Tang has a mouth problem

[SaltyMember]

I have a mimic tang in quarantine for 3 weeks now and I noticed that this week his mouth appears to have a white growth at the lip area. It does not appear fuzzy or appear to be a fluke. It does not have any redness around it. He is eating fine with a good appetite. Sorry I don't have a pic. But what are the conditions that could cause something like this? What treatment if any should I be doing. Any help appreciated.

 

[chrissreef]

pic... though i think it's viral based on your description... you'd probably need to cut it off... but need a pic

 

[SaltyMember]

thanks for the reply.... I don't think I would be up to cutting anything off a fish. I will watch it and see if it changes in size.

 

[TerryB]

It may be lympocystis which is viral, but I would not cut it off. Watch for any changes and keep us informed.

Terry B

 

[SaltyMember]

update, i got a better look at the mouth growth and have decided it is some kind of isopod. It actually got bigger? and I can see a more definite shape to it.

But an even bigger problem now is that I my bluejaw trigger which is the sole inhabitant of my 125g at the moment has come down with ick. I quarantined him for 4 weeks prior to placement and he has been in the display tank for 4 weeks. I noticed the spots 2 days ago. Obviously, 4 weeks was not enough time for quarantine. I only have a 20long for quarantine and I decided to put the trigger in there with the tang and treat them both with copper/cupramine (ick for the trigger, isopod for tang). I know that it is not ideal to have them both in the same tank but I thought this would be the best way for me at this point.

 

[TerryB]

I would try a freshwater dip or formalin dip for the isopod first. The tang may not need other treatment although it might be wise to use an antibiotic once the isopod is gone, because the wound may get infected. It would be very stressful to the fish, but it is possible to remove it with tweezers. You just have to be very careful handling the fish and be careful not to cause more damage or rip out the tongue. If you do handle the fish then hold it in a soft wet towel.

Terry B

 

[SaltyMember]

thanks terry, I will try the freshwater dip for the tang and see what happens.

 

[SaltyMember]

update....did a freshwater dip, thing on mouth still there. Decided to go the copper route. Put the trigger in with the tang and have been doing copper 7 days now. The thing on the mouth is gone. The trigger still shows a couple spots of ich but both fish seem to be tolerating the tx well so far. I plan to do one more week of copper then I am going to water change the copper out of the tank and bring the tank down to hyposalinity for a few weeks while my DT remains fallow.