"Pimples" & White Patches on Purple Tang

[Ltingen75mixed]

Noticed the "pimples" on the tail fin about month ago.

In the last 1-2 weeks white patches/discoloration are appearing and are spreading.

Don't think it's related to water quality as coral and other fish are fine.

Tang is still eating like a hog and swimming aggressively. Just started breathing heavily/panting within the last few says.

I've had this tang for about 3 years now. Hopefully this is curable!

Any and all input would be greatly appreciated.

Photos attached for reference.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

When was the last time you added a fish or invertebrate to the tank?
If it didn’t pick something up from a recent addition, you have to consider chronic, ubiquitous disease issues, and two common ones are fatty liver disease and mycobacterium. Tangs almost never get fatty liver disease because they are fed herbivore diets. That leaves myco as a possibility- can cause lesions and rapid breathing. Trouble is, there aren’t treatments for either of those issues....
Jay

 

[Ltingen75mixed]

Thank you for the feedback!

I last added a fish about 2 months ago. A mandarin that did not survive.

I assume that means this could be parasitic?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Thank you for the feedback!

I last added a fish about 2 months ago. A mandarin that did not survive.

I assume that means this could be parasitic?

No, 2 months is a long time, and mandarins don’t carry many diseases that scaled fish can get. The rapid breathing could be an issue though, if the mandarin brought flukes in.
What other fish are in this tank?
Jay

 

[Ltingen75mixed]

Marine Betta in tank 5+ years
Maroon clown in tank 2+ years
Snowflake eel in tank 6+ months
Blue throat trigger in tank 6+ months

 

[Ltingen75mixed]

Should I try freshwater dip to identify flukes?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Marine Betta in tank 5+ years
Maroon clown in tank 2+ years
Snowflake eel in tank 6+ months
Blue throat trigger in tank 6+ months

If those fish are all symptom-free, then I'm back to where I stared, some chronic disease, particular to the purple tang. He is a chunky fellow, perhaps it is fatty liver disease after all? It could be something else, but trouble is, I cannot offer you any treatment that would really be workable in a DT. That rapid breathing is still a worry. I don't suppose you could very easily catch the tang for a 5 minute freshwater dip to screen for flukes?

Jay