How far does Ich protrude from the surface of a fish?

[Karliah]

As in the title: How far does Ich protrude from the surface of a fish? And do the white spots fall off readily?

This morning one of my clown fish had 2 white spots on it. One above left eye, and one just below dorsal fin on right side. I netted him out to a specimen cup for a better look. The one above the eye was hard to see but the one near the fin “flows” with his movements. It moves back and forth when he moves side to side or changes directions.
I left him alone for about five minutes and when I came back the one over the eye was no longer there. Just the one by the fin remains.
He’s only been in the DT since wednesday. And I do have what I think are cirolanid isopods. I don’t know what their bites look like, and I have not noticed them on any fish so far (day or night). But I have pulled probably 15 or so out in a range of sizes.
Unfortunately, I have not been able to get a usable picture. It does not appear to be a worm or bug/isopod shaped. It extends maybe 1mm from the skin, but is thin/narrow enough to flop around in the “current” generated by the fish. Not at all like a mound or zit.
So I guess: just trying to understand the texture/physical properties of ich to maybe rule it out (or not), vs getting a diagnosis since I don’t have a way to show you.
I will continue to try to get pictures, but that seems unlikely.

 

[threebuoys]

What you describe does not sound like ich. Did you QT before adding him to the DT? With only 2 spots and 1 of those disappearing, I wouldn't worry, but I always observe (and I always QT using R2R protocols) new fish.

 

[Karliah]

What you describe does not sound like ich. Did you QT before adding him to the DT? With only 2 spots and 1 of those disappearing, I wouldn't worry, but I always observe (and I always QT using R2R protocols) new fish.

Yes I did and that’s part of my confusion: why now? Of course I realize moving to a new environment is stressful, or thought perhaps it could be the cirolanids, but assumed those would have been red or dark spots.

 

[vetteguy53081]

As in the title: How far does Ich protrude from the surface of a fish? And do the white spots fall off readily?

This morning one of my clown fish had 2 white spots on it. One above left eye, and one just below dorsal fin on right side. I netted him out to a specimen cup for a better look. The one above the eye was hard to see but the one near the fin “flows” with his movements. It moves back and forth when he moves side to side or changes directions.
I left him alone for about five minutes and when I came back the one over the eye was no longer there. Just the one by the fin remains.
He’s only been in the DT since wednesday. And I do have what I think are cirolanid isopods. I don’t know what their bites look like, and I have not noticed them on any fish so far (day or night). But I have pulled probably 15 or so out in a range of sizes.
Unfortunately, I have not been able to get a usable picture. It does not appear to be a worm or bug/isopod shaped. It extends maybe 1mm from the skin, but is thin/narrow enough to flop around in the “current” generated by the fish. Not at all like a mound or zit.
So I guess: just trying to understand the texture/physical properties of ich to maybe rule it out (or not), vs getting a diagnosis since I don’t have a way to show you.
I will continue to try to get pictures, but that seems unlikely.

Can be an arrays of things whether parasite or worms and pics or videos under white lighting will prove valuable. can even be mucus cones

 

[Karliah]

Can be an arrays of things whether parasite or worms and pics or videos under white lighting will prove valuable. can even be mucus cones

Seeing images of mucus cones/plugs here and via google looks more like it than anything else I have come across. Fingers crossed it’s that.
Still trying to get pictures and have not been able to figure out how to upload videos, but don’t have a usable one so far anyway.

 

[Karliah]

Just for clarity what I mean by not able to get pictures, is every picture I get just looks like a blurry white spot. My camera is unable to pick up the detail I can see with my eyes. In the pictures it just looks like an ich spot.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Seeing images of mucus cones/plugs here and via google looks more like it than anything else I have come across. Fingers crossed it’s that.
Still trying to get pictures and have not been able to figure out how to upload videos, but don’t have a usable one so far anyway.

I have to be brief as I am traveling and about to board aircraft but if so would be associated with marine ich. Treat with Coppersafe or Copper Power at therapeutic level 2.25-2.5 For a FULL 30 days (do not interrupt this 30 day period) monitored by a reliable Copper Test kit such as Hanna Brand- No API brand. Also monitor Ammonia levels while in quarantine with a reliable test kit and add aeration during treatment using an air stone.
The display tank will have to be kept fishless (FALLOW) for 6-8 weeks to assure the existing parasites go through their life cycle without a host fish and die off

 

[threebuoys]

Just for clarity what I mean by not able to get pictures, is every picture I get just looks like a blurry white spot. My camera is unable to pick up the detail I can see with my eyes. In the pictures it just looks like an ich spot.

Based on your original description and the fact you QT'd (I assume with copper), I do not think you should worry. A fish can show a spot for many reasons ranging from a mucus clog to a fine grain of sand. If ich, you would see more than one spot. Just observe. I have a tang that about every 6 months has a white spot appear and remain for several weeks before disappearing. I'm confident it's just mucus.

 

[Karliah]

Based on your original description and the fact you QT'd (I assume with copper), I do not think you should worry. A fish can show a spot for many reasons ranging from a mucus clog to a fine grain of sand. If ich, you would see more than one spot. Just observe. I have a tang that about every 6 months has a white spot appear and remain for several weeks before disappearing. I'm confident it's just mucus.

Since my last post 45ish minutes ago, the other one has fallen off. Going to assume mucus until proven otherwise/progression. Putting him back in the DT and I will be watching him like a hawk lol
I know I freaked out, but better safe than sorry ‍I guess

 

[Weeb]

As in the title: How far does Ich protrude from the surface of a fish? And do the white spots fall off readily?

FYI Cryptocaryon irritans (Marine Ich) imbeds itself into the flesh of the fish. The white 'protrusion' is a mucous extrusion which the fish does to try to fight off the parasite. The mucous doesn't help the fish, but it allows the hobbyist to be able to see it and try to draw diagnoses. The 'usual' Marine Ich mucous extrusion isn't long and doesn't flap around in the current. A fish with Marine Ich often has other symptoms.

Try not to do too much handling of the fish. Netting can cause damage to the fish's mucous coating, their fins, and/or their body.

You are relatively a new member. Welcome to R2R.

I'm glad you've found the spots to be just mucous. When you can, download then read, the Fish Nutrition document.

Good luck!

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Just for clarity what I mean by not able to get pictures, is every picture I get just looks like a blurry white spot. My camera is unable to pick up the detail I can see with my eyes. In the pictures it just looks like an ich spot.

Sometimes, a clear video is easier to get than a still picture.

Jay

 

[Karliah]

Sometimes, a clear video is easier to get than a still picture.

Jay

I have yet to figure out how to upload a video on here. I select it (from my phone), it processes, shows complete at 100%, then only shows a play button with a line through it and is not playable.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I have yet to figure out how to upload a video on here. I select it (from my phone), it processes, shows complete at 100%, then only shows a play button with a line through it and is not playable.

Or you can link to a YouTube post. Videos play well on desktop computers here, with phones, you often need to download them and then view them.
Jay

 

[Weeb]

A video longer than one minute under white light up close to the fish, showing both sides of the fish would be helpful. You can upload the video to YouTube then post the link to it here.