White spot on Powder brown tang..

[Sistawolf]

I just got this guy last night.. I acclimated him and now he's in QT.. I didn't notice this on him at the lfs.. this morning I noticed he has a small white spot on his forehead. I just want to make sure I do everything I'm supposed to do for this tang. Seeing as they are not the hardiest fish in the world but one of my favorites.. I made the lady even get me a black bag to put his bag in so he couldn't see out to prevent as much stress as possible.. I am pretty well equipped with meds now. But I bought several fish to stock two tanks and they are all in the qt together.. fish stock in qt are Powder brown tang, yellow eye tang, marine beta, Copperband butterfly, rusty angelfish, melanurus wrasse, and a bicolor blenny. What could the white spot be and what should I do to prevent it from getting out of hand? @Humblefish @melypr1985 any ideas?

 

[Brew12]

Wonderful fish! Glad to see that stocking your dream tank is coming along!

I'm curious to see what the experts say, but my opinion would be to just watch it. As long as you have Kanaplex, Metroplex, and Furan-2 on hand I would see if it gets any worse before jumping in with a treatment.

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

White spots are usually indicative of ich, it's caused by a protozoan parasite (Cryptocaryon irritans). You can treat it with copper based medications and you may also want to use a UV sterilizer on the QT tank to help kill its free-floating form. You'll definitely need to keep the tang in QT for 3 or more weeks to make sure the ich is taken care of. Just be careful with the medications since some of them can be toxic in large enough doses, abide by the recommended dosing instructions and you should be fine. Also make sure to feed it vitamin enriched foods to help boost its immune system.

 

[Carlos Danger]

With those fish I'd definitely treat proactively with copper or chloroquine phosphate (CP). Definitely keep him (them) in quarantine for at least 3 weeks but likely 4 weeks.

 

[drawman]

I think I see what you're talking about but there is white all over the picture. Is it the longer spot on the very top of his "forehead"? I tend to agree with Brew12 I would watch for a day or two and would also do TTM prophylactically.

 

[Sistawolf]

Wonderful fish! Glad to see that stocking your dream tank is coming along!

I'm curious to see what the experts say, but my opinion would be to just watch it. As long as you have Kanaplex, Metroplex, and Furan-2 on hand I would see if it gets any worse before jumping in with a treatment.

Thank you great advice my friend!! I have GOT to set myself up a build post and I'm so clueless on how to do that.. maybe i can kind of copy someone else's lol..

 

[Sistawolf]

White spots are usually indicative of ich, it's caused by a protozoan parasite (Cryptocaryon irritans). You can treat it with copper based medications and you may also want to use a UV sterilizer on the QT tank to help kill its free-floating form. You'll definitely need to keep the tang in QT for 3 or more weeks to make sure the ich is taken care of. Just be careful with the medications since some of them can be toxic in large enough doses, abide by the recommended dosing instructions and you should be fine. Also make sure to feed it vitamin enriched foods to help boost its immune system.

I don't believe it's ich or velvet.. sorry for the crap quality pics..

 

[Sistawolf]

With those fish I'd definitely treat proactively with copper or chloroquine phosphate (CP). Definitely keep him (them) in quarantine for at least 3 weeks but likely 4 weeks.

I agree.. though long and hard when adding them about starting coppersafe just for the heck of it..

 

[Sistawolf]

I think I see what you're talking about but there is white all over the picture. Is it the longer spot on the very top of his "forehead"? I tend to agree with Brew12 I would watch for a day or two and would also do TTM prophylactically.

Yes that is the spot I'm referring to.. sorry I know not the best pics in the world.. but it's on top of his forehead.. almost like he hit his head on something

 

[Fishfinder]

Can you clean the glass off and take another pic?

With that combo of fish you'd have to use copper

 

[Brew12]

I agree.. though long and hard when adding them about starting coppersafe just for the heck of it..

While I treat all the fish that go into my system with copper, I would hold off for at least another day or two. Copper is stressful on fish and if this is a bacterial infection forming it is important to keep the fish as stress free as possible. I feel you should let the fish continue to acclimate, establish feeding, and monitor this for a few days.

My thoughts on this.
A fish that will not eat will not survive. This should always be priority one in a QT.
A bacteria infection can kill a fish and takes priority over a prophylactic treatment for parasites.
Antibiotics will not clear a bacteria infection on their own. They only assist the fish's natural immune system against the infection.
A fish not being subjected to copper will have a stronger immune system than one that is in copper.

The only reason I would start copper before seeing how this runs its coarse is if I saw other signs of parasites that made me feel copper was necessary to preserve life.

 

[Sistawolf]

Can you clean the glass off and take another pic?

With that combo of fish you'd have to use copper

Yes.. I'm on my way to the dr.. as soon as I get back home I will try and get a better pic

 

[Brew12]

I have GOT to set myself up a build post and I'm so clueless on how to do that.. maybe i can kind of copy someone else's lol.

Yes, yes you do! You have such a nice system started, how can you not have a build thread!!!???!?!

 

[Sistawolf]

While I treat all the fish that go into my system with copper, I would hold off for at least another day or two. Copper is stressful on fish and if this is a bacterial infection forming it is important to keep the fish as stress free as possible. I feel you should let the fish continue to acclimate, establish feeding, and monitor this for a few days.

My thoughts on this.
A fish that will not eat will not survive. This should always be priority one in a QT.
A bacteria infection can kill a fish and takes priority over a prophylactic treatment for parasites.
Antibiotics will not clear a bacteria infection on their own. They only assist the fish's natural immune system against the infection.
A fish not being subjected to copper will have a stronger immune system than one that is in copper.

The only reason I would start copper before seeing how this runs its coarse is if I saw other signs of parasites that made me feel copper was necessary to preserve life.

Completely makes all the sense in the world.. I will do this and try and get better pictures after I get back from Birmingham

 

[Sistawolf]

Yes, yes you do! You have such a nice system started, how can you not have a build thread!!!???!?!

Because apparently I'm not as smart as some of you guys lol

 

[Brew12]

Because apparently I'm not as smart as some of you guys lol

pfft... you know that isn't true.

I have a feeling it is because you want it to be perfect. Most of us don't shoot for perfection, we just toss up some pictures every once in awhile to keep people happy!

 

[Sistawolf]

pfft... you know that isn't true.

I have a feeling it is because you want it to be perfect. Most of us don't shoot for perfection, we just toss up some pictures every once in awhile to keep people happy!

Shhh don't tell my secrets.. haha naa.. I just need to get my booty in gear.. I just didn't take the time to take pictures of it empty and pictures of my equipment.. which I could kick myself for.. I actually had it started on the messed up tank then got frustrated.. but I will get it done

 

[Humblefish]

I would like to see a clearer pic of that white spot before attempting to make any kind of diagnosis.

 

[Sistawolf]

I would like to see a clearer pic of that white spot before attempting to make any kind of diagnosis.

Sure thing.. as soon as i get home hopefully he will let me get a pic

 

[melypr1985]

I would also want to see a clearer picture. I don't see much of anything in the first three (aside from what looks like floating debris in the tank which isn't much of a cause for concern )