PBT wth spots

I've had this tang for a while now and it's always had these spots. Sometimes it's worse than others. I've treated for ich and really don't think it's the problem. I looks different for some reason. Anyway here's some pics to help figure out what the problem it.

Acne?

You have a neon goby or cleaner shrimp? Im sure they'll try to remove it harmless or not lol.

Looks a lot like White Spot disease... Check this site out and see if maybe one of those descriptions matches your fish:

Saltwater Fish Disease and Treatment Chart | PetSolutions Blog

Hope this helps!

Originally Posted by Variko

You have a neon goby or cleaner shrimp? Im sure they'll try to remove it harmless or not lol.

no I don't have either anymore. I wouldn't mind getting a couple gobies.

Glen can you catch it and get it out?? Try fresh water dipping it and see if it helps. Most parasites and some others will jump off.

I'm nervous to do that.

Every other time I've tried that the fish has died. I have to say though. This one is no where near as lethargic as those were. This one is the pig of the tank.

If it is ICK Glen thats a easy way to get it off there like little Mexican jumping beans you can watch them fly off. I was nervous the first time but not nearly as bad as the first FWD on a clam.

Talking out of my butt here, but I just read an article about freshwater dips, and in it the author said if the fish has the white cysts but no other symptoms, it shouldnt be harmed by the freshwater dip. If the fish is already sick, a freshwater dip may not be a good idea.

All of the articles say to match the temp, and add baking soda to the RODI water to raise the ph to match the tanks ph. Dip for 1-2 mins. If the white spots drop off you know what you have. Id go get a cleaner shrimp and a neon goby if you have the cash. The are really cheap here, I dont know what your lfs charges.

The reason for that is if the fish is really sick it is under alot of stress and the FWD intensifies the stress and alot of case the fish will die but usually means it's on its way out any way.

Id roll the dice and try the dip. If the cysts drop off you know what you are dealing with and know you will be treating all of the fish before it all goes south and they start to show symptoms. Hit em it now while they are healthy and can cope better with a treatment.

Glen if it's only been a couple of days when and (IF) it's ick they will pop off the fish. Maybe done with it may come back. I had a flame get it one day and couple days later was all gone and I did not treat the tank or the fish.

Ich can disapear on it own? Thats cool! Does a skimmer remove the parastes when they are free floating?

aww man, I hope he pulls through. I like the dip idea. toilet seemed to work for me. heh

All, it's been like this for over a year. It's one of the most healthy fish I have. All fat and active. I might try a FW dip this weekend, if I can catch the darn thing.

If it were ich wouldnt it have overrun the tank by now?

Depends on if the other fish are resistant or not. They can build up a defense. The PBTs are known to get sick easily.

Originally Posted by Variko

Ich can disapear on it own? Thats cool! Does a skimmer remove the parastes when they are free floating?

Ich doesn't really disappear on it's own as much as healthy fish are just more immune to it. There is a school of thought that believe every tank has ich in it, you just don't see it until the fish is stressed and the immune system is compromised.

If the fish has had the spots for over a year I would seriously doubt it's ich or anything a FW dip would help. A cleaner shrimp but be able to freshen it up, but I wouldn't worry too much about it. Like I said earlier - I think you've got a fish with bad complexion and acne

I was hoping for that. It's a pretty fish. I hate seeing spots on it like that. It doesn't scratch on anything or appear to be hurting.

If this has been going on for a year then i would just bulk up its diet. Always keep green stuff in the tank for it to eat and feed it a high quality diet.