Blue Tang with white spots (maybe not ich)

[heritage755]

History: fish was ordered from LiveAquaria march 2023. Qt with copper and prazipro 45 days before going into DT and have had no problems…. Until last week. Noticed a few white spots on the fish. They were faint then disappeared. I haven’t seen them again until just now. This morning I looked at the tank and didn’t notice anything and then two hours later the below photo was taken. I’ve watched the fish and notice occasional scratching against sand and rock but he’s swimming normal and eating nori.

Parameters: tested last weekend before 1/4 tank capacity water change. Approximately 25gal in Waterbox Marinex 90
temp-78
Salinity-1.026
PH-8.2
Alk-7.3
Calc-500?1st time with this Hanna checker
Nitrate-12.3
Phosphate-.85

The tank is about 2yrs old and I have 2 clowns, a damsel, sand sifting goby and 1 Banggai Cardinal. I also have 2 rbta and a torch that could possibly sting it,idk?

The pictures aren’t awesome but I don’t see any protrusion from the fish at the white spots just the discoloration. No spots on any other fish and no change in any fish behavior.

Thoughts? Is this Ich? I don’t think it’s flukes either but I’m no pro. I know I need to lower nitrates and phosphates also, or at least I think I should.

 

[MnFish1]

Nice tank! BTW - have you added any new fish to the tank after the tang? Do you see symptoms in other fish? Are your parameters all good (today)

 

[MnFish1]

The spots to me does not look like Ich - Its too faint, and too diffuse. To me thats inflammation around a former parasite. I note that you mentioned you thought your nitrates etc may be high - but the nitrate of 12 (if I'm reading your results correctly) is not causing this issue. Nor would I recommend anything to do with that now - except if it's rising, you should address it then.

Though the spots I see aren't Ich, they are evidence that Ich could be there. and is leaving scars/mucus plugs which should be temporary. Watch for the classic Ich - which is 'a grain of salt'. It's important to see if the spots you're seeing are shifting every couple days - which would suggest Ich.

 

[MnFish1]

PS - are you aiming for an alkalinity of 7.3? Some might say it's slightly low.

 

[vetteguy53081]

History: fish was ordered from LiveAquaria march 2023. Qt with copper and prazipro 45 days before going into DT and have had no problems…. Until last week. Noticed a few white spots on the fish. They were faint then disappeared. I haven’t seen them again until just now. This morning I looked at the tank and didn’t notice anything and then two hours later the below photo was taken. I’ve watched the fish and notice occasional scratching against sand and rock but he’s swimming normal and eating nori.

Parameters: tested last weekend before 1/4 tank capacity water change. Approximately 25gal in Waterbox Marinex 90
temp-78
Salinity-1.026
PH-8.2
Alk-7.3
Calc-500?1st time with this Hanna checker
Nitrate-12.3
Phosphate-.85

The tank is about 2yrs old and I have 2 clowns, a damsel, sand sifting goby and 1 Banggai Cardinal. I also have 2 rbta and a torch that could possibly sting it,idk?

The pictures aren’t awesome but I don’t see any protrusion from the fish at the white spots just the discoloration. No spots on any other fish and no change in any fish behavior.

Thoughts? Is this Ich? I don’t think it’s flukes either but I’m no pro. I know I need to lower nitrates and phosphates also, or at least I think I should.

This fish appears to have mucus cones likely mixed in with ich and will require quarantine and treatment using copper safe at 2.25 for 4-5 weeks
If any, how do other fish look?
Is hepatus eating normal?

 

[heritage755]

And they’re mostly gone now.

Thank you for the replies. This fish and my others are eating normal. Tang eats Mysis, nori and tdo pellets whenever offered. No tank bullies that I see. Tang is the largest fish at about three inches.

My Alk is also low. I’m sitting on an avast marine kalk stirrer that I need to hook up. I also have 25watt Lifegard UV I need to get plumbed.

Guess I’ll get the QT cleaned up tonight

 

[vetteguy53081]

And they’re mostly gone now.

Thank you for the replies. This fish and my others are eating normal. Tang eats Mysis, nori and tdo pellets whenever offered. No tank bullies that I see. Tang is the largest fish at about three inches.

My Alk is also low. I’m sitting on an avast marine kalk stirrer that I need to hook up. I also have 25watt Lifegard UV I need to get plumbed.

Guess I’ll get the QT cleaned up tonight

See if spots return tomorrow.
For diet, add some of the following:

LRS fiah frenzy
Formula 2 flake and frozen
small plankton
Hikari Marine cuisine
Ocean nutrition veggie diet
spirulina brine shrimp