Ich or Bullying

[Piscean_Introvert]

Hi all,

im concerned that this is either ich or my little goby is being bullied.

Other tank mates:
Six line wrasse
2 saddleback clownfish
Yellow Belly Hippo Tang
Yellow Tang
3 bangaii cardinalfish

 

[Uncle99]

In the second pic I see 2 spots…..ick…….does not really look like it but the picture is a bit blurry on my device.
If he/she displays no other behavioral change…..I’d say nope.

Watch, the six line, he has a mouth small enough to make marks like that, some are OK, others, not so great socially.

 

[vetteguy53081]

These dont look like parasites but rather bubbles which may be just that - Bubbles or bacterial
try approaching fih with a net and see if the stuff falls off of him. If so- Bubbles. If not, may have to quarantine and treat.
Please post a couple of pics under white lighting for clarity and better i.d.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Hi all,

im concerned that this is either ich or my little goby is being bullied.

Other tank mates:
Six line wrasse
2 saddleback clownfish
Yellow Belly Hippo Tang
Yellow Tang
3 bangaii cardinalfish

I don't think this is from bullying (but watch that wrasse). Ich on neon gobies looks very much like this - their mucus coat and small size makes the trophonts seem larger. What is the fish's history?

One thing you can do is watch the spots - if they come and go over 36 to 48 hours, then it probably is ich. If they remain at the same number, in the same location, probably not ich. Also, if other fish start to show spots, then it is more likely ich.

Jay

 

[Piscean_Introvert]

Well the next morning I couldn’t find him, but will keep a close eye on the other fish to see if any spots show up on them.

what could have caused ich if I haven’t introduced anything new into the tank?

 

[Sharkbait19]

Those pictures do resemble late stage ich, and bare a very similar look to my shark nose goby when he was infected and near death. Chances are that the other fish will become infected soon.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Well the next morning I couldn’t find him, but will keep a close eye on the other fish to see if any spots show up on them.

what could have caused ich if I haven’t introduced anything new into the tank?

It isn't unusual for ich to start up in an aquarium 6 months or longer after the last fish was added, if they weren't fully quarantined. Ich can fester as an chronic infection for quite some time, and the tomont stage is theoretically able to remain viable for 75 days (though 45 days is more likely).

Jay

 

[Piscean_Introvert]

Hmm I recently completed a reeflux treatment a couple of weeks ago, I wonder if that could have weakened his immune system.

thanks for all of the help everyone, so glad to be a part of the community