Ich, Velvet, or Other?

Mantis Toboggan · Oct 3, 2025

I saw these white spots on my bristletooth tang 2 nights, ago. Today was the first opportunity I had to get a good video. Does this look like ich or Velvet? The spots haven't spread and behavior remains normal aside from the spots, he's eating like a pig and swimming normally. Any opinions would be appreciated.

vetteguy53081 · Oct 3, 2025

Mantis Toboggan said:
I saw these white spots on my bristletooth tang 2 nights, ago. Today was the first opportunity I had to get a good video. Does this look like ich or Velvet? The spots haven't spread and behavior remains normal aside from the spots, he's eating like a pig and swimming normally. Any opinions would be appreciated.

This is a severe case of ich and fish and all other occupants will need to be placed in a separate sterile tank using coppersafe or copper power for a full 30 days at 2.25ppm with an air stone added and monitor copper level with 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.
Leave display tank fishless (fallow) for 6-8 weeks to assure parasites have died off without a host fish. Inverts and coral can remain in the display tank

MnFish1 · Oct 3, 2025

Velvet is usually not seen as 'spots' in marine fish - but rather breathing and other issues. FWIW - I cant see the video.

Jay Hemdal · Oct 3, 2025

Mantis Toboggan said:
I saw these white spots on my bristletooth tang 2 nights, ago. Today was the first opportunity I had to get a good video. Does this look like ich or Velvet? The spots haven't spread and behavior remains normal aside from the spots, he's eating like a pig and swimming normally. Any opinions would be appreciated.

Agree, this is a moderately severe case of ich. As said, you’ll going to need to treat all of the fish in a treatment tank. Setting one on the fly is tough, you need a bio filter to manage the ammonia.