Ich or Velvet?

[swolemermaid]

I recently upgraded my tank, which could definitely be considered a “stress event” for the fish. I’ve always assumed the spots I occasionally saw were ich and managed them with high water quality and a UV sterilizer. However, some of the recent outbreaks after the transfer have me wondering if this might actually be velvet instead. The tank move was two weeks ago, and I haven’t lost any fish so far. I’ve attached some photos—curious to hear your thoughts. Sorry if the pictures aren't great. Only half of my fish are showing symptoms - All my wrasses look great. Thanks!

 

[vetteguy53081]

I recently upgraded my tank, which could definitely be considered a “stress event” for the fish. I’ve always assumed the spots I occasionally saw were ich and managed them with high water quality and a UV sterilizer. However, some of the recent outbreaks after the transfer have me wondering if this might actually be velvet instead. The tank move was two weeks ago, and I haven’t lost any fish so far. I’ve attached some photos—curious to hear your thoughts. Sorry if the pictures aren't great. Only half of my fish are showing symptoms - All my wrasses look great. Thanks!

This fish is susceptible to skin irritations and these appear to be mucus cones often triggered by irritations and may be mixed in with ich. Place this fish and other occupants into a separate tank or container and treat 30 days with coppersafe at 2.25ppm. You will notice others not showing signs which is typical when mucus cones are present.
Leave display without fish for 45 days ( coral and inverts can remain and do a couple of water changes during this period

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I recently upgraded my tank, which could definitely be considered a “stress event” for the fish. I’ve always assumed the spots I occasionally saw were ich and managed them with high water quality and a UV sterilizer. However, some of the recent outbreaks after the transfer have me wondering if this might actually be velvet instead. The tank move was two weeks ago, and I haven’t lost any fish so far. I’ve attached some photos—curious to hear your thoughts. Sorry if the pictures aren't great. Only half of my fish are showing symptoms - All my wrasses look great. Thanks!

Velvet is fairly rare and causes distinct symptoms; rapid breathing, not eating and sometimes hanging in water currents. you won't see any changes to the fish's skin until closely before it dies. Velvet is also fast acting and cannot be "managed", the fish usually die within 5 days of the onset of symptoms.

This photo isn't really clear/close enough to say for certain, but I would be leaning towards this being ich and not mucus plugs (those are common with this fish).

You likely will not be able to continue to "manage" this outbreak, it is pretty heavy. You'll need to either treat all fish in a hospital tank with an amine-based copper at 2.25 ppm, or run hyposalinity in the display at 1.009 for 30 days. Neither treatment is suitable with invertebrates present though.