Tiny black specs on tail of new Butterfly

[OneArmedBandit]

I picked up a Pearlscale Butterfly a week ago, brought it home and put it in QT mainly to make sure it eats well before adding it to my display. The other day I noticed that there are 4 or 5 tiny black specs on it's tail in the orange coloring. Is this something I should be concerned about? It's eating Brine shrimp like a pig and it's starting to go for Mysis so I was planning on putting it in the display within a week or so if the black specs aren't significant. Thanks for all your help. -Steve

 

[OneArmedBandit]

Anyone have an idea? I was told to treat this fish with formalin and have done so for a while but there are still a couple of specks of black visible. -Steve

 

[JHemdal]

Steve,

Can you post a picture? It may be a turbellarian infection. High dose formalin dips are one way to control this, but in some aquariums, the disease is self-limiting (goes away on its own). You could try running a search for Paravortex.

Jay Hemdal

 

[OneArmedBandit]

Here's a pic...

 

[JHemdal]

I wouldn't worry about that too much - however, if the fish is in a stable quarantine tank, I would hold it there for six weeks.

Jay

 

[OneArmedBandit]

Thanks for the help. -Steve