New Doliatus Rabbitfish with some problems (?)

[karid]

I just got a Doliatus (Scribbled) rabbitfish from a fellow reefer in town. I met the person somewhere and got the fish in a bag - he was all in his stressed out colors. I got him home and in the tank and he felt immediately much better. Colors returned to normal and he was investigating his new home. He's been eating fine and is acting fine.

However, it doesn't look like he was in the best of shape (a little skinny, some scratches on the side, torn fin). I was hoping just some time and TLC would set him right, but I have a two concerns questions:

1. There were some white spots on him. I wasn't sure if the spots on his body were tiny bubbles, scratches, or ich (at least a combination of scratches and bubbles, but I do not have a clear picture of what Ich should look like). I hope it isn't ich. I also noticed his mouth has white stuff all over it. But I don't know if they are scratches or ich. He also swims right up to my two cleaner shrimp, stays still and opens his mouth real wide. Obviously wanting to be cleaned, but my dumb shrimp don't do anything so he swims away. Does this look like ich to anyone who knows what it looks like - or just scratches?

2. His eyes look like they have an irridescent film on them (see pic above and below). I've seen a few threads mention cloudy eyes, but no response or pics. Is this what you mean? Is this common with rabbits or a disease?

Thanks!!

 

[TerryB]

The eyes look normal for members of the rabbitfish family to me. I don't see ich in the photos, other than possibly on the back fin (top in the last photo. Ich looks like salt has been sprinkled on the fish. Do you quarantine? It is not unusual for fish to be injured during capture and transport, especially when they are caught in a net. Keep an eye on the fish and keep it is a Qtank.

Terry B

 

[karid]

Good to know about the eye! Too bad though - it looks kind of creepy. I'm glad you don't see ich. I'll watch that spot on his back. See if it is still there tomorrow.

I did not QT him. I assumed (and we all know what that makes) that since it was coming from a local reefer from our local chapter that he would be healthy - or he would have disclosed the possibility of the fish not being healthy. I don't think I can catch him w/out injuring him and making things worse - so I'll keep an eye on him and hope that he just needs some time.