Is this ich?

[erinangele]

I have a Kole Eye Tang in quarentine right now. I have had it almost 2 weeks and just noticed that some of the lighter markings on it's face are more pronounced. Is this ich?

I have not seen any scratching, but the spots seem to be getting worse. It's still eating fine (flake, pellet, nori, and mysis shrimp). Yesterday I treated the tank with Formalin 3 (1 1/2 tsp. in a 15 gal. tank). Experienced reefers what else should I do?

 

[komori]

It may be, but a better picture would help
Ich looks like little white spots above the regular smooth skin on the fish often on tangs that have the small spots as a marking it will look like it
unless the spots are similar to bumps it probably isnt anything to worry about

the most common place that I've seen tangs get ich will be on their fins so if it spreads, I would treat for ich

 

[erinangele]

I'll try to get a better picture. This fish is really shy, so it's pretty difficult to get a decent picture.

 

[erinangele]

I was able to get a couple more shots. It's tail does look like it may be affected as well.

 

[ramdude]

I had the same tang, and that's what happend to him. started to get pail in color and moved on to spots.

 

[MrTuskfish]

I can't tell anything from the pic. Google "marine ich" (images). most fish will be badly infected with ich, but you should be able to tell if the spots match your tang's.

 

[erinangele]

I can't tell anything from the pic. Google "marine ich" (images). most fish will be badly infected with ich, but you should be able to tell if the spots match your tang's.

Thanks. I do think this is ich. I ordered some cupramine (should be here tomorrow), but really want to be sure it's ich before starting treatment. Here are a couple more pictures:

 

[MrTuskfish]

Not ich, at least what I see. Looks like HLLE. this isn't dangerous and will probably go away with good water, diet, and time. there are a zillion theories as to what causes HLLE; but I don't think anyone knows for sure. This is also possibly than the common discoloration that temporarily is seen with some new fish.

 

[erinangele]

Thanks, i'm glad i was able to get better shots. I will continue to feed him/her a varied diet. This fish is eager to eat, but spits out the pellets several times while eating. I actually have never seen it swallow one, however, the pellets do disappear within a half hour so im assuming its eating them. I've never seen a fish do this, but maybe this is typical of bristletooth tangs? I probably should have mentioned this earlier. I also feed it nori and mysis shrimp.

Could this coloration also be caused by stress? This fish is pretty shy and i have a 3 year old running around. Now that i think about it, i noticed the spots after doing the first water change.

Off to research HLLE.