Dragonet has large white Spots

[butterfly_babe4200]

:?: ok all of a sudden my Mandarin dragonet has developed largeish white spots (not like ick) What is going on and how do I make it stop! I love this fish!!!

[butterfly_babe4200]

OK does no one know? I still have no replys. HELP!!!!! It is acting fine and eating. Still is fat as normal but wierd white spots on only 2 fins. what is going on?

[dsfdbutterfly]

My friends Chevron Tang is doing the same thing. If your fish is still eating and no one can give you any clues then I wouldn't try anything drastic. A fresh water dip may be in order if it is a parasite. If it's not ich or marine velvet then I don't know that there is any way that you can treat the fish medically. I hope you get an idea, I will keep watch for my friend also. i hope your fish makes it and that it's just one of those things that pops up and then disappears just as quickly. Keep us posted.

Angie

[JustDavidP]

Mandarins are pretty much safe from ich and velvet and such. They have a heavy mucous on their bodies that keeps those parasites at bay. Are you sure that it is ANYTHING at all? The reason I ask is that mandarins are notorious for 'snicking' foods (very much like seahorses) and expelling sand and other junk out of their gills. This stuff sometimes sticks on that mucous coat and looks like trouble, when, in fact, it is nothing at all.

Finally, mandarins that are picked on (nipped) show similar spots. It is a mix of the healing process and that same mucous that makes a film looking spot on them. It kind of looks like Elmers Glue that hasn't dried.

As Angie said. Unless you see serious stress or other indications of trouble, I'd just ensure that the water quality is good, that the fish is eating and acting properly, and monitor the tank to ensure nobody is picking on him.

Dave

[butterfly_babe4200]

Thanks I will continue to watch him. I am just worried.

[JustDavidP]

I don't blame you. My mandarin, Hendrix, is my favorite fish too!



Just keep an eye on him and let us know if you have any other issues/concerns.

Dave

[butterfly_babe4200]

Great pic!!!

[xltom]

My mandarin has had the same white spots since shortly after I got it. It doesn't look like a parasite, it looks like loss of pigment. The spots seem to move around and they go away at times. I think it may be stress related. There is a lot of flow in my setup and even though there's a ton of pods in my fuge, I'm not sure he's eating well. No one's posted on this thread for a while so I'm assuming that your dragonet is fine now? Just thought I'd chime in since this is the only thread I could find on the subject. Thanks...xltom