Ich or Lymphocystis?

[litsoh]

I picked up a Milletseed Butterfly yesterday from a tank breakdown and put it into a 10 gallon for an observational QT, that night I noticed white specks on it that I had not seen when I had initially placed it into the tank. I’ve had some experience with lymphocystis before from my other butterfly but the specks on the new one were much more abundant so I’m unsure on if it is just that or ich.

 

[litsoh]

#fishmedic

 

[vetteguy53081]

I picked up a Milletseed Butterfly yesterday from a tank breakdown and put it into a 10 gallon for an observational QT, that night I noticed white specks on it that I had not seen when I had initially placed it into the tank. I’ve had some experience with lymphocystis before from my other butterfly but the specks on the new one were much more abundant so I’m unsure on if it is just that or ich.

Unfortunately, seeing ich here, You will need to place fish in Quarantine tank and treat with Coppersafe or Copper Power at therapeutic level 2.25 ppm For a FULL 30 days (do not interrupt this 30 day period) monitored by a reliable Copper Test kit such as Hanna Brand- No API brand. Also monitor Ammonia levels while in quarantine with a reliable test kit and add aeration during treatment using an air stone.
The display tank will have to be kept fishless (FALLOW) for 6-8 weeks to assure the existing parasites go through their life cycle without a host fish and die off and with occupants exposed, they too should go into quarantine
A quarantine tank can be as simple as a tank from a second hand store or a starter kit from Walmart which most of the needed essentials.

 

[litsoh]

That’s a shame, was really hoping it wasn’t. QT and treatment has already been started though. Thanks!

 

[Jay Hemdal]

I picked up a Milletseed Butterfly yesterday from a tank breakdown and put it into a 10 gallon for an observational QT, that night I noticed white specks on it that I had not seen when I had initially placed it into the tank. I’ve had some experience with lymphocystis before from my other butterfly but the specks on the new one were much more abundant so I’m unsure on if it is just that or ich.

That does look like ich. However, since the fish was recently moved into a new tank, it is remotely possible that this is detritus sticking to the fish’s skin.

I worry that a 10 gallon tank might be too small to manage this fish through quarantine, but you’ll want to treat this with Coppersafe for 30 days, monitored with a Hanna HR checker. Be sure to monitor the ammonia well!

 

[litsoh]

I picked up a Milletseed Butterfly yesterday from a tank breakdown and put it into a 10 gallon for an observational QT, that night I noticed white specks on it that I had not seen when I had initially placed it into the tank. I’ve had some experience with lymphocystis before from my other butterfly but the specks on the new one were much more abundant so I’m unsure on if it is just that or ich.

That does look like ich. However, since the fish was recently moved into a new tank, it is remotely possible that this is detritus sticking to the fish’s skin.

I worry that a 10 gallon tank might be too small to manage this fish through quarantine, but you’ll want to treat this with Coppersafe for 30 days, monitored with a Hanna HR checker. Be sure to monitor the ammonia well!

It definitely isn’t full grown size, just about 3” so hopefully that helps things a bit. Also planning on daily water changes and using stability to help with any ammonia issues. I also have a Hanna checker on hand to make sure my copper levels are where they should be.

Question though, after a water change and re-dosing of coppersafe how long should I wait for it to evenly distribute throughout they tank before using my Hanna checker?

 

[Jay Hemdal]

It definitely isn’t full grown size, just about 3” so hopefully that helps things a bit. Also planning on daily water changes and using stability to help with any ammonia issues. I also have a Hanna checker on hand to make sure my copper levels are where they should be.

Question though, after a water change and re-dosing of coppersafe how long should I wait for it to evenly distribute throughout they tank before using my Hanna checker?

That depends on water flow in the tank. The best way to do this is to redose the copper in the newly mixed seawater in the bucket before you add it to the tank.

 

[PopBot16]

Ich IMO.