White Blotches Kole tang

[Outerbank]

I bought this Kole tang Dec 21 and he has been in the QT since. I did tank transfer method and gave the tang a 30 minute "rid ich bath" between the first 2 tank transfers and 5 minute FW baths between the 3 and 4th transfer. I also did a FW bath when I brought the fish home. The fish tolerated the baths like a champ. I did not see anything drop off with the FW baths. I did the bath treatment as I suspected velvet. It stopped eating after 2 days treatment of copper so I opted to stop Cu and watch the fish. So the fish still has these very faint blotches on its side and I am not sure what to think of the blotches. They blend in very well and really are only visible if the fish is a little startled or afraid and lightens its colors. They were much more obvious when I bought the fish. I had preordered the fish and felt obligated to buy it. It was in a low dosed copper tank at the LFS for a week. Currently, the fish otherwise looks great, eats great, is pretty relaxed, and breathes normally. Within a couple days after buying the fish, it was breathing hard and swimming erratically (thus I suspected velvet at that time). I am considering trying copper again and see if it tolerates the full treatment. I am suspicious this is 1. possibly velvet which currently is not very symptomatic vs 2. possible skin healing from trauma or previous illness or 3. coloration changes during "emotional/behavioral" changes (many fish brighten when aggressive, pale when stressed, startled, or at night) or 4. something else.

You can see 3 circular blotches behind the pectoral fin.


Thanks, Scott

 

[Outerbank]

I reread my post and forgot to ask a question! Any ideas what this may be? Any treatment recommendations? I plan to keep him longer in QT for observation and possible treatment.

 

[julie180]

#3 Coloration/stress reaction.

 

[Deinonych]

#3 Coloration/stress reaction.

Agreed. If it is not exhibiting symptoms of velvet (heavy respiration, piping at surface, avoidance of light), you are likely out of the danger window. I would observe another week or two in QT just to be sure.

 

[FishN00b83]

I actually had the same thing with my kole. from what I researched it was a bacterial infection. I used a combo of kanaplex and metronidazole for 2 weeks and it went away. I have a old thread here about the whole thing.

after the rest of the QT time I put him in the DT. he was fine for a while, but every so often a little discoloration would happen for a few days then go away. recently it came back real hard an it passed away.

I was talking to one other person that had a similar situation and the same thing happened to him.

 

[rffanat1c]

My Kole died the same way. White spots like yours, slowly lost color, quit eating and died.

 

[DirtinLa]

Just curious, is this a petco fish... I have lost 2 of them to a baterial infection?

my LFS described it to me... the carcasses had a distinct metalic smell...

Never did figure out a treatmant and still don't have a kole eye

 

[Outerbank]

Not Petco.

Not Petco.

Not Petco. Independent local aquarium store. An otherwise healthy fish should shake a bacterial infection if it's improving.

 

[Outerbank]

Blotches still there, perhaps a little lighter and their visibility seem to come and go. The fish is behaving well. Still in the QT. I will likely transfer to main tank this Friday evening.

 

[Outerbank]

The white spots are still there but really faint. I added the fish to the DT 7 days ago and all is going well. It spent 48 days in the QT and I am grateful for all the advice here. All fish look good. FYI, the potters angel was the biggest jerk for about 36 hours. Everything is cool now.

 

[julie180]

Glad to hear all is well.

 

[thebigblue]

How's he doing now?

My White Tail Tang has the same thing. It's a new fish, introduced about 10 days ago. Parameters are good. Fish swims and picks on rocks/glass normally. Doesn't seem skinny.

I've not seen this fish eat anything I put in the tank. Selcon and Garlic soaked Mysis, Arctipods, Herbivore frozen blend, Rod's Reef Blend (various seaweed)

 

[Outerbank]

He is doing great. No problem.

Scott

How's he doing now?

My White Tail Tang has the same thing. It's a new fish, introduced about 10 days ago. Parameters are good. Fish swims and picks on rocks/glass normally. Doesn't seem skinny.

I've not seen this fish eat anything I put in the tank. Selcon and Garlic soaked Mysis, Arctipods, Herbivore frozen blend, Rod's Reef Blend (various seaweed)

 

[rssjsb]

I know I'm late to the thread, but my Kole used to get really scary looking blotches on it when it was stressed or feeling aggressive - like when it needed to teach a new fish who was boss. It looked worse than what you see in that first picture. If the spots aren't accompanied by raised scales or cotton, I wouldn't worry too much.

 

[jjbrayman]

Kole Tang White Blotches

Kole Tang White Blotches

My kole has the white blotches too. Not sure what is going on with him but the spots come and go. He eats krill, Mysis shrimp, other meaty mixtures, seaweed, etc. He eats off the rocks all of the time too. No issues at all. He's been in my tank for about 2 months now and the white blotches started about a month ago. Here's a pretty good photo. One on his gill an other on his top fin. Any ideas? All other 11 fish in my tank are just fine.