Do these look like flukes on my blue line goby?

[fogpineapple]

He has been rubbing against rocks the past few days, do they look like flukes?

 

[eecummins]

it does, but are the spots motile

 

[vetteguy53081]

He has been rubbing against rocks the past few days, do they look like flukes?

While possible as flukes are flatworms, its often that you can see them with the naked eye. Some symptoms if flukes will be rapid breathing, itching/scratching. darting across tank, loss of appetite as examples. Often if fish breathing normal, you can give it a 5 minutes freshwater dip and see if the spots you see fall off which will look like fish scales - then would confirm flukes

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

He has been rubbing against rocks the past few days, do they look like flukes?

Flukes are difficult to see with the naked eye, but skin damage from the scratching they cause is more visible.

What other fish are in with it?
Any of those also scratching?

You can treat with praziquantel, that is reef safe.

 

[fogpineapple]

Thanks for your replies everyone

it does, but are the spots motile

Checking today, the spots have not moved at all since yesterday

While possible as flukes are flatworms, its often that you can see them with the naked eye. Some symptoms if flukes will be rapid breathing, itching/scratching. darting across tank, loss of appetite as examples. Often if fish breathing normal, you can give it a 5 minutes freshwater dip and see if the spots you see fall off which will look like fish scales - then would confirm flukes

Good idea, I have been trying to catch this fish for a fw dip, but it seems I will need to either remove all the rocks or purchase a trap to do this

Flukes are difficult to see with the naked eye, but skin damage from the scratching they cause is more visible.

What other fish are in with it?
Any of those also scratching?

You can treat with praziquantel, that is reef safe.

Upon looking closer, it does seem like the spots may be areas where the blue scales were scraped off. I'm trying to catch this fish but I will order prazipro in the meantime.

He lives with a yellow clown goby, green clown goby, and firefish goby, none of them have been seen scratching thus far