Blue Tang Sick? Or just over analyzing?

[CleanRiversDirtRoads]

Hey everyone. Recently stocked my tank with the first 6 fish and the blue tang has two small spots on it I’ve noticed. Does this look like ich or anything I should be worried about? The fish eats great and acts normal (no scratching or rubbing) only odd thing is at night it tucks into a small crack in the rock and sleeps for a while after lights out and then comes back out and swims again after a little while. None of the other fish have any spots on them.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Ich is not confined to two dots. Possible viral dots but before reacting. How is fish breathing (normal or labored) and eating?
Check in the morning and tomorrow evening and see if same two marks or if more have appeared and post new pic’s if more dots

 

[glency]

Isn’t that it’s scalpel?

 

[CleanRiversDirtRoads]

Ich is not confined to two dots. Possible viral dots but before reacting. How is fish breathing (normal or labored) and eating?
Check in the morning and tomorrow evening and see if same two marks or if more have appeared and post new pic’s if more dots

Thanks for the quick response! I noticed the dots the day after I got him about a week ago and they have not spread. Fish eats A TON at every feeding (seaweed attached to a rock, mysis every other day, and pellets daily) and has normal breathing. Just not super brave yet, but I’ve read that they tend to be that way at the beginning.

 

[CleanRiversDirtRoads]

Isn’t that it’s scalpel?

Not sure what that is, but I’ll look into it! This is my first saltwater setup ever, so definitely learning as I go. Quickly!

 

[vetteguy53081]

Thanks for the quick response! I noticed the dots the day after I got him about a week ago and they have not spread. Fish eats A TON at every feeding (seaweed attached to a rock, mysis every other day, and pellets daily) and has normal breathing. Just not super brave yet, but I’ve read that they tend to be that way at the beginning.

May Be lymphocystis which with good water quality and diet will allow it to fall off the fish by itself

 

[CleanRiversDirtRoads]

May Be lymphocystis which with good water quality and diet will allow it to fall off the fish by itself

Ok, thank you! Parameters are all solid. I’ll keep watching it over the next few days and see if anything changes. Thanks for your help!

 

[mehaffydr]

The one to the back is the scalpel, pick is too blue can't see what you have circled in the front. It is very normal for them to hide at night as they don't want to get eaten.

 

[CleanRiversDirtRoads]

The one to the back is the scalpel, pick is too blue can't see what you have circled in the front. It is very normal for them to hide at night as they don't want to get eaten.

Thank you! I’ll see if I can get a better pic. Unfortunately, I don’t have a filter for my camera lens. Ill play around with it and see what I can do.

 

[CleanRiversDirtRoads]

There is a spot on the right side of dorsal fin, behind the left eye (pictured) and base of the tail where the yellow starts (pictured).

 

[LAReefer4Life]

White lighting is way better to help diagnose.

 

[CleanRiversDirtRoads]

White lighting is way better to help diagnose.

I turned my whites way up, but couldn’t figure out how to turn the blues off on the new setup til now. I’ll post more pics tomorrow. Thank you everyone!

 

[damsels are not mean]

Don't think it's any disease. Maybe a blemish under the eye (like a little scratch or something, should heal on its own if so). The spot by the tail probably just the scalpel. All tangs have them and that's why they are also sometimes called "surgeonfish". They use it for defense but not usually on aquarists. Generally a last resort sort of thing for them.

 

[MnFish1]

Welcome to R2R!! - I apologize - it is also difficult to see for me. BUT - if I significantly magnify the photo - I see what you mean (the bump near the eye) - The area in the back - does look like the so called 'scalpel' but IMHO - doesn't look totally normal - but again that was when really magnified - and may have been injured when moving, etc. (the 'scalpel' is actually a modified scale').

In any case - I agree with the others - It does not look like cryptocaryon (ich) - it could be a scar from an old injury - it could be lymphocystis - which is self-limiting - most of the time - it could be another external parasite (better close up pictures - if possible). I would not be overly concerned however. Its a great fish! Watch carefully for any other symptoms, etc