Mimic Tang Strange Colour

[Accelebree]

Hi Everyone,

I have had this mimic tang for about 4 months, and it has been healthy and eating well. However, the last few days I have noticed some strange behavior and its color seems to have changed.
Basically, I've noticed it flashing againt some large snail shells, and it seems a bit jumpy. Also, yesterday there seemed to be some white haze around its head and pectoral fins. Today, he seems less white been still has a strange mottled appearance. Is this normal behaviour in the progression of changing from juvenile to adult? Or should I be concerned about flukes or some kind of parasite?

Also of note, my melanurus wrasse was also acting up yesterday, twitching his head repeatedly which made me suspect flukes. however, today he is back to normal. I think i will still try to trap the melsnurus wrasse in case he needs treatment but unsure whether I need to be concerned about my tang as well.

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

#fishmedic

 

[winxp_man]

Video is not clear enough. See if you can get close or zoom in. Heads up posting on YT you can upload videos 2-4k and this will provide a clear video. Here on the forum you can only do so for videos aspect size.

 

[Boxed Fish]

Hi Everyone,

I have had this mimic tang for about 4 months, and it has been healthy and eating well. However, the last few days I have noticed some strange behavior and its color seems to have changed.
Basically, I've noticed it flashing againt some large snail shells, and it seems a bit jumpy. Also, yesterday there seemed to be some white haze around its head and pectoral fins. Today, he seems less white been still has a strange mottled appearance. Is this normal behaviour in the progression of changing from juvenile to adult? Or should I be concerned about flukes or some kind of parasite?

Also of note, my melanurus wrasse was also acting up yesterday, twitching his head repeatedly which made me suspect flukes. however, today he is back to normal. I think i will still try to trap the melsnurus wrasse in case he needs treatment but unsure whether I need to be concerned about my tang as well.

whats making the vid or water milky looking/cloudy?

 

[Accelebree]

whats making the vid or water milky looking/cloudy?

I think that is just my phone camera with the blue light. I recorded another video with white light I will upload that one.

 

[Accelebree]

Let me know if the quality is still too low

 

[Boxed Fish]

looks healthy discoloration could be from age or diet. are you dosing anything heavy? looks to be a big set up. beautiful by the way

 

[Accelebree]

Thanks! That is a relief to hear. No heavy dosing, just a small daily alkalinity and calcium dose. Should I be concerned if he keeps flashing?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Hi Everyone,

I have had this mimic tang for about 4 months, and it has been healthy and eating well. However, the last few days I have noticed some strange behavior and its color seems to have changed.
Basically, I've noticed it flashing againt some large snail shells, and it seems a bit jumpy. Also, yesterday there seemed to be some white haze around its head and pectoral fins. Today, he seems less white been still has a strange mottled appearance. Is this normal behaviour in the progression of changing from juvenile to adult? Or should I be concerned about flukes or some kind of parasite?

Also of note, my melanurus wrasse was also acting up yesterday, twitching his head repeatedly which made me suspect flukes. however, today he is back to normal. I think i will still try to trap the melsnurus wrasse in case he needs treatment but unsure whether I need to be concerned about my tang as well.

Flashing, when there isn’t particles or other irritants in the water, if it keeps up over days, especially when combined with skin changes, is most likely flukes.

 

[Accelebree]

The strange thing is, I haven't added any new fish since this mimic tang about 4 months ago, only added a new urchin about a week ago. Is it possible for flukes to incubate so long before becoming a problem?

 

[winxp_man]

What are your water parameters? Ammonia level?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

The strange thing is, I haven't added any new fish since this mimic tang about 4 months ago, only added a new urchin about a week ago. Is it possible for flukes to incubate so long before becoming a problem?

Three things are possible; 1) fluke infections can simmer as chronic infections for many months. 2) Neobenedenia fluke eggs have sticky tendrils and could have come in on the urchin. A single egg can start an infection. 3) this isn’t flukes. If the fish continues to flash daily, I’d treat for flukes any way, as praziquantel is reef safe:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/dosing-praziquantel-pzq.1105700/

 

[Accelebree]

Three things are possible; 1) fluke infections can simmer as chronic infections for many months. 2) Neobenedenia fluke eggs have sticky tendrils and could have come in on the urchin. A single egg can start an infection. 3) this isn’t flukes. If the fish continues to flash daily, I’d treat for flukes any way, as praziquantel is reef safe:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/dosing-praziquantel-pzq.1105700/

Oh interesting! Thank you so much for the information.