Large white spot with a black middle on white cheek tang

[oldpaddy]

Good morning and happy new year everyone! I have a large white cheek tang (6"+) I added to my mix reef the other day. I noticed a large white spot with a black middle on him the day after I added him. Today the white spot has moved to his forehead and the location where the spot was yesterday looks normal. The spot is about the size of his eye, maybe a center meter round.
Any ideas?

Thanks

 

[ThRoewer]

A clear picture of the spot would be required for a proper diagnose, but the fact that it moved could indicate a parasitic flatworm or crustacean. Is the spot raised?

 

[oldpaddy]

A clear picture of the spot would be required for a proper diagnose, but the fact that it moved could indicate a parasitic flatworm or crustacean. Is the spot raised?

Unfortunately I can't take a good picture with my phone, and I'm using the Web based version through my phone and the pictures don't upload right.

The spot is not raised that I can tell. It's almost completely flat.

 

[lespaul339]

the fact that it moved could indicate a parasitic flatworm or crustacean.

My initial thoughts too.

 

[oldpaddy]

Good morning, the spot has turned into two connecting white spots with black middles. One white spot is slightly larger than the other one. Ugh...

 

[oldpaddy]

So the spots have just about disappeared. BUT now at least two of my fish, including the white cheek tang, have a white thing hanging off one eye each.

 

[ThRoewer]

It is impossible to diagnose this correctly without a picture, but if your description is accurate it sounds like some flatworm or other rather mobile parasitic organism.

If you can catch one of the affected fish I would give him a freshwater bath to see if the white spot comes off - usually the case with flatworms. Crustacean may hold on or jump ship, depending on which species they are.

 

[oldpaddy]

Thanks, I wish I could catch the fish. It's a 220gal with a lot of live rock and corals. I'd have to break down the tank to catch them. I have a hard enough time catching fish in an empty 30gal tank, never mind a 220gal tank with rock.

I've noticed my target mandarin hasn't moved much in days and it appears he has white stuff on his mouth. He's usually very active and constantly eating.

 

[ThRoewer]

Get a trap - it will work with nearly all fish, though lots of patience may be required to get the fish you want.

 

[oldpaddy]

Hi all, I just wanted to give an update to close out the thread. The white cheek tang has recovered. The spots and eye gunk is gone and he's eating, but he's covered in ich now. Though I'm not concerned since all my tangs go through the occasional bout of ich. The coral Beauty still has the eye gunk, but he appears to be doing fine. The target mandarin just started swimming around and eating again.
Thanks for everyone's input!