Help with my bicolor dottyback

[backinthereef]

My bicolor dottyback has a weird white thing on it, it almost looks like a worm of some sort - please help!

I had trouble getting a good pic - he is wedged to the right of the toadstool

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

My bicolor dottyback has a weird white thing on it, it almost looks like a worm of some sort - please help!

I had trouble getting a good pic - he is wedged to the right of the toadstool

Sorry - just not a clear enough view. Looks like it could be an injury.
What other fish are in with it?
How long have you had this fish?

 

[backinthereef]

I tried to get a better pic (will keep trying) he is being super elusive at the moment - I have had him about 5 months - it’s a 20 gallon high and I have 2 clowns, scooter blenny, neon goby, the dottyback and a damsel - all get along well with no aggression that I have observed - even the damsel is mellow

 

[backinthereef]

I think this pic is better

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I think this pic is better

What species of damselfish? It only takes one bite to cause damage like this.

 

[backinthereef]

What species of damselfish? It only takes one bite to cause damage like this.

Does it look like an injury? It kind of dangles and looks like a worm?

It is an azure damselfish and he is remarkably calm - I have had him over a year

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Does it look like an injury? It kind of dangles and looks like a worm?

It is an azure damselfish and he is remarkably calm - I have had him over a year

The pics really aren't clear enough, but there isn't any external marine fish parasite that dangles and looks like a worm, so this is likely a skin tag with some mucus hanging off.

 

[backinthereef]

Which you think is the result of an injury? What do I do to help it heal?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Which you think is the result of an injury? What do I do to help it heal?

Tough to say. First, you need to ensure that another injury doesn’t happen. I suspect the damsel but maybe not.

If the fish is still eating normally, I’d just give it time to heal. If the spot is getting larger and/or the fish isn’t eating, then you would want to move the fish to a treatment tank and dose it with a broad spectrum gram negative antibiotic like kanaplex or Neoplex.

 

[backinthereef]

Tough to say. First, you need to ensure that another injury doesn’t happen. I suspect the damsel but maybe not.

If the fish is still eating normally, I’d just give it time to heal. If the spot is getting larger and/or the fish isn’t eating, then you would want to move the fish to a treatment tank and dose it with a broad spectrum gram negative antibiotic like kanaplex or Neoplex.

Thank you so much for helping! You are very patient