Diagnosis Please...arg I cant win!!!

[jrf1175]

Me again....

Here are a few shots of my new sailfin tang. I picked it up last sunday, they top photo was taken on Tuesday, not 2 days after it was entered into my tank. The other was taken today.

I am not sure if this could be Ich...as I haven't seen it before....so I hope not. The areas are not raised and seem to be spreading slowly and I am now noticing small areas on the other side as well (until today they were only noticeable on the one side).





Upon entry it begin to eat well picking at the algae on the rocks and had not really exhibited any strange behavior....well i saw it flash a few times on a rock, but that is a very rare occurrence. Also, the cleaner shrimp have been paying a lot of attention to it. Lastly, over the last 2 days I have witnessed two very large bowel movements, that don't seem very typical....it is large amounts of digested seaweed from what I can tell.

Anyways, not sure what else I can tell you...hopefully this was enough.

[Woodstock]

It is difficult to tell. Keep an eye on it. Make sure you're feeding it a varied diet including lots of nori. Tangs have HUGE appetites and corresponding bowel movements. Note that it will outgrow your 4' tank very quickly.

[AQTCJAK]

What other fish are in the tank, other Tangs the could be fighting.

[Frankie]

Do the spots look raised in person? It is hard to tell in that picture. Usually ich looks sprinkled over the fish not gathered in one area like that. Hopefully Lee will pipe in on this thread.

[jrf1175]

Originally Posted by FFrankie

Do the spots look raised in person? It is hard to tell in that picture. Usually ich looks sprinkled over the fish not gathered in one area like that. Hopefully Lee will pipe in on this thread.

I have stared at this from every angle and it is definitely not raised.

[jrf1175]

Originally Posted by AQTCJAK

What other fish are in the tank, other Tangs the could be fighting.

@ Oc. Clowns and 4 Green Chromis. It has chased the Chromis a bit that I have seen, but no really aggressive "fighting"

[sasquatch]

I "used" to check the clear parts of the fins, if you see sugar its ich, that looks almost like an abrasion. Steve

[AQTCJAK]

MOre than likely it is fish bites they tend to do that protecting their teritories

[jrf1175]

I just got some Kent Garlic to soak the feed in as I heard it was supposed to help with general health and parasites.

[Frankie]

Nori would be a great way to build the fishes immune system. You can get it toasted or un toasted at grocery stores.

[jrf1175]

I am actually on my way to get some at the grocery store. How should I feed it...I don't have a clip yet.

[jrf1175]

Originally Posted by FFrankie

Nori would be a great way to build the fishes immune system. You can get it toasted or un toasted at grocery stores.

I'm actually one my way to get some now...how should I put it in the tank? I don't have a clip right now.

[Frankie]

Roll it up tight and use your mag cleaner if you have one. If not use a rubber band on a rock.

[jrf1175]

Thanks!

[prow]

that looks to me like the early stages of lymphocystis. i am pretty sure that is what it is. if so no known cure. it looks like you might have got it early enough to do a little surgery and cut out the infected area.
if you choose to do this, do it now before secondary infections take hold and/or before the affected becomes ulcerative and invades underlining tissue
after a QT with braodspectrum antibodies will be needed.