Scopas tang with black spots on dorsal fin

[insanelogic]

I have this scopas tang in a 95 gallon tank and all the water parameters are spot on, the tang has black spots on its fin and it’s slowly creeping down to its body, it’s had these things on it since around November and I’ve tried treating with prazipro and that didn’t work and I tried melafix and Pimafix and that didn’t work either, the fish seems to be alright with it, he eats whenever I feed him and just seems normal but I’d like to find out what’s wrong before it spreads more. Thanks to everyone that reads this

 

[lelandmarine]

Can’t see very well but could be ‘black ich’ see links

Pictures of common fish diseases

Fish Disease Index - Pictorial Guide

Pictorial Guide to Marine Fish Diseases Use this guide to find a picture that most closely matches your fish's symptoms. Click the link, if available for more detailed information on the disease and how to treat it. Ich (Cryptocaryon Irritans)...

www.reef2reef.com



Black Ich (turbellarians)

Black Ich (turbellarians) What You Need To Know: * Parasitic flatworm infestation; tangs are most often afflicted. * Primary symptom is small black dots on the fish. (Not to be confused with Clownfish Hyper-Melanization.) * Best chemical treatments for this disease are Praziquantel and...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Jay Hemdal]

I have this scopas tang in a 95 gallon tank and all the water parameters are spot on, the tang has black spots on its fin and it’s slowly creeping down to its body, it’s had these things on it since around November and I’ve tried treating with prazipro and that didn’t work and I tried melafix and Pimafix and that didn’t work either, the fish seems to be alright with it, he eats whenever I feed him and just seems normal but I’d like to find out what’s wrong before it spreads more. Thanks to everyone that reads this

That isn't tang turbellarian (black ich).

Does this fish always keep its fins folded, or does it extend them normally? Due to the chronic nature of this, and lack of other symptoms, I doubt that it is an infective disease process. I've seen some weird color changes in Scopas - not exactly like this, but maybe?

Jay

 

[insanelogic]

That isn't tang turbellarian (black ich).

Does this fish always keep its fins folded, or does it extend them normally? Due to the chronic nature of this, and lack of other symptoms, I doubt that it is an infective disease process. I've seen some weird color changes in Scopas - not exactly like this, but maybe?

Jay

Yeah he extends his fins normally, just not typically when eating algae, good to know that it’s probably not a disease, thanks!

 

[vetteguy53081]

Not Black ich - Agree
I wonder if any damage if it were extended ? Generally , entering a net into the tank will startle fish causing it to elevate the fin and you may be able to see any damage, hemorrage, etc

 

[insanelogic]

Can’t see very well but could be ‘black ich’ see links

Pictures of common fish diseases

Fish Disease Index - Pictorial Guide

Pictorial Guide to Marine Fish Diseases Use this guide to find a picture that most closely matches your fish's symptoms. Click the link, if available for more detailed information on the disease and how to treat it. Ich (Cryptocaryon Irritans)...

www.reef2reef.com



Black Ich (turbellarians)

Black Ich (turbellarians) What You Need To Know: * Parasitic flatworm infestation; tangs are most often afflicted. * Primary symptom is small black dots on the fish. (Not to be confused with Clownfish Hyper-Melanization.) * Best chemical treatments for this disease are Praziquantel and...

www.reef2reef.com

I thought it was at first but I tried treating with prazipro and it did not do anything so that got scratched off the list

 

[insanelogic]

Not Black ich - Agree
I wonder if any damage if it were extended ? Generally , entering a net into the tank will startle fish causing it to elevate the fin and you may be able to see any damage, hemorrage, etc

Ok I’ll try and get him to extend his fin, it looks like a lot of black spots on the front of his fin and that’s about it, everything else seems normal

 

[insanelogic]

Not Black ich - Agree
I wonder if any damage if it were extended ? Generally , entering a net into the tank will startle fish causing it to elevate the fin and you may be able to see any damage, hemorrage, etc

His fin does seem to be a little bit shorter than other scopas tangs but it’s always been like that so I don’t think it has anything to do with this but I could be wrong

 

[insanelogic]

Not Black ich - Agree
I wonder if any damage if it were extended ? Generally , entering a net into the tank will startle fish causing it to elevate the fin and you may be able to see any damage, hemorrage, etc

Not Black ich - Agree
I wonder if any damage if it were extended ? Generally , entering a net into the tank will startle fish causing it to elevate the fin and you may be able to see any damage, hemorrage, etc

