Sailfin tang white spots on body

[Chris' Reef]

New here to R2R and not exactly the kind of post I wanted to get started with. About ten days ago I purchased a very healthy looking sailfin tang from my LFS, it has been in my 20 gallon QT since and is still eating like a pig. About three days ago I started noticing some slight loss of color and spots on its body that do not look like ich (all too familiar with this) They do not appear to be raised and are much larger than the ich spots I've dealt with in the past. I checked water parameters and all was well except for PH which was about 7.4, which I corrected. Then today I noticed what appears to be ich on it's tail and fins, body still looks the same. Are the first spots I noticed related to the low PH condition, stress spots perhaps, or is it something else? I'm seeking other opinions before I decide on course of action for the ich since it may not be the only thing I need to treat. It's not the easiest thing to see in a picture but I attempted to get one. Thanks in advance.

 

[hdsoftail1065]

First off welcome to R2R! Second, I'm sorry your having problems with your Sailfin. It is difficult to see what's going on in the pic, can you try to get a better one? In the meantime I will try to get one of the desease experts in to take a peek to see if they can spot what's going on.

#reefsquad

 

[kschweer]

Welcome!! Maybe @4FordFamily @ngoodermuth @HotRocks can help.

 

[HotRocks]

Welcome to R2R!

Sorry your first post had to be in the dreaded disease forum

Could possibly be flukes with the larger spots.

The tail definitely has some spots on it but would need a more clear picture to be for certain.

 

[SkillKing21]

Bacterial infection maybe?

 

[SkillKing21]

Did you do copper?

 

[4FordFamily]

I can’t make out much but I’d do a freshwater dip in a dark bucket. Match temp. If you see “sesame seeds” drop off we will know that is one ailment you have.

What have you tested the fish with and for how long?

Welcome to R2R, by the way!

 

[Frtdrmrose7]

New here to R2R and not exactly the kind of post I wanted to get started with. About ten days ago I purchased a very healthy looking sailfin tang from my LFS, it has been in my 20 gallon QT since and is still eating like a pig. About three days ago I started noticing some slight loss of color and spots on its body that do not look like ich (all too familiar with this) They do not appear to be raised and are much larger than the ich spots I've dealt with in the past. I checked water parameters and all was well except for PH which was about 7.4, which I corrected. Then today I noticed what appears to be ich on it's tail and fins, body still looks the same. Are the first spots I noticed related to the low PH condition, stress spots perhaps, or is it something else? I'm seeking other opinions before I decide on course of action for the ich since it may not be the only thing I need to treat. It's not the easiest thing to see in a picture but I attempted to get one. Thanks in advance.

Welcome to R2R!!!

 

[ngoodermuth]

Good advice so far regarding the spots, I’d +1 to starting with a freshwater dip to confirm/rule out flukes.

Also, You mentioned the PH being low... that tank looks very cloudy, maybe a bacterial bloom? You have to be careful, as these can really lower the available oxygen. I’d do a pretty sizable water-change, and add an air-stone and powerhead aimed at the surface if you haven’t already.

Maybe then you’ll be able to get a clearer photo as well

Welcome, and sorry you’re having troubles with your lovely sail-fin...

 

[Chris' Reef]

Did you do copper?[/Q

Good advice so far regarding the spots, I’d +1 to starting with a freshwater dip to confirm/rule out flukes.

Also, You mentioned the PH being low... that tank looks very cloudy, maybe a bacterial bloom? You have to be careful, as these can really lower the available oxygen. I’d do a pretty sizable water-change, and add an air-stone and powerhead aimed at the surface of you haven’t already.

Maybe then you’ll be able to get a clearer photo as well

Welcome, and sorry you’re having troubles with your lovely sail-fin...[/QUOTE

I will try the freshwater

 

[Chris' Reef]

The water really isn't as cloudy as it looks in that picture, but I went ahead did a 50 percent water change. The tank is set up with a HOB filter and also has a small powerhead agitating the surface. I am temperature and PH adjusting some RO water at the moment and I'll try the freshwater dip as soon as it's ready. Assuming it's flukes I'll do a round of Prazipro.

Not sure how I'll attack the ich along with flukes (assuming it has flukes). I've successfully used Cupramine in the past, but have heard Zebrasoma tangs can be sensitive to it. Attached is a somewhat better pic. Trying to use my phone and getting a lot of glare off of the glass.

 

[BellaCoop]

Welcome to R2R!! Those spots are hard to tell... Did they just randomly pop up or could they have been bite / scraping scars from before you got it?

 

[ngoodermuth]

You can use prazi with copper if you have to, but I would most definitely add an airstone...in addition to the powerhead. Prazi also depletes O2, and tangs definitely a bit more sensitive to drops than some other fish because they are so active.

You also might want to follow your freshwater dip with an antiseptic bath if you have it- acriflavine (my preference) or methylene blue. It’s hard to tell, but it looks like some of those spots might be a bit of secondary infection to whatever parasite he’s dealing with.