Golden Puffer Discoloration?

[Irenicus]

In QT my Golden Puffer has these abnormal discolorations. Appetite good, behavior normal. There doesn't appear to be any parasitic dots to suggest Ick.

Has anyone seen this before? Should I start a treatment?

Anyone see this before?

 

[Irenicus]

Bump

 

[Nighthawk31]

Have you posted this in the fish disease section? It's hard for me to tell from the photo, but, the spots look a little large to be ich. Sorry I wasn't much help. Maybe someone else will chime in. Good luck, that's one of my favorite fish.

 

[Irenicus]

Thanks Nighthawk. I cross posted there as well. I thought someone in the aggressive/fowl might stumble upon this and have any feedback. Thanks for posting.

 

[RouDaiLLe]

Hello,

The fish seems healthy.
The yellow phases in Arothron meleagris (golden puffer) is a phasis, which means he can be gold and then become black with white spot again.

In the nature, I have often notice that the golden puffer is the dominant in a group (probably a male) and that the dominated are always black with white points.

Therefore, you should not start any treatment. Is the fish dominated at the moment? The specimen you have seems young.

Rudy

 

[Irenicus]

Thanks for the response Rudy, I really appreciate it. Right now I would say he is dominant as he's the only fish. I can't ascertain his age, but he is about 10-11 inches.

I never knew they could revert back to the black and white spot phase again.

 

[RouDaiLLe]

Well to be totally honest, I never some got back to the total black phase, but i have seen some going from the total Gold phase to the brownish phases (like a mix). But I anticipate, it could go further even if i am not sure.

In any case, your specimen seem healthy.
Rudy

 

[Juice It]

I wouldn't worry about it, our golden puffer got lighter for a few months and then went back to normal. If he is eating and acting normal I would think he is fine.

 

[Irenicus]

Thanks everyone for your help.

Area is still like faded, but he is eating and doing fine.