Here’s one more too

 

[Jay Hemdal]

Ah, that is clearer to me now. Zebrasoma tangs show head and lateral line erosion differently than other tangs - in these fish, it starts by shortening of the dorsal and anal fin rays, and sometimes the caudal fin. I can’t say 100% that is what’s going on here, but I’m leaning in that direction now.
Jay

 

[vetteguy53081]

Better pic
I see HLLE, and possible bacterial/fin rot on the upper fin which points to diet and water quality. You say your parameters are good. Can you define good with the actual numbers ? What test kits are you using? If its API, there may be an issue already. Also you indicated it eats well. What foods are you feeding ?

 

[insanelogic]

Better pic
I see HLLE, and possible bacterial/fin rot on the upper fin which points to diet and water quality. You say your parameters are good. Can you define good with the actual numbers ? What test kits are you using? If its API, there may be an issue already. Also you indicated it eats well. What foods are you feeding ?

Yeah my test kit is api and I feed tetra marine pellets, mysis shrimp and dried green marine algae, obviously not all in one day and it also eats algae that grows in the tank

 

[vetteguy53081]

Yeah my test kit is api and I feed tetra marine pellets, mysis shrimp and dried green marine algae, obviously not all in one day

I would highly suggest getting a second opinion on water by taking a water sample to a trusted LFS that does NOT use API tests and see what readings they come up with and for comparison. API notorious for false test readings and have let down many reefers hence the LOW price for a master kit.
As for diet- Very inadequate. Feed at minimum:

Nori seaweed basted with garlic extract
spirulina brine shrimp
mysis shrimp
small plankton
LRS Herbivore diet
Formula 2 flake and frozen
Hikari veggie cuisine
Hikari marine cuisine

Add liquid selcon to the foods 2-3x weekly and garlic extract on alternating days

 

[insanelogic]

I would highly suggest getting a second opinion on water by taking a water sample to a trusted LFS that does NOT use API tests and see what readings they come up with and for comparison. API notorious for false test readings and have let down many reefers hence the LOW price for a master kit.
As for diet- Very inadequate. Feed at minimum:

Nori seaweed basted with garlic extract
spirulina brine shrimp
mysis shrimp
small plankton
LRS Herbivore diet
Formula 2 flake and frozen
Hikari veggie cuisine
Hikari marine cuisine

Add liquid selcon to the foods 2-3x weekly and garlic extract on alternating days

Wow everything I’ve seen has said mysis shrimp dried algae and that’s about it, so apparently I’m way behind on basically everything, thank you, I’ll get a new test kit and a lot more food

 

[insanelogic]

I would highly suggest getting a second opinion on water by taking a water sample to a trusted LFS that does NOT use API tests and see what readings they come up with and for comparison. API notorious for false test readings and have let down many reefers hence the LOW price for a master kit.
As for diet- Very inadequate. Feed at minimum:

Nori seaweed basted with garlic extract
spirulina brine shrimp
mysis shrimp
small plankton
LRS Herbivore diet
Formula 2 flake and frozen
Hikari veggie cuisine
Hikari marine cuisine

Add liquid selcon to the foods 2-3x weekly and garlic extract on alternating days

Also what test would you recommend? And would it be alright just to get a new test kit because it’ll probably be about the same price to have someone else test it as it would be just to get a new one

 

[vetteguy53081]

Also what test would you recommend? And would it be alright just to get a new test kit because it’ll probably be about the same price to have someone else test it as it would be just to get a new one

Hanna

 

[insanelogic]

Hanna

Ok thanks

 

[insanelogic]

I would highly suggest getting a second opinion on water by taking a water sample to a trusted LFS that does NOT use API tests and see what readings they come up with and for comparison. API notorious for false test readings and have let down many reefers hence the LOW price for a master kit.
As for diet- Very inadequate. Feed at minimum:

Nori seaweed basted with garlic extract
spirulina brine shrimp
mysis shrimp
small plankton
LRS Herbivore diet
Formula 2 flake and frozen
Hikari veggie cuisine
Hikari marine cuisine

Add liquid selcon to the foods 2-3x weekly and garlic extract on alternating days

I’ve just looked back in my photos from December and yes, his fin shrank, I feel like an idiot for not doing more research into its diet and the api test kits but I’ll get a better kit and hopefully get that Hanna kit and I’ll get all that food and also do more water changes until the kit comes. Thank you so much.