White specks on Valentini Puffer fins

[tadrielobrien]

Yesterday I picked up a Valentini Pufferfish for my new Biocube. The tank was cycled with live rock and sand, and I added the puffer, a margarita snail, 2 Nasarrius snails, and a Trochus snail yesterday. After adding it to the tank, I noticed that my puffer had some tiny white dots on its dorsal and caudal fins. Are these normal color variation, or is it some kind of parasite? My boyfriend keeps freshwater aquariums, and he noted that it reminds him a bit of Ich. If it is some kind of marine parasite, what treatment options would you recommend before I add anything else to the tank?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Yesterday I picked up a Valentini Pufferfish for my new Biocube. The tank was cycled with live rock and sand, and I added the puffer, a margarita snail, 2 Nasarrius snails, and a Trochus snail yesterday. After adding it to the tank, I noticed that my puffer had some tiny white dots on its dorsal and caudal fins. Are these normal color variation, or is it some kind of parasite? My boyfriend keeps freshwater aquariums, and he noted that it reminds him a bit of Ich. If it is some kind of marine parasite, what treatment options would you recommend before I add anything else to the tank?

Looks like lymphocystis and often associated with poor water quality and/or diet
Assure ammonia- nitrate-salinity-ph are not elevated

 

[tadrielobrien]

Looks like lymphocystis and often associated with poor water quality and/or diet
Assure ammonia- nitrate-salinity-ph are not elevated

My nitrates are on the high side at 40 ppm- i'm planning on doing another 20-25% water change tomorrow. Didn't want to stress it out too much with a water change in the first 24 hours. With only the fish and snails in there right now, is 20 ppm of nitrates ok, or should I aim for closer to 10? Thank you for your response!

 

[vetteguy53081]

My nitrates are on the high side at 40 ppm- i'm planning on doing another 20-25% water change tomorrow. Didn't want to stress it out too much with a water change in the first 24 hours. With only the fish and snails in there right now, is 20 ppm of nitrates ok, or should I aim for closer to 10? Thank you for your response!

Yep, water quality and a viable cause

 

[tadrielobrien]

A little update: The initial spots on her fins faded away after about 2 weeks and have not returned. However, these two large cysts have increased in size since that time. Her appetite is normal (eating anything and everything), and she is still very active and social (helpful for pictures haha). Are these cysts simply a more severe lymphocystis that will go away with time? Parameters have been stable with Ammonia at 0, Nitrites at 0, and Nitrates between 10 and 20.

The cysts really aren't bothering her, but I want to make sure there isn't any treatments I should be doing.

 

[tadrielobrien]

Yep, water quality and a viable cause

Could you take a look at the photos below and let me know if any treatments should be done? The cysts/tumors have grown significantly in the last month. I have read in some places to try piercing it with a hypodermic needle, but i'm apprehensive about doing that.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Could you take a look at the photos below and let me know if any treatments should be done? The cysts/tumors have grown significantly in the last month. I have read in some places to try piercing it with a hypodermic needle, but i'm apprehensive about doing that.

Thanks for pics. Im focusing on fins and now realize the face has what appears to be tuberculosis type bumps. These will grow if left untreated.
Treatment will be seachem kanaplex or neoplex in a seoerate tank. My preference is kanaplex

 

[tadrielobrien]

Thanks for pics. Im focusing on fins and now realize the face has what appears to be tuberculosis type bumps. These will grow if left untreated.
Treatment will be seachem kanaplex or neoplex in a seoerate tank. My preference is kanaplex

Last week I completed my 3rd round of Kanaplex treatment, and while the bumps appear less red the smaller of the two is now bigger. Do you think I should just do more doses of Kanaplex, or do I have to let nature take its course at this point?
Thank you for all of your help!

 

[vetteguy53081]

Last week I completed my 3rd round of Kanaplex treatment, and while the bumps appear less red the smaller of the two is now bigger. Do you think I should just do more doses of Kanaplex, or do I have to let nature take its course at this point?
Thank you for all of your help!

Do one more treatment.
Monitor ammonia level and change water if needed. Temperture at 80 degrees.