White spots, ID needed

[pontech]

Well, went to a friends house to help ID his new Tang, it was purchased as a Chocolate Tang did a quick search for it and could not find it, anyway I noticed the white flaky spots on its head and side and thought infection, anyone know what this is (Fish/spots). The spots developed a week after 1 month QT and my friends starting to panic.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/132/421759121_63d6c41f97_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/126/421759118_b7019d40b0_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/172/421759096_626362b760_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/169/421759045_0b3f072b5c_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/175/421759028_a0a7b66b75_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/124/421759008_8349c73fdc_b.jpg

 

[TerryB]

Does not look like ich. It does look like some sort of fluke or parasite. I would suggest a formalin or a freshwater dip, but that is not a good idea because of the large open wound on the side of the fish. I would treat the fish in quarantine with hyposalinity. This can kill some types of parasites without putting the fish at risk. You may need to use an antibiotic also. Nitrofurazone would be my first choice since it has some anti-parasitic action along with being a good antibiotic. No quick cures or reef safe treatment is going to help.

I hope they keep a cycled Qtank up and running. Dealing with ammonia in an un-cycled tank is going to be a major problem. You can use one of the antibiotics that I suggested for 3 days and then start using Polyfilter by Poly Bio Marine. It is a chemical filtration pad that will remove meds and some ammonia. One advantage to hypo is that you can use carbon and other filters with it. You should use an accurate refractometer and check the pH daily in hypo.

Terry B

 

[pontech]

This morning I called to check on my friends Tang and pass along the advise that was given here, well my friend has given up on the Tang and asked me to care for it because she was going out of town for a few days, should I accept this injured Tang and try to nurse it back to health, I have a QT tank but don't have any experience with Tangs how safe is an antibiotic for a Tang, I know that they have some helpful bacteria in their systems to help with digestion. Any advise appreciated

P.S I have a 37gal QT tank would that work for a Tang

 

[TerryB]

Moving the fish will not make things better for it. It is already weak. If the alternative is doing nothing, then my previous advice still stands.

Terry B