Clown Parasite?

[Tennsion]

Perhaps encountering first unexplained problem. 75g mixed reef, 2 months old. Pair of clowns in tank for past 5 weeks (tank was fully cycled before adding them). Not sure of a couple of things. Firstly, the white string on the small clown...poop or parasite? He looks thin and did not eat real well tonight. And secondly, something seems to be precipitating out in the tank, particles. Alk is 8.3 and calcium is 400. Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate 20ish. Any suggestions? Especially concerning the clown. Thanks.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Percula has one or two white dots on its body and the stringy poop suggests internal parasite. Before assuming internal issues, are you by chance feeding it brine shrimp, mysis shrimp or both ?
Also, a little concerning is newer tank with first fish and No ammonia or nitrate which tells me you are using API test kits ?
If so, API is notorious for false reading often showing zero readings for the reef owner to discover it was much higher all along. For this, I would take a water sample to a trusted LFS that does Not use API kits for testing and have them test and verify your readings.
For the white poop, if internal, you will need to get some Prazi (PraziPro) which is effective in cleaning this up.

 

[Tennsion]

Percula has one or two white dots on its body and the stringy poop suggests internal parasite. Before assuming internal issues, are you by chance feeding it brine shrimp, mysis shrimp or both ?
Also, a little concerning is newer tank with first fish and No ammonia or nitrate which tells me you are using API test kits ?
If so, API is notorious for false reading often showing zero readings for the reef owner to discover it was much higher all along. For this, I would take a water sample to a trusted LFS that does Not use API kits for testing and have them test and verify your readings.
For the white poop, if internal, you will need to get some Prazi (PraziPro) which is effective in cleaning this up.

The white dots are no longer on the clown. So I'm not sure if it's ich related or something from the precipitating water column. No other white spots have appeared but I will continue to monitor. I had my water tested by my lfs 3 days ago by machine. I tested today and got same results and I use Salifert test kits.

I cycled my tank with Fritz 900 and Dr. Tim's ammonium and it was fully cycled and had been stable for several days before I added those two clowns together.

Is the Prazipro harmful to corals? Can I use it in my DT or should I quarantine the one fish. And yes, I do frequently feed frozen brine and mysis so as to not kill my water parameters with pellets. Also my diamond goby accepts the frozen food like a champ. Is this something I should change? Thank you for your help.

 

[vetteguy53081]

The white dots are no longer on the clown. So I'm not sure if it's ich related or something from the precipitating water column. No other white spots have appeared but I will continue to monitor. I had my water tested by my lfs 3 days ago by machine. I tested today and got same results and I use Salifert test kits.

I cycled my tank with Fritz 900 and Dr. Tim's ammonium and it was fully cycled and had been stable for several days before I added those two clowns together.

Is the Prazipro harmful to corals? Can I use it in my DT or should I quarantine the one fish. And yes, I do frequently feed frozen brine and mysis so as to not kill my water parameters with pellets. Also my diamond goby accepts the frozen food like a champ. Is this something I should change? Thank you for your help.

Ok good. the white dots could have even been sand (not uncommon to stick to a fish) and the foods give a false appearance of internal issues. Maintain water quality and for clowns, other foods would be:
LRS Fish frenzy
mysis flakes
small plankton
rotifiers