Strange spots on green spotted puffer

[Sploke]

I noticed these spots on my GSP today, and I can't for the life of me figure out what they are. Latest additions to the tank are an Atlantic Blue tang (a juvy, 4") that was added about 2 weeks ago after a 4 week quarantine, other tankmates are a pair of tomato clowns and a domino damsel.

The puffer is still eating fine and behaving normally, my first thought was some sort of injury, but it doesn't look like it to me...any ideas? I've moved him to a QT tank for now just for observation.

 

[J double R]

almost looks kinda like some sort of fungi...

 

[Pufferpunk]

What other fish were in with him? What's the SG of his tank? Start by treating with Melafix & Pimafix for now.

 

[Sploke]

Tankmates are a domino damsel, a pair of tomato clowns and an atlantic blue tang. Tank is kept at 1.026. This guy has been acclimated to full marine for about 9 months now.

 

[Pufferpunk]

Can you get a closer shot of the spots? Are they raised or sunken?

 

[Sploke]

Here's a cropped shot of one of the above, its a little blurry, the spot itself is pretty smooth, but raised a little, almost like a plantar's wart. You have to look at it from head on to see that its raised at all.

 

[Pufferpunk]

Thanks for the great shot! Almost looks like some sort of parasite. How many of those are there?

 

[Pufferpunk]

I ran this past one of my mentors on TPF:

Some type of protozoan or even bacterial (possibly Rickettsia or similar). I hope it's not this one although it is superficially similar (beware: the name given there is possibly wrong): http://www.plecofanatics.com/articles/showentry.php?e=278. First I'd try to simply boost the immune system by offering a varied vitamin enriched diet.

If it's progressing fast I'd use a hospital tank with some antiprotozoan med (with Malachite Green or Forma-Green) in the highes puffer tolerable dose and an antibiotic such as Maracyn II.

 

[Sploke]

There are only the three spots pictured. Its in the QT Tank now, I'll try varying its diet a bit and keep a close eye, it doesn't seem to be progressing at all; I'll hold off on medication unless I notice a change for the worse.

 

[Pufferpunk]

how's he doing? Any more spots?