ID on spots on fins

[Mikemilly245]

Okay so before everyone immediately types it’s ich it’s ich !! Let me explain why I think it MAY NOT be (feel free to prove me wrong)

•The puffer has looked like this for 3 days now. Was waiting for the spots to disappear as that’s what they’ve done in the past but it doesn’t seem they are this time.

•All fish are eating well / twice a day

• puffer and 1 clownfish are the only fish with large spots

•no lethargic behavior / flashing

•spots seem to be larger, not a coating but you can individually count the spots

At least in my experience, this doesn’t seem like ich. All the times I’ve dealt with that disease the fish would be dead by now, and every other fish wouldn’t be far behind it.

What am I dealing with here ?? Am I completely mistaken and this is 100% ich? Or should i keep waiting it out and see what happens ? I don’t wanna jump the gun on removing from tank and stressing everyone out in toxic chemicals and medicine if it’s not needed.

#fishmedic

I apologize for sp#fishmedics forum I’m just so tired of worrying about This

 

[jaghorireefs&mma]

Hey, I think you're actually on the right track here. Based on what you described, it really doesn’t sound like ich to me either. The fact that the spots are large, countable, and only affecting the puffer and one clownfish, plus no signs of flashing, lethargy, or loss of appetite, points more toward something like lymphocystis or even just minor skin irritation. Ich usually spreads quickly and affects most fish in the tank, and you'd probably see more behavioral symptoms by now. Plus these spots are far too large to be ich. Puffers are especially known for developing odd-looking bumps from time to time that aren't always parasites. I’d recommend doing a water change, maybe boosting water quality with some carbon or a polyfilter just in case if you can't get those Stability by Seachem is pretty widely available also continue to monitor closely. If the spots don’t get worse and the fish keep eating and acting normal, it’s probably best to avoid jumping into meds and stressing them out more. If things start to get worse like if the spots begin spreading to more fish, get denser, or you notice any flashing, labored breathing, loss of appetite, or hanging near the surface then it’s time to dose. At that point, I’d recommend setting up a separate hospital tank if you can, especially since puffers don’t tolerate copper well (had a blue spot die in a copper treatment in the shop 2 years back) For puffers, formalin-based treatments like ParaGuard can be safer, and daily freshwater dips can help knock off parasites without chemical overload. Keep the main display tank fallow for at least 6–8 weeks if it’s ich (very unlikely), Also I suggest since they are still eating soak their food in garlic since this helps boost their immune systems. But again, only jump into this plan if you’re seeing clear signs of progression.



Regards,
Slade

 

[Sharkbait19]

It doesn’t show up super well on the video, but my thought would be injuries/fin damage.
If there’s any aggressors in the tank (like clownfish or tangs), they can cause that sort of damage in a fight.

 

[Uncle99]

It to me, at least resembles ick.
and on a fish that’s prone to that parasite.
Fuzzy, so maybe way off base.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Okay so before everyone immediately types it’s ich it’s ich !! Let me explain why I think it MAY NOT be (feel free to prove me wrong)

•The puffer has looked like this for 3 days now. Was waiting for the spots to disappear as that’s what they’ve done in the past but it doesn’t seem they are this time.

•All fish are eating well / twice a day

• puffer and 1 clownfish are the only fish with large spots

•no lethargic behavior / flashing

•spots seem to be larger, not a coating but you can individually count the spots

At least in my experience, this doesn’t seem like ich. All the times I’ve dealt with that disease the fish would be dead by now, and every other fish wouldn’t be far behind it.

What am I dealing with here ?? Am I completely mistaken and this is 100% ich? Or should i keep waiting it out and see what happens ? I don’t wanna jump the gun on removing from tank and stressing everyone out in toxic chemicals and medicine if it’s not needed.

#fishmedic

I apologize for sp#fishmedics forum I’m just so tired of worrying about This

Visually, it looks like ich. You don't always see the "drop off and return" of the spots. That's a common symptom of a new ich infection, where the parasites are all in sync with each other. In other cases, the ich infection starts off more slowly and the "drop off and return" happens early on, before you've really seen spots. Fish with ich eat well, rarely scratch and are not lethargic until far into the infection cycle. If this is ich, you're still about 5 to 7 days from that point.

Here is the best way to track ich: take a clear picture of one of the fish's fins. Then take another picture each day. Map the location of the spots - if they are in the same location day to day, it isn't ich. If they move from location to location, it's ich.

 

[MnFish1]

Okay so before everyone immediately types it’s ich it’s ich !! Let me explain why I think it MAY NOT be (feel free to prove me wrong)

One thing that may help you is to think through what it might be if its not ich, and is there anything you should/could/can do for it.

•The puffer has looked like this for 3 days now. Was waiting for the spots to disappear as that’s what they’ve done in the past but it doesn’t seem they are this time.

How long have you had these fish. Were they quarantined? Have you added anything new lately?
I don't know why but I always find it difficult to track spots especially on puffers.

