Dragon Goby with dissolving skull

[CHOMPERS]

Several months ago I bought a Dragon Goby with what I thought was a deformed mouth. Yes, I know the rule...Don't buy sick fish. I just felt sorry for this guy. The big problem with him is that starting with the bones in his mouth, his skull is disolving and it has now gone past one of his eyes. His skin is normal so it is my guess that it is an internal problem.

Has anyone heard of this or anything like it? What can be done to stop it or slow it down.

 

[Miles]

These guys are mass harvested through-out SA/CA and likely have horrible internal parasite problems. They can be shipped in heavy numbers, to make them extremely inexpensive for wholesalers.. These horrible conditions can be very stressful, not to mention the lack of proper water paramter requirements and multiple re-acclimations, succumbing to parasites and disease is all too common with this species.

I would treat with Metronidazole and make sure he is getting a healthy fill of foods.. Tubifex Worms, Mosquito Larvae, Daphnia, Brine/Mysis Shrimp and Bloodworms are all suitable food choices, but you may have to target feed (turkey baster) them and get them used to prepared foods. I would imagine blackworms would be a delicacy to them.

Or give Brackish Water a try.. it does wonders for Brackish fish

 

[CHOMPERS]

These guys are mass harvested through-out SA/CA and likely have horrible internal parasite problems. They can be shipped in heavy numbers, to make them extremely inexpensive for wholesalers.. These horrible conditions can be very stressful, not to mention the lack of proper water paramter requirements and multiple re-acclimations, succumbing to parasites and disease is all too common with this species.

I would treat with Metronidazole and make sure he is getting a healthy fill of foods.. Tubifex Worms, Mosquito Larvae, Daphnia, Brine/Mysis Shrimp and Bloodworms are all suitable food choices, but you may have to target feed (turkey baster) them and get them used to prepared foods. I would imagine blackworms would be a delicacy to them.

Or give Brackish Water a try.. it does wonders for Brackish fish

Thanks Miles, I had treated them when I got them and have kept them in brackish. They are in fresh right now until I get all of my tanks rearranged. Thanks again for all of the info.
Ron