white tufts on Tomato clown gills

[stilmas]

This is a question for the experts out there. I had purchased a Tomato Clown and BTA pair at the LFS about a week ago. After getting the pair home and taking a closer look at the Clown, I noticed a white filamentous or cotton-like tuft on one of his gills. As of today, approx. 1 week later, the tuft has grown some and breathing seems to be a bit hard. I've done my research on all the possible diseases it could be and am just about ruling out any sort of Ich since it hasn't fallen off yet and is more filamentous then Ich usually is. I also don't see any velvet appearance to the body or anything. Appetite is fine and eats like a horse, but the breathing seems a bit hard. The only other assumptions I can make are Lymphocytis or some sort of fungus. I have superb water quality and also run a UV sterilizer, so I've never had any illnesses whatsoever in this tank and all the other corals and fish are doing fine. Whatever it is, it came with him from the LFS or the wild, but I can't seem to pinpoint what it actually is. Now don't flame me for not using a QT tank, since I never do and never have any problems. My LFS USUALLY has these fish for several days to weeks before I buy anything, and this was no exception. If this fish has been doing well for 2 weeks at the LFS and 1 week here, maybe it's nothing to really worry about and let nature take it's course and let it go away on it's own?? Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

[SnowManSnow]

Could it be a parasite? Some sort of fluke?

Just wondered...

If so.. maybe a nice little cleaner shrimp will take on the job.

Have a great day!

B.

 

[stilmas]

Thanks for the reply, I have a cleaner in there, but the smaller fish seem to be afraid of him..I've been hoping that the clown will eventually use him if he needs to.. Thanks again!