White fluffy stuff on filefish

[Lauje]

Can somebody help me identify what this is on my file fish and how to treat? He is eating and acting normal. Any help is much appreciated.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Please turn the blue lights off to take pictures, leave only white lights, your pictures are too blue to see clearly

 

[Lauje]

Please turn the blue lights off to take pictures, leave only white lights, your pictures are too blue to see clearly

Good point

 

[vetteguy53081]

Can somebody help me identify what this is on my file fish and how to treat? He is eating and acting normal. Any help is much appreciated.

Please provide video under white light intensity only and of at least 25 seconds for best assessment

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Can somebody help me identify what this is on my file fish and how to treat? He is eating and acting normal. Any help is much appreciated.

When you get us photos/video under white light, can you give us more background info:
How long have you had the fish?
How long has it had these growths?
What other fish are in with it?

 

[Lauje]

Can somebody help me identify what this is on my file fish and how to treat? He is eating and acting normal. Any help is much appreciated.

I’ve had him about six months. The tanks while established over two years old. He shares the tank with a mimic tang, Melanurus wrasse, clowns, damsels, Benny and goby. He has had these white things for about a month.

 

[Lauje]

Here is a video and a picture under whites.

 

[Lauje]

Please turn the blue lights off to take pictures, leave only white lights, your pictures are too blue to see clearly

Done

 

[Lauje]

Can somebody help me identify what this is on my file fish and how to treat? He is eating and acting normal. Any help is much appreciated.

Please provide video under white light intensity only and of at least 25 seconds for best assessment

Done

 

[Lauje]

Can somebody help me identify what this is on my file fish and how to treat? He is eating and acting normal. Any help is much appreciated.

Please provide video under white light intensity only and of at least 25 seconds for best assessment

Done

 

[vetteguy53081]

Here is a video and a picture under whites.

There is still a lot of blue
Please turn off blues and use bright white intensity only

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Here is a video and a picture under whites.

Tough to see clearly, but this could be a viral disease known as Lymphocystis. If it is that, it will go away on its own with no treatment. Are they still getting worse after a month? Lymphocystis usually starts to get better at around 4 to 6 weeks.

 

[Lauje]

Here is a video and a picture under whites.

Tough to see clearly, but this could be a viral disease known as Lymphocystis. If it is that, it will go away on its own with no treatment. Are they still getting worse after a month? Lymphocystis usually starts to get better at around 4 to 6 weeks.

It’s right at four weeks and was slowly getting worse, but it seems to be slowing down a little bit and kind of staying the same. Maybe I just need to give it another week or two.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

It’s right at four weeks and was slowly getting worse, but it seems to be slowing down a little bit and kind of staying the same. Maybe I just need to give it another week or two.

Staying the same is the key - the fish needs to fight off the virus. The first step is to develop antibodies to stop the virus, but then it takes some time for the lesions to resolve. What this virus does is infect the cells and cause them to grow to a gigantic size. Once the virus is stopped, it still takes time for the giant skin cells to die off and be replaced by new, normal cells.

 

[Lauje]

It’s right at four weeks and was slowly getting worse, but it seems to be slowing down a little bit and kind of staying the same. Maybe I just need to give it another week or two.

Staying the same is the key - the fish needs to fight off the virus. The first step is to develop antibodies to stop the virus, but then it takes some time for the lesions to resolve. What this virus does is infection cells and cause them to grow to a gigantic size. Once the virus is stopped, it still takes time for the giant skin cells to die off and be replaced by new, normal cells.

Very helpful thank you very much!