ID Help: White nodule dangling from wrasse's gil

[BWSR]

Hey all, thank you for taking a look at these pictures. I've done some research, spoken with multiple local fish stores, and am still unsure of what exactly my fish has.

I've had it for roughly 2 weeks, it was not quarantined (shame), and has been scratching on the LR for most of that time. It has never manifested any visual indication besides small patches of roughed up scales.

Today, there is a small white thing hanging from his right gil, but it still doesn't look like the pictures of Ich that I find.

Any help is appreciated. Thank you!

 

[NanaReefer]

Possible Gill Flukes.

 

[Humblefish]

Possible Gill Flukes.

^^This is very possible. I would do a FW dip to confirm (see below.)

Freshwater Dip: Provides temporary relief for Brooklynella, Flukes, Marine Velvet disease (Amyloodinium); possibly even Ich & Uronema marinum (both unproven). Can be used to confirm the presence of Flukes.

How To Treat - Fill a bucket with RODI water, and use a heater to match the temperature to the water the fish is coming from. Aerate the water heavily for at least 30 minutes prior to doing the dip, then discontinue aeration while performing the dip. Fish aren’t overly pH sensitive for short durations like this, but you can squirt a little tank water into the dip just before the fish goes in to help bring it up.

Place the fish in the freshwater (FW) dip and observe closely. It is not unusual for them to freak out a little at first. Also, tangs are notorious for “playing dead” during a FW dip. The important thing is to watch their gills; they should be breathing heavily at all times during the dip. If breathing slows, it’s time to exit the dip. Dip the fish for no longer than 5 minutes. Multiple dips may be done, but it’s important to give your fish a day to recuperate in-between dips.

For flukes, use a dark (preferably black) bucket so you can see if tiny white worms fall out of the fish (especially out of the gills) at around the 3-4 minute mark. The worms will settle to the bottom, so you can use a flashlight to look for them there as well.

Pros - Provides temporary relief for a wide range of diseases in a chemical free environment. Can “buy you more time” until a proper treatment can be done.

Cons/Side Effects - Not a permanent “fix” for any disease, as FW dips are not potent enough to eradicate all of the parasites/worms afflicting the fish. Some fish can have an adverse reaction to a FW dip by appearing unable to maintain their equilibrium once returned to the aquarium. If this happens, hold the fish upright (using latex, nitrile or rubber gloves), and gently glide him through the water (to get saltwater flowing through the gills again). It is also a good idea to place the fish in an acclimation box until he appears “normal”.

 

[Humblefish]

If the white spots remain after the FW dip and you don't see any white specks fall out of the gills, next best guess would be Lymphocystis.

Lymphocystis:

Symptoms - Lymphocystis appears as a white or beige colored cauliflower-like growth that usually starts on the fins and spines and sometimes spreads to the body. Initially it may be small (looks like ich), and then grows in size (which is how you know it’s not ich). Lympho is a virus that many fish carry for life. Fortunately, it is rarely fatal or even harmful to the fish, and symptoms will come and go.

Treatment options - No known cure or treatment exists. However, feeding vitamin-enriched foods and maintaining pristine water conditions may expedite the “going away” process.

 

[steve&mari]

Look up fw dip it'll cause flukes to fall outta gills to provide some fast relief but not a solution still will need treatment. Use a dark bucket to do fw dip so you can see the flukes in it I believe it's around 3 minutes they'll start becoming visible in bucket.

 

[steve&mari]

Thank you @Humblefish

 

[BWSR]

Wow thank you for the quick responses!

I'm going to read through everything again once I get home and perhaps try a FW dip.

Will post results.

 

[BWSR]

So I'm home now, and the white thing is gone from its gil, and I'm wondering if the FW dip will make things worse by stressing it out further.

I may wait until external signs return.

 

[rajkovich207]

If you can easily net him don't wait. Can easily make things worse if you wait. It will also give a chance for the flukes and anything else to spread to your other fish.

 

[steve&mari]

If you can easily net him don't wait. Can easily make things worse if you wait. It will also give a chance for the flukes and anything else to spread to your other fish.

Totally agree I wouldn't wait I'd do the fw dip and see what comes out.

 

[Humblefish]

^^Agree with above. A FW dip, if done properly, is minimally invasive. In 35+ years, I've probably FW dipped hundreds of fish and the only ones I've ever lost were ones already on death's doorstep.

However that being said, a sixline wrasse is not going to be easy to catch in a DT.

 

[BWSR]

Understood. I'll leave the net in the water to acclimate the fish to it's presence, and then try when I feed next. Thanks for the confirmations.

 

[BWSR]

Tried to catch the boogar when feeding but I didn't even have a chance.

Let him be, and he seems to be doing better No more flukes, and his scales are clearing up.

Thanks for all the advice, hope things stay clean!

 

[twilliard]

I was going to say 6 lines are a pain to catch !
If you need to do further treatment wait for the lights to go and take the rock out that he sleeps in.
They have a home every night and stick to it when dark.