White spot on sailfin tangs head

[cww81]

I found this white spot on my sailfin tang this morning and it’s still there now. It’s not flush with his body it protrudes a bit and there isn’t a single spot on any other fish or on itself other than this one. I’ve had the fish for 2 months. Worrying about ich but I want to make sure before I put him through the stress.

 

[Dbichler]

I’m no disease expert but it looks kind of like a mucus spot. If it’s ich it will fall off and come back in greater numbers. Sorry can’t help more sure somebody with more disease knowledge will chime in soon.

 

[cww81]

Thanks for the info Dbichler. Bump for more help

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

It is too large to be ich, and in the wrong location to be Lymphocystis. It may just be a mucus plug. I discuss those in this article:

Mucus - The Slime That Binds

Mucus: The Slime that Binds Jay Hemdal C. 2020 This article examines the various causes of excess mucus coatings on fish, as well as fecal mucus issues. ------------------- The mucus produced by the fish’s epidermal cells gives them their...

www.reef2reef.com

Jay

 

[cww81]

It is too large to be ich, and in the wrong location to be Lymphocystis. It may just be a mucus plug. I discuss those in this article:

Mucus - The Slime That Binds

Mucus: The Slime that Binds Jay Hemdal C. 2020 This article examines the various causes of excess mucus coatings on fish, as well as fecal mucus issues. ------------------- The mucus produced by the fish’s epidermal cells gives them their...

www.reef2reef.com

Jay

Thanks a lot Jay. I read that It can lead to death in some fish, any thoughts on how my fish will do? Also I didn't see a treatment in the article, is there any way to treat this?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Thanks a lot Jay. I read that It can lead to death in some fish, any thoughts on how my fish will do? Also I didn't see a treatment in the article, is there any way to treat this?

If it is one of those idiopathic mucus plugs, there is no treatment, they just go away on their own. What you need to do is keep an eye on it; if new pots develop, or if this one grows larger, then it may become time to act. Right now, I think treating it for an unknown problem would just add stress.

jay