Powder Blue Tang Eyes

[Exus]

There are two thin white lines protruding from the center of my new powder blue tang's eyes, one on each eye, directly from the center. I have no idea what this could be. Tang seems otherwise normal. I don't know how long this has been there, I had thought it was just highlights from the lighting.

What is it?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Looks like the result of flukes. Give it a freshwater dip in a clean and preferable dark bucket for 5 mins at the same temperature as the display tank.
Return it to the tank. Look on bottom of bucket looking for what looks like sesame seeds or fish scales. If you can see that- its flukes. If not, go for treatment using ethromyacin (maracyn 1)

 

[Exus]

Looks like the result of flukes. Give it a freshwater dip in a clean and preferable dark bucket for 5 mins at the same temperature as the display tank.
Return it to the tank. Look on bottom of bucket looking for what looks like sesame seeds or fish scales. If you can see that- its flukes. If not, go for treatment using ethromyacin (maracyn 1)

So I just gave the powder blue a freshwater dip, but now it's eyes look blurry.

 

[vetteguy53081]

So I just gave the powder blue a freshwater dip, but now it's eyes look blurry.

Anything in bucket as mentioned?
Treat with maracyn1 by Mardel

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

There are two thin white lines protruding from the center of my new powder blue tang's eyes, one on each eye, directly from the center. I have no idea what this could be. Tang seems otherwise normal. I don't know how long this has been there, I had thought it was just highlights from the lighting.

What is it?

I can tell you what that is, but not why it is. Those are points of mucus due to some irritation. The fish looks really good in other respects. Neobenedenia flukes more typically cause generalized eye cloudiness and inflammation, plus you will see some "tattering" of the fins and skin, the fish will just look "worn".

How long have you had the fish and how was it quarantined?

Here is a link to an article I wrote of fish eye health:

Aquarium Fish: The ‘Eyes’ Have it: A Review of Eye Health in Aquarium Fishes

Aquarists need to inspect their fish closely every day, for signs of impending health problems. It is much easier to resolve a problem when it first starts, than to attempt a drastic emergency treatment when the fish is close to dying.

reefs.com

Here is a link to an article on fish mucus:

Mucus - The Slime That Binds

Mucus: The Slime that Binds Jay Hemdal C. 2020 This article examines the various causes of excess mucus coatings on fish, as well as fecal mucus issues. ------------------- The mucus produced by the fish’s epidermal cells gives them their...

www.reef2reef.com

Jay