White spots were on Clown then disappeared. What happened?

[jap1]

I finally got my first fish last night. A breeding pair of percula clowns. My parameters have all been good. I've seen these at the LFS for about a month now and they've had no health problems. I slow dripped to acclimate him and even had the lights out. This morning there was a whole bunch of white junk floating around the tank and my little male clown had little white spots all over him. That was around 7 this morning. Then I came home around 1 this afternoon and the tank AND the fish have completely cleared up. No spots what so ever. He never acted sick at all, even this morning. The fish have looked pretty happy the whole time. Does anyone know what the deal was with these spots and the junk all over the tank? I wouldn't think it was Ich since it all cleared up within a day.

 

[EdKruzel]

Parasites can infect and then jump off to breed, however more than likely your new fish was a bit stressed from the move and excreted a little extra body mucus; during the scouting of its new home small particles of debris or sand stuck to it and later fell off.

Just feed it well and keep the water quality good.

Ed

 

[jap1]

The mucus thing makes since. He seems perfectly healthy now. Thanks for the help.

 

[douglasnj]

White spots in the early morning, then gone in a few hours. I had the same problem for about a week, before it withered away and died. All others fine.

 

[jap1]

Your fish died? Or the spots?

 

[dchao]

Percula Clowns - are they tank-breed or wild-caught?

If wild-caught, they sometimes could have internal parasite. I always threat wild-caught clowns with metronidazole in QT. Very easy to use, mix the med with food and feed to the clowns.

 

[douglasnj]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6501661#post6501661 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jap1
Your fish died? Or the spots?

The fish died. First loss Ive had in year or longer.

 

[jap1]

Oh no. I hope it's not the same thing. My clowns are wild-caught and MAC certified I believe. They've been very healthy at the LFS for about a month now and I've never had any other fish in my tank. Maybe there was something nasty with my LR and LS. I wonder if I should start treating them with that metronidazole. I am doing a water change today so maybe that will help them out somehow. Do I buy the medicine at a LFS or would I get that at a vet. I really don't want to lose this fish. The pair seems so happy together.

 

[EdKruzel]

Don't get crazy and add medication yet; if they appear healthy and are eating, keep up the good husbandry methods and nutritious foods and enjoy them.

Ed

 

[jap1]

Definately. I'll stay away from additives as much as possible. Should I only medicate if they start doing really poorly? When would it be too late?

 

[EdKruzel]

In the case of infected or diseased fish, you should keep a spare 5gal tank or rubbermaid container with an air driven sponge filter, heater and a length of PVC or small clay pot.
In larger systems with a sump, many hobbyists run a sponge filter so that it is laden with beneficial bacteria.
Take it from the sump and place into the quarantine tank as ready made biological filtration.

Should the need arise, using tank water, fill the quarantine tank and replace the water in the main system with new salt water.

Place the fish in the "Q" tank and treat as directed while monitoring daily for ammonia.
Frequent water changes are a must so as to keep the water from spiking.

After however many weeks of treatment, return the new healthy fish to the main tank and discard the sponge. Rinse the other objects in a mild bleach solution, rinse again in clean water, dry and put away for the next emergency (hopefully not needed again).

Ed