I just joined today and I need help for my purple tang
Jay Hemdal
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I just recently got a purple tang and today I notice a white grain on her fin. Not sure if it is a fluke or a type of copepods. I need help don’t know what to do. I have attached some pictures of it.
Thank you
Hi!
In looking over your images - the small white powder-like dots aren't there in real life, right? The only issues are the big white spot on its left pectoral(side) fin and the caudal(tail) fin?
My first thought was Lymphocystis. While it could be that, the spots look too bright white and smooth to me. Lymphocystis is usually grayish and lumpy. You may know about this - if it is Lymphocystis, it is a viral disease and there is no treatment, but the fish will get better in 8 weeks or so.
Some background info would be helpful:
How long have you had the tang?
Did the spots show up all at once, or did they grow gradually?
Jay
cubana
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thank you so much for the information. The tail is fine it is just a spot on the glass.
and the one on the fin it looks like some little bug attached to it, happened from the night to the morning.
Do you think is the same as you described?
PeterC99
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Every think of getting a Fire Shrimp? When my fish get a parasite on them, they go up to the Fire Shrimp, and the Fire Shrimp eats the parasite. Cool symbiotic relationship.
cubana
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I will have to see if that will helpEvery think of getting a Fire Shrimp? When my fish get a parasite on them, they go up to the Fire Shrimp, and the Fire Shrimp eats the parasite. Cool symbiotic relationship.
vetteguy53081
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I believe these are flukes.
In a clean pail or bucket, give it a freshwater dip 4-5 mins in same temperature water as your display tank. Return it to display tank after and look on bottom of bucket for what looks like sesame seeds or fish scales. If you can see them- Theyre flukes.
In a clean pail or bucket, give it a freshwater dip 4-5 mins in same temperature water as your display tank. Return it to display tank after and look on bottom of bucket for what looks like sesame seeds or fish scales. If you can see them- Theyre flukes.
Jay Hemdal
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No, it doesn’t sound like lymphocystis then. Copepods do show up from time to time, but are rarely fatal. They are so tough, that virtually any treatment that kills them would kill the fish. You might be able to dislodge it with a freshwater dip as @vetteguy53081 suggested.
Parasitic copepods usually have a nauplii larval stage. They don’t grow well in home aquariums, so the disease usually doesn’t spread.
Jay
Jay Hemdal
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Oh, I forgot - I posted an article here on Arthropod fish parasites. It is a PDF download. I’m on my phone and can’t link it for you but you might want to check it out.
Jay
cubana
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I think you are right, she is being very difficult to catch, so I don’t want to put more stress on her. Do you think a cleaner wrasse will do the job?
parasitic isopod perhaps?
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No. Attempt to catch it after tank is dark. You may get one shot before it catches on to your intentions.
RC51
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Welcome!!! Hope you get your tang fixed up soon!I just recently got a purple tang and today I notice a white grain on her fin. Not sure if it is a fluke or a type of copepods. I need help don’t know what to do. I have attached some pictures of it.
Thank you
Fish Think Pink
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Welcome!I just recently got a purple tang and today I notice a white grain on her fin. Not sure if it is a fluke or a type of copepods. I need help don’t know what to do. I have attached some pictures of it.
Thank you
Glad you joined and glad you've already gotten some amazing advice from knowledgeable people here on website. Regarding catching - I'm a believer in fish traps. There are lots of DIY instructions online if you search, but I've got both medium and large IceCap Fish Traps - LOVE them - they are a pain to setup initially with paper peel off the acrylic - and most LFS near me didn't have any in stock so I had to wait shipping, but they do work awesome (why I have two sizes). Let fish miss a meal, then put their food inside whatever trap you are using and in they go! Keep us posted - sending healing thoughts to your fish
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