•All fish are eating well / twice a day

• puffer and 1 clownfish are the only fish with large spots

The fact that you have 2 fish with spots suggests a disease process. Can you try to take a clear picture in addition to the video to show the spots on both fish clearly? It is impossible to see relatively how big the spots are. If indeed they are big spots that are not moving, lymphocystis is possible - but unlikely IMHO

•no lethargic behavior / flashing

Lethargy would be a late symptom. I see flashing more with flukes?

•spots seem to be larger, not a coating but you can individually count the spots

See above - its common to be able to individually be able to count the spots - especially if the fish has potentially developed some partial immunity

At least in my experience, this doesn’t seem like ich. All the times I’ve dealt with that disease the fish would be dead by now, and every other fish wouldn’t be far behind it.

There are many people that have had the opposite experience - especially if they treat the fish with medications. Speaking of that - just in case, what medications do you have available in your area.
I would suggest having some chelated copper and prazipro available (as well as a hospital tank) - in case you need them. As others have said - the fins look a little off to me as well - which can be bullying, or a sign of disease. Again - watching whats happening will help

What am I dealing with here ?? Am I completely mistaken and this is 100% ich? Or should i keep waiting it out and see what happens ? I don’t wanna jump the gun on removing from tank and stressing everyone out in toxic chemicals and medicine if it’s not needed.

I think the fact that 2 fish are affected suggests a disease - and lymphocystis is not usually transmitted to other fish. This fact - assuming there are similar spots on both fish suggests some treatment is warranted - and especially if anything is worsening/changing at all - and I would carefully look at your other fish. I would reserve comments on that until it's clear with pictures and more history (i.e. have you quarantined, etc - see above)

#fishmedic

I apologize for sp#fishmedics forum I’m just so tired of worrying about This

Thats what everyone is here for. It is stressful.

 

[MnFish1]

Hey, I think you're actually on the right track here. Based on what you described, it really doesn’t sound like ich to me either. The fact that the spots are large, countable, and only affecting the puffer and one clownfish, plus no signs of flashing, lethargy, or loss of appetite, points more toward something like lymphocystis or even just minor skin irritation.

I don't think this is correct (but it might be) - it is fairly rare for skin irritations or lymphocystis to be transmittable - I think we need more history from the OP.

Ich usually spreads quickly and affects most fish in the tank, and you'd probably see more behavioral symptoms by now. Plus these spots are far too large to be ich. Puffers are especially known for developing odd-looking bumps from time to time that aren't always parasites. I’d recommend doing a water change,

I would make sure that the parameters in the tank are NOT in line before doing a water change to help this type of issue.

maybe boosting water quality with some carbon or a polyfilter just in case if you can't get those Stability by Seachem is pretty widely available also continue to monitor closely. If the spots don’t get worse and the fish keep eating and acting normal, it’s probably best to avoid jumping into meds and stressing them out more.

Water quality is important - however it's also possible for things to go downhill quickly - and once nearly any disease is spreading - the original fish are often much worse - and the concentration of parasites in the tank may overwhelm the others. I agree with not jumping into treatment without more information - but it would prepare for that possibility

If things start to get worse like if the spots begin spreading to more fish, get denser, or you notice any flashing, labored breathing, loss of appetite, or hanging near the surface then it’s time to dose.

By the time this happens, it's often too late. I'm going to edit my opinion some - IF the OP didn't quarantine the fish I would go through that protocol with a fallow period.

At that point, I’d recommend setting up a separate hospital tank if you can, especially since puffers don’t tolerate copper well (had a blue spot die in a copper treatment in the shop 2 years back) For puffers, formalin-based treatments like ParaGuard can be safer, and daily freshwater dips can help knock off parasites without chemical overload.

Daily freshwater dips can be extremely stressful for fish. If it is clear that it is ich, hypo salinity is also an option.

Keep the main display tank fallow for at least 6–8 weeks if it’s ich (very unlikely), Also I suggest since they are still eating soak their food in garlic since this helps boost their immune systems. But again, only jump into this plan if you’re seeing clear signs of progression.

I do not think there is a significant change with regards to garlic boosting the immune system - there is some evidence/thought that it can stimulate appetite.

Regards,
Slade

 

[Mikemilly245]

Okay I’m starting to rethink my decision and I’m starting to think it’s ich.

Tips for getting this guy out and into quarantine?? @Jay Hemdal

What medications at what intensity ?

He’s not acting himself today

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Okay I’m starting to rethink my decision and I’m starting to think it’s ich.

Tips for getting this guy out and into quarantine?? @Jay Hemdal

What medications at what intensity ?

He’s not acting himself today

Can you post a video?

Coppersafe at 2.5 ppm measured with a Hanna checker in an established quarantine tank is the very best treatment option, and it covers velvet as well.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Post video under white light intensity, no blue please and of at least 20-30 seconds

 

[Mikemilly245]

Ill get a better one tomorrow I gotta get to bed