WTF is that!?!

[Enigma]

It resembles lymphocystis to me, but I may see it places it isn't: my female Darwin occ. suffers from it, so I may be hyper-aware of it.

[xnmuller]

Originally Posted by Enigma

It resembles lymphocystis to me.

Thanks for the ID. I looked up a few other photos on the mighty google and it does look similar. Have you been successful in treating it? If so what worked for you?

[Reef_Geek]

lymphocystis is a virus, thus there is no medication for it. Only the fish's immune system can keep it curbed.

Some have had limited success physically removing the nodules (finger nails, scraping with a tool, cutting off fin tips).

[Enigma]

Originally Posted by xnmuller

Thanks for the ID. I looked up a few other photos on the mighty google and it does look similar. Have you been successful in treating it? If so what worked for you?

I haven't treated it. My Darwin has had two outbreaks. Both cleared up on their own. The first cleared up in five weeks. The second (just this week) cleared up very quickly: in four days.

I don't know what brought on the first bout. The second bout was no doubt brought on by my Chemiclean usage. It is caused by a virus, and it is kind of like herpes in humans: if the fish is stressed, the sores will arise. The fish will always carry the virus. It usually clears up on its own, but secondary bacterial infections can result and kill the fish.

[Reef_Geek]

if you see it getting fluffy or fuzzy in structure, then it's probably not lymphocystis (or has become secondarily infected). If it is nodules like cancerous growth, then it is likely lymphocystis.

[waynemah]

Do you have any other tangs in the tank? My Regal had almost exactly the same thing, it started out as a small gash from a fellow tang and turned into something similar to what you have pictured. I left him alone and fed as much as possible, the wound is now almost 100% gone and it took about 2 weeks.

[xnmuller]

Originally Posted by waynemah

Do you have any other tangs in the tank? My Regal had almost exactly the same thing, it started out as a small gash from a fellow tang and turned into something similar to what you have pictured. I left him alone and fed as much as possible, the wound is now almost 100% gone and it took about 2 weeks.

I have a yellow as well. I think I'm gonna go with the feedings, he hasn't been showing any signs of decreased appetite. Is there anything I should be feeding that may increase his chances? I read somewhere that garlic can help boost immune function.

[waynemah]

Originally Posted by xnmuller

I have a yellow as well. I think I'm gonna go with the feedings, he hasn't been showing any signs of decreased appetite. Is there anything I should be feeding that may increase his chances? I read somewhere that garlic can help boost immune function.

I always feed pellets. Thera +A or something along those lines. I'm sure some garlic with your regular food wouldn't hurt either.

If you notice any strange additional growth, or change in appetite... You might want to look for a different solution.