New Mandarin - Marine Ich or Sand?

[mpagri]

I just bought this little guy today, I am pretty sure he looked fine in the store, about 4 hours after having him in the tank he looks like this, little white particles all over him, all the other fish are fine and have been since the tank was setup (2-3 years ago).

sorry for the poor photos..

obviously hes a sand dwelling fish, his fins have sand on them, but i don't think all those white spots should be all over his head... what do you guys think?

 

[mpagri]

I think its dust and sand off the rocks. the amount he has all over him, if it was ich, he would probably not be going around eating pods as happy as he is. plus there's no way it would have spread that quickly when he was fine in the store.

 

[klepto]

Cool looking Synchiropus splendidus!

I could be very wrong, but i believe that Mandarinfish are resistant to ich because of their extremely thick slime coat.
see this article if you havent already:
http://www.reefcentral.com/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=3

My S. picturatus had a strange tear in it's side after a horrible shipping experience, but recovered quickly! Give it some time to settle in and keep up on your husbandry.

Hopefully things will turn around for your little female (someone correct me if im wrong, but i believe the males have a much longer dorsal fin/sail.)

How big is your tank and how much rock do you have in it? how often are you doing water changes? some more info would be very helpful.

 

[suta4242]

Sorry I can't see your photos and it may well be sand.

But I'd just like to point out that mandarins can and do get MI. Sure it may be unusual but I've seen it happen.

Friends of mine lost their mandarin pair when other fish came down with crypt in their tank. They wouldn't treat the mandarins because they honestly believed these fish couldn't contract the disease. The pair died.


cheers

 

[mpagri]

mine was definitely just sand, i realized that the mandarin sifts mouth fulls of sediment through its mouth and out its gills and therefore particles end up all over her back. they eventually get shaken off.

on another note, i had some luck last night getting her to eat live brine shrimp in a "feeding station" (glass bottle in tank - more info can be found quickly on google). i want to try to eventually ween her onto frozen mysis.

*edited to correct gender (thanks klepto)

 

[klepto]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14270244#post14270244 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mpagri
mine was definitely just sand, i realized that the mandarin sifts mouth fulls of sediment through its mouth and out its gills and therefore particles end up all over her back. they eventually get shaken off.

on another note, i had some luck last night getting her to eat live brine shrimp in a "feeding station" (glass bottle in tank - more info can be found quickly on google). i want to try to eventually ween her onto frozen mysis.

*edited to correct gender (thanks klepto)

no worries..

good point about the sand getting shot through their gills-

I have also watched my S. picturatus 'whip' up the sand- turning on its side and wafting the tail fin into the sand repeatedly (im guessing it is trying to spook some pods out of hiding.. anyone else observed this?

im glad to hear your mandy is doing fine! I LOVE these fish. something about their looks coupled with the timid temperament makes for a great reef inhabitant.

I have been lazy and haven't tried to set up a feeding station for mine- You have inspired me to give it a try! My little mandy would definitely benefit from some PE mysis..