Purple Tang Bump. Parasite or Fin Flaw?

[AKL1950]

There appears to be a bump on my Purple Tang’s top fin and I can’t figure out what it is. At first I thought it was a piece of food stuck to her fin, but it’s been there a while and I don’t think that’s it. In certain light/angle it looks white, but in others it looks the same color as the fin. It’s the only spot on her. In the pictures, you have to look along the top edge of her dorsal fin at the highest crest. Do fish get skin tags? Everyone in the tank went through full quarantine.

 

[AKL1950]

 

[Gtinnel]

Being on the edge of a fin I’d guess lympho, but it’s hard to tell from the pics.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Don’t believe lymphocystis or parasitical but hard to clearly see under heavy blue lighting
Please post pics under white lighting

 

[AKL1950]

Don’t believe lymphocystis or parasitical but hard to clearly see under heavy blue lighting
Please post pics under white lighting

This is the best I could do. She just doesnt want to sit still.

 

[vetteguy53081]

This is the best I could do. She just doesnt want to sit still.

Yeah, the reflection from your lens is like a mirror to them
Appears to be a cyst and not parasitical
Keep an eye on it for improvement, not worsening

 

[AKL1950]

Yeah, the reflection from your lens is like a mirror to them
Appears to be a cyst and not parasitical
Keep an eye on it for improvement, not worsening

Thanks Vetteguy. It seems to bother me a lot more than it bothers her.

 

[Gtinnel]

Still looks like lymphocystis to me. If it is lympho it is not treatable, but it is also not dangerous to the fish as long as it doesn’t spread to an area like the mouth or gills. Lympho almost always starts on the edge of fins and usually only spreads to the body from a fin that comes in contact with the body of the fish.

 

[Jay Hemdal]

It could be Lymphocystis based on its location along a fin edge. If you've had the fish for more than 4 months of so, it probably isn't that. The next thing would be a broken/bumped fin ray.

In either case, the fish looks really good, I don't see anything treatable.

Jay

 

[AKL1950]

It could be Lymphocystis based on its location for any change along a fin edge. If you've had the fish for more than 4 months of so, it probably isn't that. The next thing would be a broken/bumped fin ray.

In either case, the fish looks really good, I don't see anything treatable.

Jay

Thanks Jay. I’ve had it for about a month. Came from DrReef. Whatever it is, it appeared about two weeks ago. Hasn’t gotten any bigger and she acts perfectly normal. She is also the most aggressive eater in the tank. Definitely no lack of appetite. The only one she might joust with is the Powder Blue, but I’ve never seen any aggression between them. They actually take turns on the algae clip and no aggression. I’ll watch it for any change.

Jetson

 

[AKL1950]

Things are not good. This showed up on her face this morning. Definitely need some guidance here.

 

[Jay Hemdal]

Things are not good. This showed up on her face this morning. Definitely need some guidance here.

That doesn't have the same appearance as the other issue. In this case, the epidermis is missing (like from a scrape injury) while in the other fin issue, the coloration was still blue, indicating the epidermis was intact.

The quick development rules out Head and Lateral Line erosion. I think the fish got spooked and ran into something in the tank.

Jay

 

[AKL1950]

That doesn't have the same appearance as the other issue. In this case, the epidermis is missing (like from a scrape injury) while in the other fin issue, the coloration was still blue, indicating the epidermis was intact.

The quick development rules out Head and Lateral Line erosion. I think the fish got spooked and ran into something in the tank.

Jay

Probably me trying to take too many pictures of her. If I just leave her alone, should it be able to heal?

 

[AKL1950]

The quick development rules out Head and Lateral Line erosion. I think the fish got spooked and ran into something in the tank.

Hey Jay. The white spot on her face is almost completely gone. If I had never seen it before, I wouldn’t even know it was once there. Guess you were right and she just bumped into something. Can’t believe it healed that quick. Little “tag” on her dorsal is still there, but looking the same color as her dorsal fin. (What looks like brown specs on her face are on the glass in front of her) I’m thinking she’s fine.

 

[Jay Hemdal]

Looks fine to me!
Jay