchased two more fish for the tank, a 6 line wrasse and a yellow tang. they both are adapting very well.

A week ago I noticed my Gramma was developping gas bubbles under the skin, on his forehead and the side of his head. He has gone back to hiding out under the Zoomed Powerhead or in the rocks. When he does come out, he can be seen rubbing face on the rocks. None of the other fish have shown signs of this problem. Is this "Gas Bubble Disease"?

I have a Visi-Jet Protein Skimmer and a Powersweep Powerhead, that both seem to do a good job, and the Aquaclear 300 filtration system will soon be replaced.

Anybody else have a problem like this with their fish? Is it just a trait of the Grammas?

Thanks,

Jeff

 

[wade1]

It could be GBD although its fairly rare in most common species. It's most likely due to an infection of some sort. If you can get the fish out, you can try treating it with a medicine called Diamox (for the GBD) and a broad spectrum antibiotic. Other than that, feed it well and hope it recovers.

Good luck,
Wade

 

[cdeakle]

If he is scrathcing himself on rocks or equipment could this be ich of some sort? Are they white bubbles?

-puff

 

[shadowstalker3]

The bubbles are actually translucent or almost see-through, and not a milky white as is the standard for Ich I take it. This is why I am perplexed. There are symtoms for both Ich and GBD.

 

[Anonymous]

This could be Flukes. Not that Grammas are particularly easy prey for flukes, but I had an RG that came with them. When they are on the skin, they look like translucent bubbles because they are round, translucent, and come up off the skin slightly.

If you can observe him closely, you should be able to see the translucent bubbles pulsating slightly as the fluke breaths and they may even crawl across the skin a bit.

If it is flukes, a few freshwater dips should cure him. Just to see, catch him and give him a five minute dip in freshwater that is well oxygenated and pH and temperature matched to his tank water....you're new to this, so if you've never freshwater dipped a fish, make sure the pH is right on by using baking soda and be prepared for the fish to look very pissed off.

If they are flukes, they should start jumping ship at about minute three of the dip.

You should put him in a hospital tank until he is cured so that you don't have to keep catching him....come to think of it, he should have been in a quarantine tank from the start....now you have to catch him

Good Luck

 

[Anonymous]

I didn't justify why I think it's flukes: You said the bubbles are on the fish's head...Flukes stay close to the gills so they can feed on gill tussue, but they crowd eachother in there and the spend some time on the forehead and side of the head (staying near the gills). Also you said the fish was scratching...flukes are very iritating and the fish will scratch its head constantly.

Is he breathing heavy? Flukes will slowly eat the gills, causing resperatory distress.

Good Luck

 

[shadowstalker3]

Thanks Manny for the tips and diagnosis. Your symptomology is right on with what I am observing. The bubbles do undulate in the current and look very similar to blisters. He does scratch his head on the LR, and they are more prominent around his left gill. His breathing is more labored and he does not move around very much, and takes to hanging aroung the powerhead.

Unfortunately, he perished over the night. I went up to the tank this morning and he was floating upside down around the protein skimmer. I appreciate your help in this matter. Are these flukes able to jump from fish to fish? I have not heard of this disease before, and so am not aware of its contagious effects. I have a Perc, a yellow Tang and a 6 line wrasse left in the tank that presently are not showing any symptoms.

Regards,

Jeff

 

[Anonymous]

Sorry for your loss Jeff.

Flukes are fairly common in wild caught fish and you may see them again. They are contagious, but I doubt that your well established fish will come down with them....Still, keep a close eye on them for a few weeks, particularly around the gills.

The problem is that by the time you see the flukes all over the fish's head, they have chewed the gills up pretty bad already. My RG had scars around his gills from the flukes chewing him up.

If you even think one of your fish has contracted the flukes, give him a freshwater dip.

The good news is that flukes are the easiest parasite to get rid of.

You're lucky Jeff, this could have been velvet and you could be looking at a tank of very sick fish. You should quarantine new fish for a few weeks to prevent infecting your healthy fish with anything.

Good Luck

 

[shadowstalker3]

Thanks Manny. Your insight and experience is most appreciated and helpful.

Jeff