??? White spots on my purple tang, not ich. Any ideas???

[Teeran88]

He started to develop raised white spots (definitely larger than ich) a few days ago. I can't figure out what he's got to be able to treat him. He's currently in a qt tank. The only thing I could think at first was lymphocystis, but I've not seen it present this was before. Anyone have a clue what I'm looking at here?

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

@Humblefish

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

I'm thinking lymphocystis as well but I've never seen it first hand, I only know what to look for.

 

[DSmithZ28]

I hope it's not. Good luck with your Tang!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lymphocystis

 

[Humblefish]

First step is to perform a 5 min FW dip to see if any of those things dislodge: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/freshwater-dip.248898/

 

[Xclusive Reef]

That looks like flukes to me. As humblefish said above fresh water dip and see if they come out.

 

[Teeran88]

Definitely not flukes, I've dealt with those before.

 

[Humblefish]

Definitely not flukes, I've dealt with those before.

Agreed, but that doesn't rule out the possibility of some other type of worm.

 

[Xclusive Reef]

Agreed, but that doesn't rule out the possibility of some other type of worm.

It still looks like flukes to me but if its not flukes then what is it? they are all over the bottom of the tank as well

 

[Humblefish]

It still looks like flukes to me but if its not flukes then what is it? they are all over the bottom of the tank as well

Possibly a parasitic isopod or anchor worm. Anchor worms appear as red or inflamed skin irritations with little whitish-green worms sticking out. The tail of the worm makes a V. Often a fish will rub on rocks and sand in an attempt to dislodge the worm(s).

 

[Teeran88]

I got a few more photos, which is hard considering how much he likes to move around. The white spots are large, raised, and in some instances O shaped. Someone mentioned thinking they saw them on the bottom of the glass in a previous photo which is not the case. The white on the bottom of the tank is just bits of sand. Also, I haven't been able to do a fw dip yet, but I also think it's worth mentioning that he'd just come through a hypo treatment a couple weeks ago. And none of the other fish from the tank are exhibiting these spots (no new additions to the tank, and all go through qt).

 

[NeuroticAquatics]

Wow...I've never seen anything like that. Following along in hopes of learning a thing or two here.

 

[Quah]

Following as well.

 

[Humblefish]

@Teeran88 Has the fish ever been exposed to any medication or just hypo?

I'm anxious to see whether or not pure freshwater for 5 mins has any impact on those things. I'm guessing not, but we need to be sure it's not a worm before proceeding here.

 

[Teeran88]

@Teeran88 Has the fish ever been exposed to any medication or just hypo?

I'm anxious to see whether or not pure freshwater for 5 mins has any impact on those things. I'm guessing not, but we need to be sure it's not a worm before proceeding here.

Just prazipro a few years back I think. The hypo had been a bit of a prophylactic treatment before moving him from one of my tanks I had previously had ich in to a new ich free system. Just finished the 5min. fw dip. Yielded zero results as predicted... [emoji53] Now what?

 

[Teeran88]

@Teeran88 Has the fish ever been exposed to any medication or just hypo?

I'm anxious to see whether or not pure freshwater for 5 mins has any impact on those things. I'm guessing not, but we need to be sure it's not a worm before proceeding here.

I have the things to do a skin scraping and a microscope, plus the "Fish Disease: Diagnosis and Treatment" book you recommended. However, I don't know if I'd be able to do a scraping for about a week. My husband won't be back in town until then and I don't know if I'm brave enough to try to attempt it on my own. So I guess that's a last resort option if I can wait that long

 

[Humblefish]

Just prazipro a few years back I think. The hypo had been a bit of a prophylactic treatment before moving him from one of my tanks I had previously had ich in to a new ich free system. Just finished the 5min. fw dip. Yielded zero results as predicted... [emoji53] Now what?

So, we've seen something like this before (mainly on tangs) but it usually follows copper treatment. So my pet theory has always been that it was a "skin rash" from the copper. The other theory is it is a bacterial disease of some sort, because Kanaplex + Metroplex will oftentimes appear to clear it. However, that may just be coincidental because sometimes it also just clears on it's own.

 

[Humblefish]

I have the things to do a skin scraping and a microscope, plus the "Fish Disease: Diagnosis and Treatment" book you recommended. However, I don't know if I'd be able to do a scraping for about a week. My husband won't be back in town until then and I don't know if I'm brave enough to try to attempt it on my own. So I guess that's a last resort option if I can wait that long

A scrape would be ideal here. And if you can post the microscope pics I might be able to find a match for it. Or at least identify if it is bacterial, viral, parasitic, etc.

I'm trying to find a pic of a butterfly with similar looking growths.

 

[Humblefish]

@Teeran88 See below for comparison purposes. This specimen was "cured" by treating with Kanaplex + Metroplex, while the other Pyramids who were left untreated died.

 

[4FordFamily]

This is strange — we seem to be seeing this more frequently now?