What is this?

[Austin456]

My fish had been QT for sometime, while almost all was observation there was no indication of disease, he ate well and was moving around freely. Today I noticed some pale spots and was wondering what this was. Is this anything or am I just over reacting?

I’ll do my best to get a picture

 

[mike89t]

Try taking photos under white lights.

 

[Austin456]

.

 

[Austin456]

Is it at all possible that he scraped himself on the rock, every night he does swim into a small hole in the rock, this is where he sleeps lol. He also ducks real fast into the same hole when spooked.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Is it at all possible that he scraped himself on the rock, every night he does swim into a small hole in the rock, this is where he sleeps lol. He also ducks real fast into the same hole when spooked.

Really tough to see. Only on the fish’s left side? Could be a scrape, but think about reef fish that are perfectly designed for swimming around sharp coral, they typically don’t run into things. Any other fish in with it? Have you treated for anything yet?
Jay

 

[Austin456]

Really tough to see. Only on the fish’s left side? Could be a scrape, but think about reef fish that are perfectly designed for swimming around sharp coral, they typically don’t run into things. Any other fish in with it? Have you treated for anything yet?
Jay

Two other fish are in the tank but I never QT them, they’ve been in the tank for so long that I know for certain they didn’t carry any diseases in. And yes it’s only on the left side, I’ve examined him from both sides and it only appears on the left side. Also all the other fish in the tank are clean and looking healthy. I also just fed him and he ate like a champ. That is why I believe he just scraped himself on the rock

 

[Austin456]

Any advice would be much appreciated

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Two other fish are in the tank but I never QT them, they’ve been in the tank for so long that I know for certain they didn’t carry any diseases in. And yes it’s only on the left side, I’ve examined him from both sides and it only appears on the left side. Also all the other fish in the tank are clean and looking healthy. I also just fed him and he ate like a champ. That is why I believe he just scraped himself on the rock

I’m trying to rule out a possible bacterial infection - as no length of time or quarantine process can protect against that as most of the pathogenic bacteria are ubiquitous and are found in every tank.
The feeding well is a good sign, if the infection were major, the fish wouldn’t feed well, might breath fast, or act “droopy”. If it isn’t doing any of that, then no treatment would be needed, just keep an eye on it.
Jay

 

[Austin456]

I’m trying to rule out a possible bacterial infection - as no length of time or quarantine process can protect against that as most of the pathogenic bacteria are ubiquitous and are found in every tank.
The feeding well is a good sign, if the infection were major, the fish wouldn’t feed well, might breath fast, or act “droopy”. If it isn’t doing any of that, then no treatment would be needed, just keep an eye on it.
Jay

Thanks for the advice, I’ll keep and eye on him. Out of curiosity what would “droopy” Behavior look like? Just him not swimming around?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Thanks for the advice, I’ll keep and eye on him. Out of curiosity what would “droopy” Behavior look like? Just him not swimming around?

Yes - folded fins, lethargic. Not as easy to see in a firefish as say a clownfish though.

Jay

 

[Austin456]

Yes - folded fins, lethargic. Not as easy to see in a firefish as say a clownfish though.

Jay

Well most of the time and I don’t know if this is normal but the top “trigger fin” of the fire fish isn’t always perked up. He usually perks that fin up when I stop the flow of stick my arm in the tank. Is this a sign of folded fins or him just being a fish, I contribute this to him being comfortable and not agitated in his environment but I’m no expert.