Are the tomont (ich) viewable to the naked eye?

[jdircksen]

I have a valentine puffer that has a few white spots. I am attributing it to stress due to a rapid decrease of nitrates and a reduced feeding schedule. This is my first experience with ich so now he is in a QT (set up today) with Mardel CopperSafe. After 20 minutes, I can easily see a stringy white substance on his underside. It looks like he has a beard. This is only on his underside, not on any of his fins or the top/sides of his body.

Could this be the tomont exiting the cysts?

http://www.liveaquaria.com/general/general.cfm?general_pagesid=78
The protozoan then breaks out of the cyst and is called a tomont. The tomont swims freely for 12 to 18 hours until it produces sticky opaque material and creates a cyst, which then attaches to a rock, coral, glass, etc.

 

[Steven Pro]

No, it could be excessive mucus production from the irritation of the parasites or the copper treatment.