black specks

jsheffel · 01-31-2007, 11:40 AM

Can anyone tell me what these black specks are (and what I need to do, if anything, to get rid of them)? They are only on the tang (none on any of my chromis' or on my goby).

**leebca** · 01-31-2007, 12:07 PM

It is commonly referred to as "Black Ich." The black spots are not the organism. The black is the blood/hemorrhaging that is caused by the organism burrowing into the fish. The organism is invisible to the naked eye.

The organism that causes this is a group of flat worms. They are killed and the fish gets free of them by doing formalin dips every 3 days until you don't see the black spots anymore.

Yellow Tangs are most noticeably affected by these worms.

The formalin treatment is explained in this article:
Formaldehyde: Friend or Foe - Treating Saltwater Fish Diseases

Because the fish has to be repeatedly caught, it is best to move the fish to a quarantine/hospital tank while it is being cured. Also, since these worms do infect other fish, it is best to move the fish as soon as possible.

Good luck!

jsheffel · 01-31-2007, 01:22 PM

Thanks. That's what I needed to know. I guess I'll need to get my quarantine tank up ASAP.

01-31-2007, 11:40 AM	#1
jsheffel Tenant Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 85	black specks Can anyone tell me what these black specks are (and what I need to do, if anything, to get rid of them)? They are only on the tang (none on any of my chromis' or on my goby). Attached Thumbnails

01-31-2007, 12:07 PM	#2
leebca Moderator - LEE Join Date: May 2006 Location: So CA Posts: 2,436	Re: black specks It is commonly referred to as "Black Ich." The black spots are not the organism. The black is the blood/hemorrhaging that is caused by the organism burrowing into the fish. The organism is invisible to the naked eye. The organism that causes this is a group of flat worms. They are killed and the fish gets free of them by doing formalin dips every 3 days until you don't see the black spots anymore. Yellow Tangs are most noticeably affected by these worms. The formalin treatment is explained in this article: Formaldehyde: Friend or Foe - Treating Saltwater Fish Diseases Because the fish has to be repeatedly caught, it is best to move the fish to a quarantine/hospital tank while it is being cured. Also, since these worms do infect other fish, it is best to move the fish as soon as possible. Good luck! __________________ LEE Post your fish care and health questions on the Reefland MARINE FISH: CARE, HEALTH AND DISEASE TREATMENT Forum.

01-31-2007, 01:22 PM	#3
jsheffel Tenant Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 85	Re: black specks Thanks. That's what I needed to know. I guess I'll need to get my quarantine tank up ASAP.

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