snowflke eel and dogface

Question
I woke up this morning and noticed long stringy stuff on eels face and some on body and than some on dog face eyes my water was just tested at store yesterday everything great except they said nitrates a bit high and to change 10% in the next week can I get an idea what it is thanks

Answer
Hi Andrea,

This is a great question. However since there are many different variables involved within each and every given aquarium, it may be hard for you to pinpoint exactly what is causing this stringy substance. Through process of elimination, you may be able to figure it out.

If you do not suspect it to be pathogenic, then perhaps its mucus, many fish and corals give off a mucus, for several reasons, including to ward off predation.

Let me give you an example of why a fish would produce a stringy mucus substance:

The six-line wrasse Pseudocheilinus hexataenia sleeps in a protective cocoon made out of its own mucus. These cocoons are believed to mask the chemical signature of the wrasse, thereby making it difficult for nocturnal predators to sniff out the fish and track it to its hidden resting place on the reef. I suspect what you're seeing each morning may be the remnant of the previous night's cocoon from one of your fish. Remember, your eel is also classified as a fish.

Regards,
David

All Experts - Editor

http://www.ocreef.com - Director