white patch on mono sebae

[BigSLC]

Ever since I got my mono sebaes about a month ago, one of them has had a faint white patch on his head- right above his right eye. When I first noticed it, it looked like scar tissue or something but now I'm not so sure. It doesn't look like a fungus, it is NOT cottony looking at all. It just looks like a slight depression that is white in color and smooth looking in texture- sort of like an ulceration but it doesn't really look like its an open wound. Sometimes it is more noticeable than other times but that may have to do with the fact that he changes his color shade a little bit depending on his mood. Are Monos knows to get hole-in-the-head disease or is this unlikely? I am treating the tank with Melafix but I'm curious if anybody might know what this is. Is it something I should be worried about? I'll try to post a picture or two- sorry in advance for the quality, I haven't quite mastered the art of fish photography... Thanks!!

 

[pussyfishhunter]

what are your water parameters. need more info.
good luck

 

[BigSLC]

I'm pretty certain its not my water conditions since the patch was there when I purchased the fish (I noticed it the first or second day he was in my tank). But I do have some test kits and I test my water regularly and the readings are: ammonia-0, nitrite-0, nitrate-0. I just bought the nitrate test kit the other day and I expected there to be at least a little bit of nitrate but it is completely clear. The ph test kit I have isn't the best, since it is for freshwater and only goes up to 7.6 so all I know is that the ph is at or over 7.6. I have crushed coral mixed in with silica sand to buffer the ph and keep it high so I don't think its related to ph. I just started adding marine salt to the tank a couple weeks ago, adding enough salt in my weekly water changes to raise the SG of the tank .002. I am now at a SG of 1.004. I have been treating the tank with Melafix for 5 or 6 days now and there is no significant change in the 'patch'. I just picked up Neale Monks' book and in the mono section he mentions 'white patch' and I believe he recommends raising the salinity to treat this condition. I can only raise the salinity so much per week so that I don't threaten my bio-filter but hopefully this condition will get better each week as the specific gravity goes up. If anybody has any better ideas I am willing to listen. Thanks!!

 

[BigSLC]

I mentioned 'white patch' in the post above but I believe it actually says 'white spot' disease in the book, which I've come to find out is another name for ich. I'm pretty certain this is not ich since it doesn't fit the description so disregard that part... Whatever it is doesn't seem to be having a detrimental effect on the mono as he eats well (probably too well), is active, and has the best coloration of all three of my monos. He is regularly silver like he should be, while the other two are usually varying degrees of dark gray (which is another post altogether...). Ideas are nevertheless appreciated.