White patch on mandarin - I'm not talking about ich

Mushroom Boy · 10-19-2002, 08:24 PM

My mandarin has a few white patches on him. This is not ich, but I'm wondering what it is. My foxface has one as well. The patches appear to be about the size of a small fish eye. They don't appear to be an attached parasite, rather a spot where the pigment has faded. They're round. The fish aren't displaying any outward signs of stress at this point, but I'm concerned that that will change. Anyone have any idea what this might be? I don't have a digi-cam, otherwise, I'd post a pic. Any help is appreciated!

Paul.

cyberchef · 10-19-2002, 11:34 PM

How old is the tank, how long have you had the fish and have you added anything new recently?

Souinds like maybe it could be a fubgus or possibly a parasite such as an Isopod. And what you are seeing is where it "bit" the fish

Mushroom Boy · 10-19-2002, 11:49 PM

The system's been up and running since 1997. I upgraded to the 100 gallon about a year ago and I haven't added any fish since June. I've seen pictures of the isopods that you're referring to and this definitely does not appear to be that. It doesn't look like a bite, or a wound, rather a faded patch of pigment. It's weird. I'll try and get a picture of it this week sometime. Thanks for the help!

Paul.

cyberchef · 10-19-2002, 11:59 PM

I know Mandarines will fade at night, but they get thier color back once the lights are back on... Could be a fungus or possibly they are rubbing against a rock point somehwere in thier travels... Hope they get better...

Shack · 10-20-2002, 01:39 AM

My mandarin does the same thing, Like it was said prior, it usually happens when the lights go out, he'll get these blotches of white all over him. It almost looks like hes rotting. Sometimes 1 or 2 blotches will stay with him through out hte day. Th e first time i saw them i got real nervous. But i think its natural. Mine gets them all the time.