White spots on clown? (Video)

[Beej1254]

I couldn't get a good enough picture so I took a video instead. I'm just now noticing these tiny white spots on my clownfish. Only strange behavior that I've noticed lately was this clownfish swimming erratically for a few minutes. And that was about 2 weeks ago.

I'm hoping this won't end up being something serious. I'm leaving a small vacation tomorrow afternoon. Perfect timing for something to go wrong :(

Thank you to anyone who may be able to help

 

[ndz98]

It could possibly be velvet. I would get him in to qt asap and treat him with meds as a precaution. Who is taking care of the fish while you are gone? Maybe they could help while he is in qt.

 

[Beej1254]

Some decent pictures. Notice the white bumps on the top portion of the fish. Both near the head and middle back

 

[ndz98]

Some decent pictures. Notice the white bumps on the top portion of the fish. Both near the head and middle back

Yea I can definitely see it much better now. It looks like velvet or ich.

 

[Humblefish]

How long have you had this clownfish? I think I see some odd discolorations on the fish, but no white dots.

Edit: I see it now in the photo. Looks like ich. But also what about those black circles on the fish? How long have they been there?

 

[Beej1254]

I've had this fish for a year now if not then very close to it

 

[Beej1254]

Not sure about the black spots either. They have just started showing up. I really haven't noticed anything strange lately. And I watch my tank a lot everyday. I only noticed these white spots because my face was up against the glass basically looking at my new corals.

 

[Humblefish]

I've had this fish for a year now if not then very close to it

If you're going on vacation, then IMO the only option is to deal with this when you get back. You don't want to put fish in a small uncycled QT or start dosing medications without constant monitoring.

The black dots could be what's called black ich (turbellarian worms). A FW dip would be a temporary measure for dealing with those.

See here for more info: http://www.seascapestudio.net/reference/disease.php?id=turbellarian_infestation

 

[Beej1254]

Also want to say the clownfishs behavior has seemed normal besides that one day for those couple minutes. Even now it seems normal and just ate like crazy. It's our swimming around with the others.

Only wanted to throw that out. Standing away from the tank it looks like a normal healthy happy fish.


Setting up QT now

 

[Beej1254]

Ok I'll set up the QT and hopefully whatever is going on won't progress to rapidly while I'm away. As soon as I get back I'll put the fish in

 

[Beej1254]

Thanks a bunch for the help with this.

This will be the first time dealing with any sort of disease in my tank. I'd be lying if I said I knew how to combat ick or velvet. L I know there are threads explaining how the process goes so I'll read them. But I thought they were brought on my stress and or poor water quality? I keep a strict maintenance and feeding schedule and watch my parameters basically every other day? How does this happen?

As for the terbellaian worms? Where could those have come from?

Again thanks for everyone's help

 

[ndz98]

How long have you had this clownfish? I think I see some odd discolorations on the fish, but no white dots.

Edit: I see it now in the photo. Looks like ich. But also what about those black circles on the fish? How long have they been there?

I had the same black circles on my clown but nothing happened to the fish. I think it was just the clown turning black because he is almost now an entirely different color.

 

[michellejy]

I thought the black spots were from being stung by a coral, but I am not the disease expert so...

 

[Humblefish]

The black circles could be any number of things: black ich, discoloration, coral sting, infection, etc. But if they just showed up recently I would probably give a FW dip to see if they drop off (which would confirm turbellarian worms.)

 

[Beej1254]

Ok. Finally got the clown into a 3 min FW dip. I wanted to wait until lights out so she'd be easier to catch. And I was right as it only took about 5 minutes to net her. I don't know if it's good news or bad but all of those black spots came off. How could I have gotten turbellarian worms?? Didn't notice any other fish with signs of anything. But I have a smaller black clown which I'm considering dipping just because there's no way I could tell if it has these worms too unless they fall off

Edit: actually I was wrong. Not all of the black spots are gone. Actually the fish still has quite a few. The FW dip seemed to be really getting to the fish. I temp checked and treated with water conditioner. Any other tips on doing a FW dip? How long should I have left the fish in?

 

[melypr1985]

5 full minutes would be better, but the three was good enough to confirm black ich. You can use Prazipro to treat the display if you can't get all the fish out for the treatment in a QT. Dose the prazi twice 5-7 days apart with a water change in between. That will take care of the black ich.

 

[Humblefish]

5 full minutes would be better, but the three was good enough to confirm black ich. You can use Prazipro to treat the display if you can't get all the fish out for the treatment in a QT. Dose the prazi twice 5-7 days apart with a water change in between. That will take care of the black ich.

^^This. If even some of the spots disappeared following the FW dip, this confirms those turbellarians dropped off due to osmotic shock. Black ich can come into a DT from an infected fish or even eggs on something like a new coral frag.

You've got a serious problem on your hands - having both turbellarians and Cryptocaryon (ich) in your DT. One or the other would be manageable, but your fish having to deal with both simultaneously is a double whammy on your fishes' immune systems.

 

[Beej1254]

Great. And literally leaving for vacation in less then 12 hrs. AND no one I could trust to really handle this while I'm gone. I have someone watching the tank but really only to feed the fish once a day and to make sure something doesn't break and flood the place.

So prazipro can be used in the DT with my corals, snails, fish, and cleaner shrimp? I have gotten a lot of new frags within the past month or so. I feel good about most sources but one locally. I know it's common to hear the excuse that "I watch my tank all the time" and all that. But I really do sense I've been out of work sense October. It's beside the point I guess...just feel a little disappointed and nervous at this point.

Any ideas where I can get prazipro? If I can manage to get it tomorrow before I leave I could try and dose it. Again tho. I won't be here to watch the tank. And neither will someone with capable hands for that level of care. Which is probably more dangerous...

Are there any small changes I can make? Like higher temp? Or anything?


Thanks again everyone.

 

[melypr1985]

prazipro can be found at most LFS's that cary/ specialize in saltwater. It should be safe enough to use in your DT with some caution. It may effect feather dusters and it caused my Monti's to fade for a while but they all made a solid come back. I certainly wouldn't advise dosing it before leaving on vacation. The best thing to do is manage the situation until you return. This means, vitamins in the food, high quality food on top of that and a stress free environment. If you need to make any changes to be sure nothing malfunctions while your gone, or that your tank-sitter knows exactly what to do in response to a malfunction, then do that. But dont make any real changes to your tank before leaving.

 

[Beej1254]

Thanks for the advice. I really appreciate the information and your time. I'm so stressed about this situation now and just hope it'll all be ok until I can get back home. I'll only be gone 5 days so hopefully things will be ok.

I have an empty 55 gal tank I could turn into a QT. I know that the DT has to be empty of all fish for some time in order to be fully rid of ich. Problem is I wonder if the fish will be stressed (or further stressed) all in a tank half the size. Especially with little to no hiding places. If I'm going to rid my fish of these problems I want to do it the best I can. Catching them will be a huge pain.

I'm really worried about the corals in my tank as well. Like anyone else I spent a lot of money on them. If things go south and I lose them my fiancé will call it game over.

Like I said before I've never dealt with any of this before. I'm gonna be doing a lot of reading when I get the chance. But I'd really be grateful of any tips you all could give me. Thanks.