Ick or something else?

[Krzydmnd]

Hi all! I picked this little guy up today and noticed these white almost worm like things on his lower section. The glass is dirty and he's a white spotted pygmy file fish so a lot of the other specks and dots aren't my concern. What I didn't notice till I got him home (and put on my reading glasses) are those white protrusions on his belly.

They actually kinda wave in the current a bit and are like 1/32 of an inch off of his, body.

I haven't yet had any fish with diseases to identify from experience. I'm hoping I can help this little guy out!

 

[Big G]

Are there any redish looking marks where each one of the worms is attached. Look closely at the end of the worm. Is it shaped like a V? Is the fish rubbing against the infected area?

 

[Krzydmnd]

Are there any redish looking marks where each one of the worms is attached. Look closely at the end of the worm. Is it shaped like a V? Is the fish rubbing against the infected area?

No red marks. Look like individual strings, not V shaped. No rubbing although he's only been in the tank about an hour. He was eating at the LFS and ate a few pellets in my QT but otherwise juat hanging out in the same spot.

 

[4FordFamily]

I’d try a freshwater dip. Match the temperature of the water, and use a dark bucket. If anything dislodges, this sounds like a job for prazipro! Two doses 5-7 days apart.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/freshwater-dip.248898/

@Humblefish @melypr1985

 

[melypr1985]

I agree with the freshwater dip, though it could just be debris from when he was caught and bagged at the store. If the white things are gone in a few hours, then it's likely just debris and the FW dip isn't needed.

 

[Maritimer]

Don't filefish often have little projections, just as part of their general camouflage appearance? I seem to have seen them before.

~Bruce

 

[code4]

Bruce I think you are correct. Could be normal for this fish. Looked at some photos online and saw some that look the same.
Shelley

 

[Big G]

Don't filefish often have little projections, just as part of their general camouflage appearance? I seem to have seen them before.

~Bruce

I just love this hobby. You learn something new and unique each and every day. Here's a bit I just found on the Filefish: "Filefish have an unusual scale morphology, in which setae (or spines) are present. These give the fishes’ skin a particularly rough texture, hence the name." What do you think Bruce? Are the projections the "spines"?

 

[Krzydmnd]

Don't filefish often have little projections, just as part of their general camouflage appearance? I seem to have seen them before.

~Bruce

Interesting because they're in the same place on both sides! I mean not exactly. But same area. Ill look into that further. Thank you!

 

[Big G]

Bingo!

 

[Krzydmnd]

So searching online and looking at closeups up other pygmy filefish I do see some with similar 'thingies' (I believe that is the Latin word for them) in the same places. Mine has more than I've seen on others but it does seem natural! I wouldn't have ever noticed them if not looking for them!

Hopefully this thread helps someone else who picks up one of these little guys in the future and researches whitespotted pygmy filefish!

 

[Maritimer]

What do you think Bruce? Are the projections the "spines"?

I don't think so, Big G ... These are more likely skin projections, rather than the spiny scales. It's those scales which give the "filefish" its name - their skin literally feels file-like.

~Bruce, who's collected a few species off Long Island and Key West (long, long ago . . . )

 

[Big G]

I don't think so, Big G ... These are more likely skin projections, rather than the spiny scales. It's those scales which give the "filefish" its name - their skin literally feels file-like.

~Bruce, who's collected a few species off Long Island and Key West (long, long ago . . . )

Was thinking the "spines" might be similar to the Tang's scalpels. Thanks, Bruce!