Please help Clown with White spots

[ReefArtist]

Hello,
I have 2 clowns that I purchased last Saturday (10/14) and on Monday I noticed small white spots on both of the clowns. One of the clowns the spot seems to be the same but the other one it has enlarged and there are a few more spots. The spots are raised and white in color. They are eating great and acting normal.

They are in my QT tank which has the following parameters:
10 gallon Bare Bottom
Foam filter from main tank (Bio - I keep 3 in refuguim at all times)
Small Pump for water flow
SG - 1.026
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate â€"œ 0
I have been treating them with Copper and formalin because I thought it was Ick, but now I really don’t think that’s what it is. I’m new to saltwater so I’m not sure how to treat these little guys.
Thank you very much!

 

[billsreef]

It's not ich. Are you sure the spots are raised? The photo looks more like the skin is eroded vs. a raised spot on the skin.

 

[ReefArtist]

Hi Bill,
I checked again and it is definitely raised. That is what caught my eye first - one of them was turned and I noticed the raised area. What is strange is that they are active, acting normal, eating and look health except for the spots.

 

[billsreef]

What's the resolution on the original photo's before you resized them to post? If the original files are big enough to support blowing up and enhancing in photoshop, send them to me at billsreef@reefcentral.com and I'll see if I can get a good idea from them.

 

[ReefArtist]

Hi Bill,
The resolution was 300 and I cropped it and zoomed in using Photoshop. I'll send them to you and see if you get the photo to come in any better. I did re-visit my LFS and they had me start Maracyn-two and some food for bacteria infections. I'll see if I can get a side picture to show the raised area.

 

[billsreef]

That side shot does indeed show that it's raised, pretty substantially at that. The shots aren't quite clear enough for me to positively ID what's going on, but my impression from looking at the photo's is to continue the copper, cut out the formalin, and use the Maracyn II in conjunction with the copper. If those spots don't start shrinking in about 2 or 3 days, switch antibiotics to nitrofuran.

 

[ReefArtist]

Thanks Bill, I'll go ahead and order the nitrofuran to have it on hand - better safe than sorry. Thanks for all your help. I'll post in a few days to let you know how they are doing.

 

[billsreef]

When you get the nitrofuran, keep it in a dark cool place for storage. Actually that goes for most any antibiotic

BTW I took look at your website, you do great work :thumbsup:

 

[ReefArtist]

Thanks Bill that's very nice of you to say I'll make sure I'll keep my antibiotic is a dark/dry and cool place.

Thanks,
Carol