What are these white dots?

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Hybridfish7

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Dec 4, 2017
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Yes
If I did not test my water...
  1. ...I recognize that I will likely be asked to do a test, and that water tests are critical for solving freshwater health problems.
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Yes
If I do not change my water...
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I'm inclined to believe they're not (columnaris induced) epistylis given
1. This tank has been isolated from the rest of my tanks for like a year
2. The fish seems fine with it and I'm not sure how long it's been like that
3. The dots lie flat on the body and seem to be a uniform size
The thing that throws me off is how the dots don't show up at certain angles. They definitely don't just look like messed up scales... I think?

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I'm inclined to believe they're not (columnaris induced) epistylis given
1. This tank has been isolated from the rest of my tanks for like a year
2. The fish seems fine with it and I'm not sure how long it's been like that
3. The dots lie flat on the body and seem to be a uniform size
The thing that throws me off is how the dots don't show up at certain angles. They definitely don't just look like messed up scales... I think?

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May also be worth noting that it is not on the fins at all. I just need to know if it's ich. If it's ich I don't need to worry.

With things like epistylis and columnaris, if the fish is put into a healthy system with proper circulation by accident, theoretically speaking would it not be a threat to existing fish given the bacteria/suspended organic material isn't at a level where either will colonize the fish?

Even with ich as well I know a healthy system will eat stray parasites in the reproductive/growing stage.
 
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Pics aren’t super clear, but maybe lymphocytosis?
It almost does look like damaged scales based on size and location though. It would be consistent with the fin damage.
 
I'd add 3 lbs of salt per 100 gals, without raising the temp.
For sajica that salinity wouldn't do any harm, and by not raising water temp, if it were Epistylis, wouldn't fire up bacteria, the way heat does.
 
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