Sand, or?

Schnizzle · Nov 5, 2018

This spot/speck has been on my Dragonet (Synchiropus picturatus) since I got her home. I didn't notice it in the store. When I first noticed it, it was a little further back, as described in the photos below. It has not grown or changed color. I have seen her trying to rub it off against the PVC pipes, which obviously isn't working well. Any thoughts on what this is? Would a trophont visibly "grow" or stay the same size? Could it move? Can I net her and try picking it off? I have 3 fish in QT under the observe and treat if needed method. (Stonogobiops nematodes and Siganus unimaculatus)

I do still have a dish of sand with a piece of rock in the QT because I had a shrimp, which was returned. Long story. I left it because it's easy to strap algae to for the foxface and I thought it might help with the pods for her.

Sorry, my photos are crap because she hates my phone. Maybe it's the red color? haha I'll try taking the cover off and get better pics tonight.

These show the spot as best I could get last night.

Below shows in white where the spot was when I first noticed it. The red arrow is where it has moved to, presumably by her antics of removal attempts. I want to add that I did not see it moving, just noticed it in a different location.

Schnizzle · Nov 5, 2018

Also worth noting, the spot is ~1mm in diameter.

HotRocks · Nov 5, 2018

These fish are very "ich resistant"

Trophonts would be attached to the gills, they are not visible to the naked eye. They are microscopic. "White Spots" on fish are simply an irritation of the mucus layer.

Since this spot is moving around I would suspect a skin fluke. A 5min FW dip would confirm if it is a skin fluke or not. If it is it should come off in the dip.

Schnizzle · Nov 5, 2018

Thank you! That makes sense. I'll set her up a freshwater dip tonight.

Schnizzle · Nov 6, 2018

Well, when I got home the spot was still on her head. I prepped the RODI dip with a preset heater just like the one in her QT tank and an air stone. She didn't want to get in the net at all and I'm not a fan of chasing them down with one. Finally netted her and in the RODI bath she went for 5 minutes. I watched her so intently to make sure she was doing alright that I forgot to look for the spot. Once the alarm went off I put the net in to get her and she eagerly swam in. Haha I think she wanted her Foxface friend back. Before and after releasing her back to the QT tank I inspected her and could not find the spot. I didn't see anything in the net. The only thing I could find in my dark blue tub looked like a human skin flake to me under a magnifying glass. (I may invest in a microscope now) However, I did not observe her "flashing" anymore last night or this morning.

Thanks for the advice!

HotRocks · Nov 6, 2018

Good deal, it was likely a skin fluke. I would recommend treating with Prazipro. 2 treatments 5-7 days apart. 25% WC before dose 2.

Schnizzle · Nov 6, 2018

Will do! Pretty sure I have a box already.

Schnizzle · Nov 20, 2018

Whatever it was hasn't resurfaced. Thank you for your advice @HotRocks .
Today marks the successful (I hope) end of treatment and QT. These three (mandarin, goby and foxface) are going in my tank and I'm off to get the next round of fish for QT.

HotRocks · Nov 20, 2018

Glad to hear that and you are very welcome I always love a good success story!

Schnizzle · Dec 13, 2018

Well, bad news. I'm not sure what it was but it resurfaced again, this time it turned red and popped like a pimple killing my mandarin. This happened in a matter of days, right after Thanksgiving. The other two fish in the tank are still fine as of today. My fiancee got it out as soon as she saw it dead. Bummer, I froze it if anyone has any suggestions for analysis? I'm very curious as to what happened.

actik · Jan 4, 2019

what do people mean by "dip"

HotRocks · Jan 4, 2019

actik said:
what do people mean by "dip"

5 min freshwater dip.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/freshwater-dip.248898/

actik · Jan 4, 2019

people do that with both salt water fish and coral to... heal it ?

HotRocks · Jan 4, 2019

You wouldn't dip a coral in FW. Coral RX, Bayer, things like that are used for dipping Corals to remove coral pests.

The FW dip for fish is generally used to confirm flukes. As they fall off the fish if they are present. FW dip can also provide temporary relief for things like ich, velvet, Brook, etc.