Mandarin with white fungus on back

[javajoe]

The LFS has a mandarin with a white 'fungus' growing on the center of its back. its about the size of a dime. any idea what this could be?
I am thinking of taking it home and trying to treat it in my hospital tank-- the LFS guy knows us real well, and im sure he'll give it to me to take care of, but i am wondering if anyone has any ideas what this could be, and if so, the best way to deal with it.
The store closes at 5pm Eastern daylight time, so i have about an hour and a half to decide, or wait untill they open at noon on tuesday...

 

[bang guy]

I would avoid that fish completely. It's probably just a bacterial infection but there are worse things it could be.

 

[stacyt]

I would go ahead and try to rescue the fish myself. Maybe something that needs to be treated with Maracyn. Not really sure, but better to try then have to wait until Tuesday. No telling whether the fish would live that long without some type of treatment. I would just pickup some meds like formalin and maracyn to have on hand. I'm sure that the others will be more help than myself in determining the disease and treatment.

 

[javajoe]

THanks for the help guysd, but I just got off the phone with the LFS and he died over night, so i guess i was too late
Unless someone has some of those litlle paddles....... CLEAR!

 

[bang guy]

Well Joe, skin disorders on Mandarins are pretty rare because of the toxcicity of the skin, but amyloodium is not unheard of. It's a good thing you didn't have it in your display tank because amyloodium can wipe out fish in less than a week.

 

[javajoe]

Yeah, i would not have put it in my main tank, i just wanted to get it into our hospital tank and see if i could cure it...

 

[beth]

I have seen mandarins with a grey-white film on them...[not fungus, which is rare in marine fish]. This is usually a bacterial infection.
With this fish's particular dietary limitations, it is very hard to keep this fish healthy at a LFS display or, even in standard QT. The fish likely succumbed to nutritional deficits, thus opening the doors to opportunistic bacteria.

 

[clarkiiboi]

Sad to hear Javajoe, if you dont mind take a look at my post here about 3 days ago, about a coral beauty, I too have some kind of white spot (infection, description is in that post) I was hoping it may be the same thing and maybe your LFS knew what it was that the mandarian had. (if they are the same). Thanks.