Help identifying ich
 

Need some help identifying ich. Recently bought 3 new fish, flame angel, potter's angel and one spot fox face. I QTed them all for a month before putting in DT. Ran Prazi but no coper. Potter's died 2 week after moving into DT. Not sure why could have been flukes, (maybe ich but no white spots).

Now it's two week later so a month of qt and a month in my DT. Saw some small white spots on the tail of my fox face. I've seen the spots 2 separate times. HOWEVER they only last for a few HOURS. NOT DAYS. Apart from the spots his fin is a little torn (looks like someone took a nip) but he seems very healthy. Flam also has a little nip in fin but also seems healthy. Both eating swimming etc.

My main question is, is it possible that the parasites are only visible for a few hours?? I"m constantly looking at fish and looking at the tail, so there is no way I would have missed it. Was prepared to move fish into hospital tank but spot went away quickly.

I know that ich comes and goes, but I read that it lasts on the fish for a few days (not a few hours). Was thinking that maybe that I what i was mistaken for spots is just some sand or some tank debris?

Thanks,
Jay

its very possible that it could be bubbles or sand.

Yes I agree with above! My go to observation is flashing and scratching and or heavy breathing these are signs of ick that is not visible, they are also signs of flukes but it tells you there's something not right. Ick stays on the fish 5-7 days usually but it's not always visible. The potters death is not uncommon these fish are difficult to maintain they don't eat well in captivity. Did the potter look thin? Did you see it eat?

Yes I know the potter's are hard to keep. He did look thin. But he was grazing on tank algae. He spend a lot of time under the wave maker and was breathing heavily (which is why I was thinking flukes or ich) no scratching and no spots.

How many rounds of prazi did you run?

2 rounds, followed instructions

Thinking that what I thought was some ich might have just been tank debris. Fish seems absolutely fine and spots only lasted a couple of hours. Going to keep a close eye on them though

Usually ich trophonts last a few days. You are probably good:)

FINGERS CROSSED!!! Thanks for the feedback.