Nasol Path Dis F

FAQs about Naso lituratus Pathogenic Disease
(plus see Tangs/Rabbitfishes & Crypt),

FAQs on Lipstick Tang Disease: Lipstick Tang Disease 1, Lipstick Tang Disease 2, Lipstick Tang Disease 3, Lipstick Tang Disease 4, Lipstick Tang Disease ,
FAQs on Lipstick Tang Disease by Category: Diagnosis, Environmental, Nutritional, Social, Trauma, Genetic, Treatments

Surgeonfishes: Tangs for Marine Aquariums
Diversity, Selection & Care
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by Robert (Bob) Fenner

Naso tang disease question 1/25/16
Hi,
<A few hundred Kbytes of clear pix; better than 6.5 Megs....>
My Naso has been looking like this for about a week.
<Not good.... either excess body mucus (likely rather than pathogens) or a latent infestation at play here. What re water quality tests, the history of the set up, other livestock present. You know, data of use>
Just today he seems more lethargic and not really eating..... I do have ich in the tank
<Oh! Am reversing my opinion. This IS likely Crypt or other Protozoan>
but it is under control. Please let me know if you have any questions.
<Just the ones above.... Why such large files, lack of information.... Keep READING:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/crypttangs.htm
and the linked files above. Bob Fenner>
Thank you!

re: Naso tang disease question 1/25/16
Thank you! Were you able to see the pics?
<Yes>
Water quality is good.
<.... stop; subjective evaluations are of little use. NEED DATA>
All corals and other fish look fine. Hippo tang gets an ich spot here or there. Naso is still eating but with less enthusiasm..... I have encountered ich many times and this simply doesn't look like it......I was thinking velvet, is
that possible?
<READ where you've been referred to. BobF>

re: Naso tang disease question 1/26/16
Thanks.
Temp 78.6
Salinity 1.025
Nitrate 10 ppm
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Calcium 420
Alkalinity 8.4
Magnesium 1200
Ph 8.3
<These are good values en toto. Cheers, B>

16/02/10 Naso Tang disease
Hey guys
<Hello Antonis>
just found this Naso tang in one crappy LFS and I felt so sorry about him when I realised that the LFS didn't know what was wrong with it or how to treat it.
<Have you left this fish in the shop or taken it home? Never take sympathy on a fish, it just encourages shops to peddle bad specimens>
He told me I could have him for 15eur if I knew how to treat this poor fella and I so much want to rescue him if I can with your help of course! I don't know the guys parameters
<it would be very useful to find out>
but I know that the Tang has been this way for almost 2 weeks and these reddish/whitish ''wound'' marks have gotten bigger since he got him although he fed him at the time I was there and the Tang was eating like a pig. I hope you can help my when you look at the pics champs.
<Are these wounds or lumps? This looks like Lymphocystis to me, not particularly concerning. Read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/lymphfaqs.htm. Nothing you can do if it is, the fish should recover on it's own without medication if good care is taken of it>
Thank you very much,
<No problem>
I hope for your prompt reply, if you need anything else please just ask,
<Do let us know the water test results, with the fruits of your research into this>
Antonis
<Cheers, Simon>
Re: 16/02/10 Naso Tang disease
Thank you very much Simon for your prompt reply :o)
<No problem Antonis>
No of course I haven't taken it home with me it's still at the LFS. I just thought to take some action in order for this fella to recover because the man at the LFS is over 60 years old and I don't think he can use the internet.
<Heee! Like my mother in law!>
And yes these were lumps not wounds. The spots were growing on top of the surface of it's tail and the colour was mainly white with a bit pink/red in the middle as you can see from the pics and the white stuff's appearance was like fungus I think!
<Yes, this does sound like Lympho to me. Search re. and see if the images coming back match! Simon>

Re: 16/02/10 Naso Tang disease 2/16/10
<Hello Antonis>
I think so.
<Yes, me too>
Although most pics I can find the lumps are mostly white and not reddish like the Naso I showed you.
<They do go this pinkish colour sometimes>
Why is it getting bigger though? Poor water conditions?
<I do think it is related to poor water quality, as many things are. Improved conditions should see a halting and reversal of this. Simon>
Re: 16/02/10 Naso Tang disease
It can clear entirely Simon?
<Yes it can Antonis. Good luck>

Re: worm, Naso QT, Protozoan fecal presence 2/1/09 Thanks for the compliments! Coincidentally, I have a Naso tang in quarantine (for the past 4 weeks) that stopped eating today. I noticed white hard fecal matter and decided to look at that under a microscope. Well I saw (pics attached) of something, possibly parasitic. Could you help identify? <Mmm, other than appears Protistan/Protozoan, no... but could be a commensal...> The Naso appears to be behaving otherwise normally. The various pics are all pics of the same thing. Thanks again! <I would not be overly concerned re this... I would go ahead and place this Tang... as it is likely to decline in the present small QT, and unlikely to infest the DT. Bob Fenner>

