Is my Powder Blue sick?

[mowaka]

Can anybody tell me what’s up with my powder blue? All other fish are fine. No corals in this tank. He seems to be swimming sideways but only sometimes. He’s also swimming perfectly straight when he wants to so I don’t think it’s his swim bladder. He also has these dark spots (see pictures) on his body. He’s eating as normal and all other fish not showing any signs of anything abnormal.

Have had him around 2 months with no issues. He was last inhabitant to be added. Cleaner Wrasse is following him around and seems to be picking off parasites off his body. Help please!!!

Salinity 1.026
PH 8.1
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10
Phos 0.07

 

[vetteguy53081]

These fish are prone to a couple of issues but first to clearly identify, please post pics under bright white light intensity - No blue please

 

[mowaka]

These fish are prone to a couple of issues but first to clearly identify, please post pics under bright white light intensity - No blue please

 

[mowaka]

Some white stuff on his fins but I think it’s sand. I may be wrong

 

[vetteguy53081]

As suspected why I asked for pics- These are mucus plugs often begun with a skin irritation and mixed in with ich and you will notice, no other occupants show signs but keep an eye on them for any. The Powder blue will have to be placed in a separate tank and treated with coppersafe at 2.25ppm 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.

 

[mowaka]

As suspected why I asked for pics- These are mucus plugs often begun with a skin irritation and mixed in with ich and you will notice, no other occupants show signs but keep an eye on them for any. The Powder blue will have to be placed in a separate tank and treated with coppersafe at 2.25ppm 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.

Ok thank you. Catching him will be tough. He’s extremely active and moves around a lot. I will try my best.

 

[exnisstech]

As suspected why I asked for pics- These are mucus plugs often begun with a skin irritation and mixed in with ich and you will notice, no other occupants show signs but keep an eye on them for any. The Powder blue will have to be placed in a separate tank and treated with coppersafe at 2.25ppm 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.

Won't the PB just get reinfected when its placed back into the DT ?

 

[vetteguy53081]

After treatment- no and I cant recall a reoccurance in q

Won't the PB just get reinfected when its placed back into the DT ?

After treatment- no and I cant recall a reoccurrence in quite a long time

 

[vetteguy53081]

Fish trap or dual net has been my successful Go-to

 

[exnisstech]

After treatment- no and I cant recall a reoccurance in q

After treatment- no and I cant recall a reoccurrence in quite a long time

Ok. Everything I've read says the DT needs to be fallowed and all fish treated. Maybe I'm missing something or misunderstanding.

 

[TastesLikeChicken]

Ok. Everything I've read says the DT needs to be fallowed and all fish treated. Maybe I'm missing something or misunderstanding.

I’m in agreement with you. Once the tank is infected you need to treat all and go fallow or practice ich management.

 

[exnisstech]

I’m in agreement with you. Once the tank is infected you need to treat all and go fallow or practice ich management.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Ok. Everything I've read says the DT needs to be fallowed and all fish treated. Maybe I'm missing something or misunderstandin

This is not the typical outbreak of ich but an irritation which may be mixed with it. Other occupants will Not show signs in which I advise keep an eye on it. Again - Mucus cones often occurring after quarantine

 

[vetteguy53081]

I’m in agreement with you. Once the tank is infected you need to treat all and go fallow or practice ich management.

This is often a reaction and not an outbreak. Too many have found this is the case and fish recovered fully without others infected. This species develops that symptom pretty often during and after quarantine. They can be benign, and go away on their own once any stress has been reduced. In some cases though, the stress that causes these is in turn from an external parasite.

 

[TastesLikeChicken]

Interesting!

 

[Miami Reef]

Ok. Everything I've read says the DT needs to be fallowed and all fish treated. Maybe I'm missing something or misunderstanding.

You aren’t going crazy.

If there are still fish remaining in the tank, the powder blue will get reinfected when added back.

Mucus plugs have no treatment besides for basic husbandry care (as far as I know), so I don’t understand the copper suggestion if ich isn’t a concern for him (if it was a real concern, a fallow would have been suggested.)

@Jay Hemdal Please clear this up.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

You aren’t going crazy.

If there are still fish remaining in the tank, the powder blue will get reinfected when added back.

Mucus plugs have no treatment besides for basic husbandry care (as far as I know), so I don’t understand the copper suggestion if ich isn’t a concern for him (if it was a real concern, a fallow would have been suggested.)

@Jay Hemdal Please clear this up.

I'm still on the fence if this is ich or not. I couldn't see it in the pictures on my phone before. I just looked again using my main computer, and I still am unsure.

Clearer pics and a video might help. Sometimes, just waiting a few days for the trophonts to develop more fully can help with the diagnosis.

 

[exnisstech]

I'm still on the fence if this is ich or not. I couldn't see it in the pictures on my phone before. I just looked again using my main computer, and I still am unsure.

Clearer pics and a video might help. Sometimes, just waiting a few days for the trophonts to develop more fully can help with the diagnosis.

Hey Jay just for clarification for myself and possibly others. If it is determined treatment in copper is required all fish must be treated and the tank fallowed correct?
The treating a single fish in copper recommendation I found confusing. Thanks for all your help.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Hey Jay just for clarification for myself and possibly others. If it is determined treatment in copper is required all fish must be treated and the tank fallowed correct?
The treating a single fish in copper recommendation I found confusing. Thanks for all your help.

Yes - IMO, if you have a tank with external parasites that have a resting stage (ich. velvet or flukes) all exposed fish need to be removed and treated and the tank allowed to run fallow. Treating a single fish with copper is just not advised.