Black spots on Tang

[JTN]

Hi all,

These black spots popped up on tang this morning. They were not there last night. He is still eating and acting normal.
Any thoughts on what I might be dealing with?
Thanks!

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hi all,

These black spots popped up on tang this morning. They were not there last night. He is still eating and acting normal.
Any thoughts on what I might be dealing with?
Thanks!

This is what is known as Blach ich and is not ich, the dreaded disease but are turbellarian worms and likely the Paravortex version which are smaller and appear as grains of black spots that give it the appearance of ich as melanin pigmentation which causes the appearance of black dots .
These worms have a single host life cycle producing several juveniles which can last up to 30 days but rarely do. Best is to treat with Praziquantel better known as prazi pro for two 8 day intervals with a water change on day nine.
Other option is formalin based medication such as quick cure or ruby Rally Pro starting with a bath for 45 minutes followed by treatment
Do note that Prazi will lower both oxygen and appetite, so an airstone is recommended for added aeration and monitor water quality during treatment with a reliable test kit

 

[JTN]

This is what is known as Blach ich and is not ich, the dreaded disease but are turbellarian worms and likely the Paravortex version which are smaller and appear as grains of black spots that give it the appearance of ich as melanin pigmentation which causes the appearance of black dots .
These worms have a single host life cycle producing several juveniles which can last up to 30 days but rarely do. Best is to treat with Praziquantel better known as prazi pro for two 8 day intervals with a water change on day nine.
Other option is formalin based medication such as quick cure or ruby Rally Pro starting with a bath for 45 minutes followed by treatment
Do note that Prazi will lower both oxygen and appetite, so an airstone is recommended for added aeration and monitor water quality during treatment with a reliable test kit

Thank you for the info!
Couple of follow up questions.
Is it contagious to other fish, inverts, or corals?
Thoughts on a quick fresh water dip?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Thank you for the info!
Couple of follow up questions.
Is it contagious to other fish, inverts, or corals?
Thoughts on a quick fresh water dip?

Yes you can if fish is not breathing fast and often not contagious and PraziPro will protect other fish. Dose at 85% of recommended to assure no overdose

 

[JTN]

Yes you can if fish is not breathing fast and often not contagious and PraziPro will protect other fish. Dose at 85% of recommended to assure no overdose

Can I dose ProziPro in my DT with other inverts and corals?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Can I dose ProziPro in my DT with other inverts and corals?

Yes

 

[JTN]

Yes

Thanks again for all of the great info, I really appreciate it.
Last question, I won't be able to get prozipro until tomorrow. Is it better to attempt a FW dip now, and dose the prozipro tomorrow as well or skip the FW dip and wait to dose prozi tomorrow when it arrives ?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Thanks again for all of the great info, I really appreciate it.
Last question, I won't be able to get prozipro until tomorrow. Is it better to attempt a FW dip now, and dose the prozipro tomorrow as well or skip the FW dip and wait to dose prozi tomorrow when it arrives ?

You can dip or wait. If fish is eating and acting normal, it can wait
If irritated, dip will offer temporary relief

 

[MnFish1]

Thanks again for all of the great info, I really appreciate it.
Last question, I won't be able to get prozipro until tomorrow. Is it better to attempt a FW dip now, and dose the prozipro tomorrow as well or skip the FW dip and wait to dose prozi tomorrow when it arrives ?

I would wait - if the fish is normally behaving. Make sure you dose it correctly - taking into account your rock, etc - sump volume, etc. the usual estimate is to dose for 85% of the volume of the tank/sump.

 

[MnFish1]

@vetteguy53081 why are you reacting 'sad' - you said they could either wait or dip. My preference is not to do dips unless absolutely necessary - which is why I answered the way I did - with the disclaimer - if the fish is normally behaving.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Hi all,

These black spots popped up on tang this morning. They were not there last night. He is still eating and acting normal.
Any thoughts on what I might be dealing with?
Thanks!

While the presumptive diagnosis when you hear “black spots on a tang”, is turbellarian worms (black ich) these spots look larger and more diffuse than turbellarians cause.
Flukes are another possibility.

How long have you had this tang?
Any recent additions to the tank?

Are you comfortable giving the tang a 5 minute freshwater dip?

 

[JTN]

While the presumptive diagnosis when you hear “black spots on a tang”, is turbellarian worms (black ich) these spots look larger and more diffuse than turbellarians cause.
Flukes are another possibility.

How long have you had this tang?
Any recent additions to the tank?

Are you comfortable giving the tang a 5 minute freshwater dip?

Hey Jay,
I have had him for a few years.
Yes, quite a few additions recently, Convict Tang, Foxface, Dusky Wrasse, Starry Blenny. All of which are healthy and not showing any signs or symptoms.

I also have always ran a UV.
I am comfortable doing a FW dip, however I haven't been able to catch him, and I am nervous to stress him out anymore than necessary....

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Hey Jay,
I have had him for a few years.
Yes, quite a few additions recently, Convict Tang, Foxface, Dusky Wrasse, Starry Blenny. All of which are healthy and not showing any signs or symptoms.

I also have always ran a UV.
I am comfortable doing a FW dip, however I haven't been able to catch him, and I am nervous to stress him out anymore than necessary....

Yes - you don't want to beat him to pieces trying to catch it.

UV won't help with flukes or turbellarians, they are too large to be killed by UV light (even their larval stages).

One possible course of action would be to treat the tank with praziquantel. It is mostly reef safe. It won't cure turbellarians, but it will control flukes if you dose it twice, 8 days apart. If the prazi doesn't at least give the fish temporary relief, then you can rule flukes out, and figure this is turbellarians. Then FW dips will need to be done (dipping and moving the fish to a new tank is best, but often impractical).

 

[JTN]

@Jay Hemdal
@vetteguy53081
In your experiences does flukes or turbellarians cause fish itching?

 

[vetteguy53081]

@Jay Hemdal
@vetteguy53081
In your experiences does flukes or turbellarians cause fish itching?

Can be slight but overall fish functions normal. If infestation, yes and it takes Prazi as much as 2 days to start taking effect

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

@Jay Hemdal
@vetteguy53081
In your experiences does flukes or turbellarians cause fish itching?

IMO, Flukes, especially gill flukes cause scratching/flashing more often than turbellarians do.