Ciliates at 400 X

Re: worm 2/1/09 I'm a bit hesitant to put him in the DT b/c he did have Amyloodinium (verified microscopically). <Mmm... okay> Treated with Chloroquine diphosphate for 10 days. He's been doing well 4th day into treatment and been doing well for the last 8 day post treatment (so he's been doing well for 12 days) up until yesterday. Is it too soon to put him into DT? thanks <Given this further data/input, it is too soon. BobF>

Naso Tang - Possible Ich? 04/05/2008 Hey guys, how's it going. <<Hello, Andrew today>> I was just going through your website and trying to figure out just what's going on with my Naso Tang. I have had it for about a month and a half, and am keeping it in a 55 gallon tank (I didn't do my research prior to the purchase, but figured that I might keep it until there are size issues). Anyways, the other day I came home, and my roommate pointed out that there were white spots on the side of it. Immediately I feared Ich, given the white spots and horror stories that I've heard. But then under further research it seems unlikely that it could be Ich. I have not introduced anything new to the tank in quite some time, and it's behaviour seems to be quite normal. It's breathing is regular, and feeding is normal as well. The white spots are about 10 or so in number, and could be compared to the size of an uncooked grain of rice. They are also definitely beneath the skin. I've read that this is actually a characteristic of the tang, however I do not feel fully convinced that I should pass on treatments. So if there is any information you can offer me, or anything you can tell me to be keeping an eye out for, it would be much appreciated. <<Sounds like Ich to me, treat with hyposalinity. More can be read here including the linked articles and FAQ's http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ichart2mar.htm >> Thanks a lot, Anthony. <<Thanks for the questions, hope this helps. A Nixon>> <Mmm, much more likely embedded worms, possibly Microsporideans... Not really treatable nor too debilitating. But... this fish will likely perish in this too-small setting. RMF>
Re: Naso Tang - Possible Ich? 04/07/2008 They don't seem like the regular sort of spots that Ich produces. They're much bigger, and seem to come and go. Do you know anything about the Naso Tang having such spots on it? Is this a characteristic of the fish? And given that it has none of the other symptoms, and I haven't introduced any new livestock to the tank in quite some time, could Ich be eliminated as a possibility? Sorry if it seems like I am refuting your far more knowledgeable opinion, but I'm just looking to be convinced either way. Thanks again. <<It does sound like Ich to me as these are very prone to this parasite. Their body should be nice and smooth. Please do read more here. If you can provide a close up photograph of the spot(s), then that would great. http://www.wetwebmedia.com/naso.htm >> <<Thanks for the follow-up. A Nixon>>

Naso Tang behaviour... hlth. 12/11/07 Hi Bob, <Chris> I have a Naso Tang - apprx 5" for 3 months now. Feeding him different algae formulas blood worms and Mysis shrimp soaked in vitamins and garlic. Occasionally gave him lettuce <I wouldn't... no real food value, and too likely a source of unwanted nutrients added to your water> He was always fine and hungry --- 2 days ago he stopped moving around the tank (which he always did) and is sitting in the corner behind live rock. <A very bad sign> He does not eat any more and gets out only at night. He is getting skinnier. <Yikes> I have 155 gallon reef tank where he is the biggest fish (others are several clowns, 2 athias,3 fire fishes, 1 dragon goby,4 Chromis, 2 blood shrimp, Blue cheek trigger (very peaceful) <Maybe...> I have my own versions 1. I noticed that I have long worm in my aquarium (similar to tube worm) - could he harm fish? <Mmm, no> 2.Trigger is attacking Tang behind my back???(never noticed any tricks from him) <Possibly> 3. Something to do with water quality --- I had my nitrates in their 20 lately Best Regards Chris <I have another item to add... there is some good chance this fish has luminal problems... either a loss of useful organisms (like termites) or parasites there. I would treat the fish (perhaps in the main system in this case, circumstances) with a vermifuge and protozoacide (Prazi and Metronidazole). Please see WWM re their use. Bob Fenner>

Ich, another parasite, or stress??? I recently purchased a Naso tang that appears to Ich, but I'm not sure (I'm new to this). The Tang had a few white spots which now only really appear when the fish turns a darker shade of grey. What concerns me is that it now has some white patches on it, as if it has been scratching. I have started to treat it in a separate tank with Melafix and CopperSafe, I have also given it a fresh water dip. I have noticed that it has not eaten anything in several days. Is there anything else I can do? Thanks, Kyle <Maybe. I would lower the specific gravity and stop the Melafix. Please read over the Ich, treatment, tang, tank troubleshooting... sections of our site: www.WetWebMedia.com, starting here: http://wetwebmedia.com/tanktroubleshting.htm Bob Fenner>
Re: Ich, another parasite, or stress??? Thanks.....I am new to saltwater tanks and have been informing myself as quickly as possible through websites and local fish stores. Regretfully the Naso didn't make it and the specific gravity is really high, so I'm slowly going to lower that. Thanks for the help and all the info on the webpage. <Mmm, good to learn through as many inputs as practical... be chatting Bob Fenner>

