Parasite on Blue Hippo Tang (not ich, video included)

[ryan1985]

Hi all. I have a 76g half circle tank with approximately 60 pounds of live rock. I do weekly 10-15% water changes with RO/DI water.

I recently noticed a parasite on my Hippo Tang. It's difficult to get it to show up in a photo (I have a crappy camera), so I've taken a video below:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/o1cs6GdhR1U" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

It's basically a half a dozen white "œthings" that are similar to the diameter and length of a grain of rice. They appear to be in sporadic locations of his body, protruding outward. 1 near the mouth, 1 in the middle of his body, etc. I'm unsure if these are protruding from inside his body, or if they're hitchhiking on the outside of his body. My other fish (including 2 other tangs) do not appear to have this parasite.

I've seen ich before (I have 3 tangs) and I am pretty sure I can safely say this is not ich since it's much bigger. Haven't noticed the Hippo scratching himself or any of the other characteristics of ich contamination.

I do have a Coral Banded cleaner shrimp, but haven't noticed him cleaning the Hippo...I've actually only witnessed him cleaning my Yellow.

I haven't dosed with any meds or anything like that. I feed Formula 2 Flake Food and Dried Nori Sheets daily.

As far as recent tank changes, I did swap out my sandbed approximately 2 months ago, as well as a new Skimmer, and new powerheads. Also added a bunch of macro/chaeto to my sump and a couple of small frags. Perhaps the sandbed swap created a new cycle (although all my other fish + corals + inverts seem fine). Here are my parameters:

Temp: 77-79
Salinity: 1.025
Nitrites: 0
Ammonia: 0
Nitrates: 5ppm or less

I've never tested for Alk or Phosphates"¦ I use to drive myself crazy testing my water, but after my livestock seemed to be thriving, I decided to no longer beat myself up over water tests. Guess it might be a good time to see where my Alk and Phosphates are at just in case?

The Hippo is still eating normally, so I'm hoping it's something that will pass, but wanted to check in about any precautions I should be taking. I've read about doing a big water change (to remove excess nutrients), doing a small water change (to not further stress the Hippo), dosing with various medications (something I like to avoid), doing a fresh water dip (also something I'd like to avoid) as well as using garlic to supplement feedings. My instinct is telling me to do a bigger water change (35ish gallons) and go with the garlic.

Any thoughts/tips? Also, not to be a jerk, but I'm specifically interested in people who have personally dealt with this and not necessarily people who have "œheard" to do this or that "“ thanks!

 

[MrTuskfish]

Garlic and WCs are not instant miracle workers. I can't tell from the video; it sounds like it could be lymphocystis. This is a fairly harmless virus that usually disappears with pristine water and a good diet. If the growths are staying in the same place for several days, it probably isn't one of the dangerous parasites. If they come and go, you have a parasite problem.
I have dealt with lympho, I guess this qualifies me to answer; based on the criteria in your last paragraph. I would expect you to get many comments about all of those tangs in such a small tank. Tangs are tough fish; they may live, but never thrive long-term in a tank that does't have nearly enough swimming room. That statement is based on experience and reading any decent book on our hobby. I think that qualifies me to comment in this area too.

 

[ryan1985]

Thanks for your reply, I appreciate the insight.

Also, not sure if you were picking at the "criteria" comment in my last paragraph, but it wasn't meant to be anything personal. Maybe I was out of line. When I first got into the hobby a couple years ago, I would occasionally burn myself out diagnosing problems based on forum members who were probably just as under-qualified as I was! Probably my fault for assuming everyone on a public forum is a marine biologist

 

[MrTuskfish]

Yeah, I was picking at the criteria. I do understand your point; but this is a forum. A forum is a free and unhindered exchange of ideas, experiences, and opinions. I think anyone can post anywhere, on any topic....as long as its civil. The original poster can weed out whatever he/she (who says I can't be PC?). There are many folks who do a ton of research and can have valuable insight without having actually experienced whatever the topic is. On the other hand; many folks have had real experience with various disasters and yet remain totally clueless.

No big deal though, I'm on another post-Packer win buzz and needed to burn off the excess ; sarcasm always helps me do that. Now, I'll start calling all of my Bear fans / friends in the Chicago area and remind them that the Pack has now won 6 Packer-Bear games in a row.

A little more on-topic: does it look like lympho to you? Lympho is usually bumpy; like miniature cauliflower or cottage cheese.

 

[Mrscribbled]

Possibly tremodites. A form of flukes. Does not look like lympho to me. Tough to tell with only a split second chance to look. Let us know its fall off stay on cycle if any.