Tiny Black Dots

[roscoe ii]

Any idea on what could be on my yellow tang. I have noticed tiny black dots much like pepper on both sides of its body. They look slightly raised
Thanks

 

[bang guy]

It might be a Scale Fluke called Black Ick. This is mostly harmless unless it's allowed to gro out of control. It's probably the only parasite that can actually be eliminated by Cleaner Shrimp.

 

[roscoe ii]

After I posted my question I found other posts regarding what I think is the same thing. Any cause for alarm? Should I QT the fish and treat and if so how. Or keep water clean and it will subside on it's own. I do have a banded shrimp and the tang does approach several times while I watch but....the shrimp does not seem to care much.

 

[beth]

It does sound like Black Ich but I wouldn't take it lightly. No, it doesn't kill as quickly as Ich [white spot], but in a closed system [aquaria] it proliferates rapidly and can become a serious problem.
The best thing you can do is formalin bathes for all infected fish. The parasite is easily seen on light fish [yellow tang] but it can certainly infect other fish as well and go unnoticed due to darker coloration of fish. I suggest using a magnifying glass and giving all your fish the once over for a few days to see if you see any other fish with the infection.
The procedure for formalin bathes is listed in the FAQ Thread.
Also, by chance, do you have a pic of the infected tang?

 

[roscoe ii]

Actually the same tang in my Averon. Can't get close enough to show dots.
Thanks for reply. Any thoughts on QT thread I just posted?

 

[roscoe ii]

Sorry Avatar. It's late and very little sleep last night (maybe 3 hours).

 

[beth]

YOu can certainly place the fish in a QT. You will need to remove the fish for each treatment with formalin [as prescribed in the post on formalin bathes in the FAQ Thread].
It will make it easier on you and fish, if the tang was in a QT. However, if you don't have a cycled QT, it will be a chore to keep good water conditions in an uncycled QT.