Ich Life Cycle,,, adventures of Naso Hey Bob, I read about the Ich cycle a bit more and came across some info about the Cyst encased in gelatin stage.... <Yes> I believe I saw one a long time ago.... <Not visible to the "naked eye"> I thought that it was just mucus released by one of the corals.... So could this have been a Cyst at the bottom of my tank? It is/was about 1/2 an inch in diameter max. Is it safe to suck it out during a water change every time I see one? I have seen one on 2 separate occasions.... about 2 weeks ago and say 5 weeks ago....Knowledge.... there is no substitute..... Again your guidance is very appreciated, Robert PS. Do the cleaner shrimp eat Ich in the Tomite stage or cyst stage? <They consume the encysted stages minimally (and necrotic tissue, mucus...) on the fish hosts only. Bob Fenner>
Re: adventures of Naso DOH!!! <No more Simpson's for you> I am getting used to the type of contradictions.... I hate that I had to learn the hard way like most people. <Not necessary, as you know> Found this... they say not good for reefs.... I am still in your camp... they gave no reasons WHY!!! Hyposalinity- This treatment cannot be done in a reef tank with invertebrates, live sand or live rock. Hyposalinity is at 16ppt, is highly effective at eliminating Ich and surprisingly low stress. . This may be the best therapy as it is not a dip but rather a long-term bath that should last a minimum of three weeks. The treatment is more effective (although copper can be very effective) and less stressful than copper treatments. The only two disadvantages to using hyposalinity verses copper is an accurate hydrometer is need (or refractometer is even better) and you need to check the pH and alkalinity daily and add buffer as needed. Most hydrometers are inaccurate. You need one calibrated for reef temps and some large glass types are O.K. Stay away from plastic swing arm hydrometers they are not often accurate. Hyposalinity will NOT disrupt the biological filtration as long as the salinity is not lowered too abruptly. If you lower the salinity using two water changes a day for two days the bio-filter will be fine. The bacteria that perform biological filtration are the same in FW or SW all you have to do is acclimate them to the change When you are ready to introduce your fish raised the salinity back up to normal over the course of a few days to keep the fish from stressing from a quick change in salinity. <Some factual, other fictional material... Bob Fenner>

Black spot (markings on a Naso Tang) Bob, Just to confirm. I'm pasting your description below. Yesterday, we had what looked like tiny white spots that disappeared and moved around like bubbles just in front of the lower/ventral fin. Now it looks like a fine black powder on the ventral/bottom fin of our Naso tang. If this is "black spot" you suggest fresh water dip. It doesn't look like a worm (I think someone called it a small ciliated protozoan?) Dakin says it can spread to the gills and they can suffocate. How long do we have before this happens? <What? Do you have access to a microscope? I would scrape off some of these "black spots" and take a closer look... they are not ciliated Protozoans (e.g. Ich)... these are too small to see with the "naked eye"... and moving about?> The fish is visiting the cleaner shrimp (they don't look too interested). Perhaps this will go away? It's weird because within the first hour the fish was awake, it looks like some of it has disappeared (not all of it). It always seems that diseases are worse in the morning...is that because the cleaner shrimp pick things off during the day? Treatment: Freshwater dip: adjust pH (w/baking soda), temp, truly FRESH water or should we just have a slightly lower specific gravity (e.g.1.019)? Additives to dip: Copper we've got Cupramine--what concentration?.2?)--perhaps some Methylene blue? Formalin? Do any of these things interact? If we have to choose, which is the most useful and least toxic to the fish? 2-10 minutes? Should the black spot disappear during this time? Should we just do it for 10 min or as long as the fish can tolerate? I suspect he'll freak out regardless.--some aeration Should 1 dip suffice? We've been getting Caulerpa and trying to grow it from a friend's tank. Do you think that might have transported it? He's got a yellow tang but it looked great. One notable exception is Para vortex, the causative agent of "black spot disease", notably of yellow tangs. This is easily eliminated via freshwater dipping, though other authors suggest formalin baths and organophosphate remedies. Turbellarians, a group in the flatworm Phylum Platyhelminths are mostly "free-living" non-parasitic species. Thanks, Allyson <This is not Paravortex... on a Naso Tang... maybe a trematode/fluke... I wouldn't necessarily "treat it" unless symptomatically this condition seemed to be seriously negatively impacting this animals behavior. Bob Fenner>

Surgeonfishes: Tangs for Marine Aquariums
Diversity, Selection & Care
New eBook on Amazon: Available here
New Print Book on Create Space: Available here

by Robert (Bob) Fenner

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