White Area

[salvatore]

My domino damsel has developed a white area on him within the last two-three days. Not spots, just a white-ish area. It starts on his side just after the ventral fin and before the tail; about a quarter inch from the top of his body. It wraps under his belly and continues to the opposite side; its not completely symmetrical, but close. Its not all white, just less-black than the rest of him.
Ive read ich described as 'white spots' all over the body, and increased respiration and erratic behaviour, none of which really applies to him. He's not breathing rapidly and isnt swimming abnormally.
Im not sure what tank-info is needed, so here's all of it.
110gal FOWLR
Cycle began on 04.09.2002 and has not completed.
31lbs of live rock
3" sand bed
Two blue devil, one four-stripe, and one domino damsel.
20 blue-leg hermits
4 scarlet hermits
10 black turbo snails
5 turbo snails
blue starfish
kenya starfish
sand sifting starfish
Water readings as of 05.05.2002:
Ammonia 0.0
Nitrite 0.25
Nitrate 20
pH 8.2
None of the inhabitants are acting strangely, and the domino is the only one with physical symptoms.
Im about two months old with this, so any help is appreciated. Pictures are on the website.

 

[salvatore]

The nitrites were late in developing I think. Here's their breakdown:
4/9/2002 Nitrite 0.00ppm
4/12/2002 Nitrite 0.00ppm
4/14/2002 Nitrite 0.25ppm
4/17/2002 Nitrite 0.25ppm
4/21/2002 Nitrite 0.50ppm
4/23/2002 Nitrite 2.00ppm
4/27/2002 Nitrite 4.00ppm
5/1/2002 Nitrite 1.50ppm
5/5/2002 Nitrite 0.25ppm
The levels have yet to drop to all zero so the tank has not completed it cycle. 16 (very small) hermits were added on 04.22.2002 and no bioload has been added since.

 

[salvatore]

So you're saying this might be a stress reaction to the prolonged elevated nitrite levels? The highest level was nine days ago and looks like it came down quickly...
Very interesting...thanks for your attention this morning, Ed.
Lots to learn.