Help, Whitetail Tang Has Something Attached to Fin

[Dolelo96]

Woke up yesterday and noticed something on his fin....
The video makes it look like it’s light brown, but in the tank it seems to be the same color as the fish.

Tank has been up since June 2017. Velvet killed all my original fish Sept 2018. In April, I moved all corals to tank I purchased for future quarantines and replaced all LR with Caribe Sea Life Rock, cleaned all pumps, skimmer and removed 3/4 sand, cleaned remaining sand and added Microbe-Lift Nite Out II. Also, added Microbe-Lift Special Blend after each water change (was still feeding corals). Tank had been fallow until a month ago, when I added 2 Picasso clowns and 1 Sleeper Gold Head Goby. Added a Melanarus Wrasse, Flame Hawkfish, Barnacle Benny and a Whitetail Bristletooth Tang 2 weeks ago. LFS quarantined fish for me. When I brought them home, I also used BlueLife USA Safety Stop Quarantine and observed for 2 weeks. Other than fish, nothing else has been added to tank.

He’s eating and behaving normally. Other than that one spot, they are all clean, bright and behaving normally. I’m really hoping this is nothing. I don’t think I’ll survive this again..

Forgot to add that I also added a Pentair 25 watt UV sterilizer

 

[Big G]

Is the spot raised a bit and cottony or cauliflower like?

 

[Dolelo96]

Raised a bit. Still looks the same today. Can’t see any damage. All fins look fine.

 

[Dolelo96]

Is there anyone that has an idea of what this could be?

 

[Dolelo96]

This video is a bit better than the first

 

[Mjrenz]

@Big G is wondering if it's lymphocystis but I remember reading that @HotRocks said he's never seen it happen in a dt and only in qt with copper when the immune system is suppressed. Any other opinions from @ngoodermuth or @4FordFamily?

 

[Dolelo96]

Isn’t Lymphocytes a virus, with no real treatment? Are my other fish at risk of getting it too? I feed 3x per day, mysis, reef frenzy, and flake or pellet, all soaked in Selcon. Trying to keep them healthy and boost there immune system. Anything else I should do?

 

[Mjrenz]

If it is lymphocystis the only treatment is a healthy immune system and what you're doing is all that really can be done. Here's some info about it, does it look like what's in the pics?
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/lymphocystis.257461/
From the info I've read on here it is contagious but seldom affects healthy fish

 

[ngoodermuth]

I don't think it's lympho... he's not scratching or head shaking/yawning, etc? If you can catch him, a 5-minute freshwater dip to see it it will dislodge, may be helpful. My best guess would be either physical damage, or something like a fluke or trematode.

When you say the LFS QT's them for you, do you know if they do any type of preventative treatments, or for how long they are QT'd and how?

 

[Dolelo96]

Is it normal that it hasn’t moved? I’ll try to catch him. He’s still skittish when I get close to the tank and hides in the rocks. Yesterday was the first day he let me get close to the tank without hiding. It was entertaining to watch me trying to get the video without him seeing me. I wish someone would come up with a way to catch them that wouldn’t stress the poor fish out.

LFS is also a friend. My health is iffy sometimes, so he helps me out when I need it. I believe copper for 2 weeks, since I was going to use the Safety Stop and then observe for 2 more). I don’t know what he does with the fish he buys (he gets them from Quality Marine) but I’ve been buying my fish from him since 2015 and have never had any loss due to illness or disease. I know there is a first time for everything.
Having my tank wiped out by Velvet was my fault, by breaking my own rules on who/where to buy my corals from.

 

[Dolelo96]

Sorry for such a late response. My step-dad fell and fractured a hip, so there’s been a lot of stress. He’s gone from hospital, to rehab facility, and in another week he’ll be transferred to an assisted living facility. To add insult to injury, my MS flared, so I’ve been down for a week[emoji30]

I have not been able to catch him yet and he’s really freaked out now. Physically, I’m not able to tear the tank apart. Do you think I should ask the LFS to come and try? Whatever it is hasn’t changed at all. It’s still the same size and in the same place. He’s eating and behaving normally, other than hiding from the big bad person that keeps trying to catch him

 

[Mjrenz]

I hope things get better for you! Any advice @ngoodermuth?

 

[ngoodermuth]

I would ask your friend/LFS if they use praziquantel during QT process against flukes. If not, you could try treating with prazipro and see if that does anything to it.

However, I’m not 100% convinced it’s flukes- so it might not help... and even though Prazi is *mostly* reef safe, treating in-tank is never without risk.

If everyone is eating and otherwise healthy there may be a risk vs. reward aspect to consider. No other symptoms whatsoever?

 

[Dolelo96]

None at all. He eats and swims around all day, no heavy breathing, and the time he hides is if someone walks up to the tank. The other fish are all fine. I’ve been taking pics daily, to keep track of any change. I think I’m going to just watch closely. I don’t want to stress him even more. I’m still mixing Selcon with food..mysis, LRF or flake. Also, since my Tang won’t eat nori, Im using Sera Marin Spirulina Veggie tabs. They stick to the side of the tank, and he just picks away. Is there any other supplements I should be adding?

 

[Dolelo96]

@ngoodermuth PLEASE HELP!!!! Tang was fine this morning and now he literally looks like he’s turning white..

I’m getting water ready to do a water change. My skimmer isn’t working right this afternoon either.
All fish are fine except for him

 

[ngoodermuth]

Was it soon after lights-on? Is that growth still the same size, shape, location?

Loss of color can indicate stress, or sleep coloration. Sometimes can be beginning stages of velvet, but if he was QT'd in copper shouldn't be that. Any other new additions lately? CUC, corals, etc? Do you QT those?

Were you able to do a FW dip yet to check for flukes?

 

[Dolelo96]

Sorry for my extremely late response. Had to head south to help take care of dad. He fractured a hip. He’s finally home and doing well!
My tang is doing great. Still has that spot, same size and place. Wanted to thank you for your help. Hope all is well with everyone!