Tny Black spots on Yellow Tang

[Trigger Man]

Today I notice tiny little black spots on my yellow tang. Hes not covered in them just a few on him.They are the size of a grain of salt. None of my other fish have them. The tang is not acting funny . his color is good and he is eating fine. Is this something to worry about? Yesterday the spots were not there. Any help would be helpful

[leebca]

Hi Guy.

It is something to worry about, sorry to say.

Yellow Tangs are notorious for getting what is known as "Black Ich." Black Ich isn't caused by a single organism, but any number from a group of flat worms that burrow into the skin of the fish. You can't see the organism on the fish.

The black dots you see are actually a skin reaction called hypermelanisation to the worms' affect.

These worms fall off the fish and complete their cycle in the aquarium, hatching more eggs to find more hosts. Although Yellow Tangs seem to be the most prone, many different kinds of fishes can get it (and carry it into your tank).

This is one of the organisms that can, in small numbers, be gotten rid of by doing a freshwater dip on newly acquired fishes, then holding them in quarantine, so that such worms don't make it into your display tank. It's one of the reasons I recommend a freshwater dip on all newly acquired marine fish, followed by quarantine:
Freshwater Dip for Marine Fishes

Although there are two primary treatments (multiple freswhater dips and multiple formalin dips) I recommend using formalin when you are at the stage you see.

It is best to 'punch' those worms out with a tough treatment. The fish will be fine through this.

Move the fish to a hospital tank. This is important so that the fish will be easy to catch. What you have to do is multiple dips in formalin. For the formalin dip procedure, read and follow this advice:
http://www.marineaquariumadvice.com/...nd_or_foe.html

The longer you leave that fish in the tank, the more worms you'll be letting reproduce. I'd suggest moving quickly on the removal of the fish.

Ask if you have questions on this. Let us know how it turns out. Good luck!

Sorry to hear that your fish has this.

[leebca]

Is your fish okay?

[jaysunsd]

What if I can't catch the fish because I have a full reef he hides in? I have a 210 Gal Tank, so removal of all the rock and coral is not an option.

Thanks

[koopa]

You can't ask an expert on how to perform miracles man..good luck though.

[leebca]

We have many suggestions for catching a fish in an aquarium. Please read through this thread for some ideas on how to do this:
How to Catch Fish -or- Goin' Fisin'

Remember: The wild-caught fish you have were captured in an ocean on or near a reef. So you should be able to catch the fish in such a small container as an aquarium!