Is this ich?

[claybers]

I had this royal gamma in my quarantine tank for 2 weeks, no sign of ich or anything. I netted the fish and put it in my display tank. He has been super scared and hiding in the top right corner of the tank by the over flows. I noticed a white dot and wonder if it’s a scratch or ich that came out of thin air due to stress.

 

[Tiki_Reef]

The little white spot on his back? It is hard to tell by your pics, is possible to get a better one?

 

[claybers]

Hard to get pics in that spot. Should I just play it safe and put it pack in QT.

 

[Tiki_Reef]

Hard to get pics in that spot. Should I just play it safe and put it pack in QT.

I mean yeah that would work, did you have him in QT before releasing him and how long has he been in your display, also is your qt medicated?

 

[rmorris_14]

It is hard to see in the pic… to me it looks too big to be ich.. I would watch it if the spot multiples and move positions than it is probably ich. If not, it’s likely lymph.
#fishmedic for second opinion.

 

[Tiki_Reef]

It is hard to see in the pic… to me it looks too big to be ich.. I would watch it if the spot multiples and move positions than it is probably ich. If not, it’s likely lymph.
#fishmedic for second opinion.

Yeah I was thinking the same thing too big to be ich.

 

[threebuoys]

As suggested keep an eye on it to see if more appear. I also think the one spot is too big.

 

[vetteguy53081]

It’s a viral mark known as lymphocystis which is often associated with poor water quality or diet or both
What is your ammonia and nitrate level and what test kits are you using?
What foods ate you feeding? This fish requires more than just flake and pellets if that’s the diet being provided

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I had this royal gamma in my quarantine tank for 2 weeks, no sign of ich or anything. I netted the fish and put it in my display tank. He has been super scared and hiding in the top right corner of the tank by the over flows. I noticed a white dot and wonder if it’s a scratch or ich that came out of thin air due to stress.

Just some observations:

Be sure the gramma isn't hanging up there because some other fish is driving it up there

It looks pretty skinny, has it been eating well? You should feed it more and more often to fatten it up

Remember that observational quarantine does not screen for any of the common parasites - ich, velvet or flukes. Gramma often get ich and flukes. While this spot is likely Lymphocystis, watch for smaller spots as well as if the fish flashes/scratches.

Jay