Yellow Tang

[xplorepa]

Hello, I have a yellow tang in quarantine, tomorrow will be 16 days and I was going to add him to the main tank. Well, when I fed him today I turned the tank pumps off and when the water was still, I noticed what looked like a few specs of dust that were swimming around.
It was almost like they were moving with tiny tails but they were so small it was hard to tell. At first I thought that's interesting, then I thought oh no ich has a free swimming form. I have not noticed any white spots on the fish and it seems to be doing well. So I really tried to look him over closely and he does have a few tiny bumps on both sides of his body towards his tail end they are yellow the same as the rest of his body. I was wondering if this is normal and if anyone knows what these swimmers may be? Would it be OK to still introduce this guy to my main tank tomorrow?

 

[RBU1]

Not sure what the bumps are you are refering to. If they are the white scaples then you are fine.

Did you treat this fish with anything?

 

[xplorepa]

I did not treat him with anything as he appears healthy. The bumps are farther forward then the scalpels and much smaller you have to look very close to see them. I'm wondering if anyone else with a Yellow Tang notices anything like this when they look very close at their Tang or should its sides look totally smooth even under close inspection?

 

[RBU1]

Mine looks smooth....I think if it were me I would be treating the fish in copper for 4 weeks. I prefer cupramine kept at a level of .5. Not worth the risk in my opinion especially if your not sure.

 

[xplorepa]

I think I'll take that advice. Do you quarantine all your fish for 4 weeks in treated water even if they are showing no signs of illness? I have read that copper can be a little harder on tangs then some other fish.

 

[RBU1]

I think I'll take that advice. Do you quarantine all your fish for 4 weeks in treated water even if they are showing no signs of illness? I have read that copper can be a little harder on tangs then some other fish.

Yes I treat all my fish in copper (Cupramine) for 4 weeks at .5 then they go in my display tank.