What’s wrong with my Kole Tang?

[JaDear]

Just today notice kole tang rubbing his face in gravel and saw minor sores on his face. Water chemistry is good. New addition of a Valentino puffer out of quarantine that I treated for flukes. Could I have added the puffer too soon? Or is it something else?

 

[fishguy242]

hi welcome to the reef ,please post params,more pics, @Jay Hemdal

 

[Eagle_Steve]

Just today notice kole tang rubbing his face in gravel and saw minor sores on his face. Water chemistry is good. New addition of a Valentino puffer out of quarantine that I treated for flukes. Could I have added the puffer too soon? Or is it something else?

On my phone, so pic is horrible. My phone quality, not your pic lol. @Jay Hemdal should be able to help

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Just today notice kole tang rubbing his face in gravel and saw minor sores on his face. Water chemistry is good. New addition of a Valentino puffer out of quarantine that I treated for flukes. Could I have added the puffer too soon? Or is it something else?

Hi, welcome to Reef2Reef!

As mentioned, can you try for another picture, one taken under white, not blue light? Also, take a look at the link below my name here (or at the top of this section, second post down in the sticky section). That lists additional information that is helpful to us in trying to identify the problem.

Neobenedenia flukes can very often get through quarantine because their eggs are sticky and are not killed by most treatments. That said, this is an unusual location to see damage from that fluke, so I hope that isn't the issue.

Jay

 

[JaDear]

pH - 8.3
NH3 - 0
NO2 - 0
NO3 - 20
PO4 - <0.25
dKH - 8.5
Ca - 400
Mg - 1290
Cu - 0

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Thanks, those pictures are very clear. I’m not seeing skin flukes. I do see an odd lump in front of the fish’s right pelvic fin, has it had that long?
If the fish isn’t breathing fast or with an open mouth, and if it is eating well, I would go back to the idea that it is just a little scraped up and to just keep a close eye on it.

Jay

 

[JaDear]

That lump is new and the pic does not capture the assoc. abrasion that well around the lump. It has been eating well and no behavior changes other than upturning and rubbing its face in the gravel. Also, little to no electric current present. Thanks and will keep an eye on it and the others.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

If things don't clear up in a few days, you could consider giving the tang a 5 minute freshwater dip and look for flukes. It can be stressful to the fish, so you only want to do that if you are confident the fish isn't getting any better on its own. The FW dip isn't a full treatment, but by looking at the bottom of the container afterwards, you can sometimes see flukes, and then, if the fish improves afterwards (the next day) then flukes are likely and you can start a full treatment with praziquantel.

Jay