Athias Infected?

KBlue · Nov 3, 2023

I just got this guy and has been in quarantine for 5 days. About 3 days ago I noticed the tail had these white “things” on it. Any thoughts of what they could be? And how I can get rid of them? The pic shows them pretty well. First time I’ve been able to see them up close and they look like some sort of critter attached. Thanks for any help!

PeterEde · Nov 3, 2023

Sand bottom?

MnFish1 · Nov 3, 2023

It looks like lymphocystis - a viral infection that commonly can occur with stress. It resolves on its own - I'm presuming there are no other symptoms

MnFish1 · Nov 3, 2023

PeterEde said:
Sand bottom?

It is a glass bottom - in the pictures - however there could be sand somewhere else

Jay Hemdal · Nov 3, 2023

KBlue said:
I just got this guy and has been in quarantine for 5 days. About 3 days ago I noticed the tail had these white “things” on it. Any thoughts of what they could be? And how I can get rid of them? The pic shows them pretty well. First time I’ve been able to see them up close and they look like some sort of critter attached. Thanks for any help!

Well, I’m stumped. In my old lab, I’d do a skin scrape/biopsy and look at it under a microscope. I understand you likely can’t do that.

The best guess I get get for you is these are copepod eggs, with the actual copepod under the skin. I’ve seen those on fire fish, but not anthias.

Jay