Naso tang spots need help

[nucknill]

Hi there, this is my first ever post. I read through a few forums and gathered some really good info but I feel my situation is slightly different from any other forum I’ve read.
My Naso had a few spots while at my LFS but he was swimming fine and eating like a cow. They gave me a good deal on him because of the spots and sent me home with cupramine/metro+ and focus. These white spots (seem to only be on one side) are different from his stress marks. They have not multiplied, nor reduced. I have had him in cupramine for 3 days now and they have not changed but are always visible. He’s not eating super well but is getting some mysis shrimp and nori.
should I try something else or continue on a 2 week QT in cupramine?

thanks for the help!

 

[Jay Hemdal]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

You'll want to keep this fish in Copper for at least 14 days, just as a preventative. I always go with 30 days myself, but I use Coppersafe, which is milder.

Skip the metro+focus, it won't help. Metro needs to be dosed orally at a specific dose and just mixing the two together won't get you there. Also, metro is really bitter. The old joke is, how do you know if you have the proper metro dose? The fish refuse to eat it.

I would dose the tank with Prazipro at the conclusion of the copper. The fish looks a bit thin, so bulk it up feeding high fat/protein foods for now. Keep an eye on your ammonia levels though, don't let them rise.

If you can post clearer pictures and maybe a short video, I might be able to see more to tell you what the spots could be.

Jay

 

[nucknill]

Jay, sorry for the delay. I’ve posted a few pictures and a video.

 

[nucknill]

 

[Jay Hemdal]

The fish's respiration rate doesn't seem too elevated. I think these may be "blanched" spots from where a fluke is living. I would finish the 14 days of copper, then dose with Prazipro twice, according to label directions (be sure to aerate the tank well during treatment). As I said, I normally go 30 days copper, but I think you'll need to cut it short at 14 in order to dose with the prazi.

Jay

 

[nucknill]

Thanks a ton for the info. I’ve read a lot about FW dips for flukes. Is that an option as well??

 

[Jay Hemdal]

Thanks a ton for the info. I’ve read a lot about FW dips for flukes. Is that an option as well??

No, not as a treatment. FW dips do nothing for fluke eggs and larva in your tank, and dips are never 100% effective, so the fish will just get reinfected. The only thing FW dips are good for is as a diagnostic tool to confirm flukes (if you have a microscope) or in some cases, to buy you a little time to get a proper treatment started.

jay