fuzzy white patches on butterflys fins

OARrocks · 06/04/2007, 01:18 PM

the link under disease treatment isnt working so i figured i would ask here, anyone know what this is and how to treat it.

he was introduced about a week ago and may have gotten a few nips from my cherub angel, although i didnt notice any damage at first progressively these white patches have grown.

thanks for any help

karlmarx · 06/04/2007, 01:47 PM

sounds like ich

chaseracing · 06/04/2007, 01:56 PM

Fuzzy white typically means ich. If so......go out and buy several cleaner shrimp tonight. If you wait for more than a few days the parasite will get "into" the fish and kill it from the inside. You might be able to catch it early and have the ich picked off of the fish before the damage is done.

I just battled this and it sucks.

-=E=-

OARrocks · 06/04/2007, 03:02 PM

i have a cleaner shrimp and hes new and he wont clean the butterfly no matter how long my butterfly sits in front of him.

ive seen ich before (which was usually a whole bunch of white spots) but there is just two patches on each fin that have grown over the last couple days.

Porkibear · 06/04/2007, 03:06 PM

You could try a fresh-water dip on your butterfly...sounds like ich to me. Pictures would help.

Hormigaquatica · 06/04/2007, 03:14 PM

Fuzzy patches typically are Not ich. Ich looks more like small spots scattered across the fins and/or body.

Do the patches look like they are flat, but discolored white/gray, or are they actually noticeably raised above, or trailing, the fins? If they are raised, are they like small clumps- looking somewhat like small cauliflower bundles, or more like cottony threads?

If its more of a cottony look, you probably have a bacterial infection going on; it may have originated with the bite marks, might not. Doesnt really matter (as long as the other fish has stopped harassing him, and your water quality is excellent). If that is the case, you may want to QT the fish and run it through a round of antibiotics before it has a chance to spread much more (especially since this is a butterfly, as they arent as sturdy with infections as some other fish are).

If it looks more like the little rough knobs, it may be lymphocystis (Im sure its spelled wrong.. whatever...). If thats the case, there isnt a ton you can do about it, other than make sure the water chemistry is in good shape, and that the fish is eating a proper, varied diet. The good new is that this disease isnt generally fatal- it develops, runs its course, and disappears, as long as the fish is healthy otherwise. If it starts to spread to the mouth or gills though, its not likely to recover. You can attempt to cut the nodes off, but thats risky all on its own.

frederickk · 06/08/2007, 07:25 PM

any pic?

06/04/2007, 01:18 PM	#1
OARrocks Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 393	fuzzy white patches on butterflys fins the link under disease treatment isnt working so i figured i would ask here, anyone know what this is and how to treat it. he was introduced about a week ago and may have gotten a few nips from my cherub angel, although i didnt notice any damage at first progressively these white patches have grown. thanks for any help

06/04/2007, 01:56 PM	#3
chaseracing Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Bartlett, IL Posts: 1,208	Fuzzy white typically means ich. If so......go out and buy several cleaner shrimp tonight. If you wait for more than a few days the parasite will get "into" the fish and kill it from the inside. You might be able to catch it early and have the ich picked off of the fish before the damage is done. I just battled this and it sucks. -=E=- __________________ I want my dog's life. Current Tank Info: 150gal RR Oceanic - (3) 250w. ReefLux 12K, (2) 96w PC 50/50, (3) Tunze 6025 modded, (3) Tunze 6045's, ASM G3, MRC-1, Melev F sump/fuge, all run off of an Aquacontroller Jr. Mixed Reef w/ lots of Fish and not enough rock.

06/04/2007, 03:14 PM	#6
Hormigaquatica Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 3,022	Fuzzy patches typically are Not ich. Ich looks more like small spots scattered across the fins and/or body. Do the patches look like they are flat, but discolored white/gray, or are they actually noticeably raised above, or trailing, the fins? If they are raised, are they like small clumps- looking somewhat like small cauliflower bundles, or more like cottony threads? If its more of a cottony look, you probably have a bacterial infection going on; it may have originated with the bite marks, might not. Doesnt really matter (as long as the other fish has stopped harassing him, and your water quality is excellent). If that is the case, you may want to QT the fish and run it through a round of antibiotics before it has a chance to spread much more (especially since this is a butterfly, as they arent as sturdy with infections as some other fish are). If it looks more like the little rough knobs, it may be lymphocystis (Im sure its spelled wrong.. whatever...). If thats the case, there isnt a ton you can do about it, other than make sure the water chemistry is in good shape, and that the fish is eating a proper, varied diet. The good new is that this disease isnt generally fatal- it develops, runs its course, and disappears, as long as the fish is healthy otherwise. If it starts to spread to the mouth or gills though, its not likely to recover. You can attempt to cut the nodes off, but thats risky all on its own. __________________ Reaching up and reaching out and reaching for the random, or whatever will bewilder me. Have Some Personal Accountability Current Tank Info: 240g LPS/Softie Reef

06/04/2007, 01:47 PM	#2
karlmarx Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 476	sounds like ich

06/04/2007, 03:02 PM	#4
OARrocks Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 393	i have a cleaner shrimp and hes new and he wont clean the butterfly no matter how long my butterfly sits in front of him. ive seen ich before (which was usually a whole bunch of white spots) but there is just two patches on each fin that have grown over the last couple days.

06/04/2007, 03:06 PM	#5
Porkibear Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Orange County Posts: 186	You could try a fresh-water dip on your butterfly...sounds like ich to me. Pictures would help.

06/08/2007, 07:25 PM	#7
frederickk Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 2,712	any pic?