Weird white patches on Blue Dot Toby

[DerekBunzel]

I recently purchased a beautiful blue dot Toby at my LFS. He has seemed to be doing great until this morning. I woke up and instantly checked my tanks as usual and found him on the bottom near the glass. He wasn’t moving and had a ton of white patches on him that he normally doesn’t have. Today is the last day of the 7 day warranty so I was ready to take him back to my LFS because I heard that infections are common. I wish I had taken a picture of what he looked like. However, I come back home later in the day and the spots are gone and he’s acting normal! What should I do? Do they change color and is this normal?

 

[DerekBunzel]

This is a picture of what he looks like currently.

 

[Big G]

Blue dots can collect lots of little bits of sand/coral debris on their skin at times as they are digging around in the substrate looking for food at times. Scares the heck out of you the first time you see it. Hoping this was what you were seeing. Mine right now has some sand/coral particles stuck to its side and bottom as it happily swims around.
So were they little spots like sugar/salt or larger areas?

 

[DerekBunzel]

Blue dots can collect lots of little bits of sand/coral debris on their skin at times as they are digging around in the substrate looking for food at times. Scares the heck out of you the first time you see it. Hoping this was what you were seeing. Mine right now has some sand/coral particles stuck to its side and bottom as it happily swims around.
So were they little spots like sugar/salt or larger areas?

No he gets white patches that look like discoloration on him but they come and go. This was making me think they could change color to almost camouflage when they are sleepy because that’s when I notice them the most. When I first got him he had the sand stuck to his belly and scared me like you mentioned so I know what that looks like and this is not.

 

[code4]

could it be like a mandarin if it is only noticed when he first wakes up? they almost look dead when sleeping! Turn out the lights in the room and tank and see if he reverts back to the patchy look.

 

[DerekBunzel]

could it be like a mandarin if it is only noticed when he first wakes up? they almost look dead when sleeping!

That very well could be the case. I’m gonna do some more research to find out. Thanks for the reply!

 

[Big G]

No he gets white patches that look like discoloration on him but they come and go. This was making me think they could change color to almost camouflage when they are sleepy because that’s when I notice them the most. When I first got him he had the sand stuck to his belly and scared me like you mentioned so I know what that looks like and this is not.

Never noticed my Toby using camouflage, perhaps it varies a bit depending on the tank background. Noticed your corals are very white in the pictures; my corals are darker (algae, etc.) and perhaps they try to match a bit. Now my Foxface, he's the color change artist. Amazing how fast it can change color.

 

[DerekBunzel]

That’s what I’m hoping. I love this little guy already so I think I’ll risk it. Hopefully I’m just paranoid and hes healthy

 

[code4]

@DerekBunzel I was editing when you first looked at my post. I suggested turning off all lights and see if he looks patchy after a bit. Good luck with him.

 

[DerekBunzel]

@DerekBunzel I was editing when you first looked at my post. I suggested turning off all lights and see if he looks patchy after a bit. Good luck with him.

I will do that when I get home, thanks!

 

[Big G]

Found this on the web. Scroll down to the posting that says, "Puffer Question Hello!" The poster wrote how their Toby would change color to match the rocks.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/tobyfaqs.htm

 

[DerekBunzel]

Found this on the web. Scroll down to the posting that says, "Puffer Question Hello!" The poster wrote how their Toby would change color to match the rocks.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/tobyfaqs.htm

Wow that is very helpful, thank you! I am going to turn off the lights when I get home and see if he gains any more white patches. This will confirm that they may change color to adapt to its surroundings. My tank is very white atm. White rocks, white sand, black background, and bright lights. Hopefully this is the case.

 

[code4]

That sounds promising. I love reading and learning here. Never know when I might need this information!

 

[DerekBunzel]

That sounds promising. I love reading and learning here. Never know when I might need this information!

Thanks for all your help!

 

[Big G]

That sounds promising. I love reading and learning here. Never know when I might need this information!

+1 ^^^ exactly. So much to learn each and every day.

 

[DerekBunzel]

Great news guys! He once again turned white this morning. This confirms that they do use camouflage during the night when they are sleeping. He changed from white to blue within about 15 minutes after the lights were turned on.

 

[code4]

Very awesome. Just like my wonderful mandarins. I know how you felt. It sure looked dead the first time I shined a light on it by accident. I was looking for pod populations.

Thank you so much for the update. I know you are breathing easier this morning.

Shelley

 

[Big G]

Great news Really like these little puffers.