Sick Blue Spotted Puffer?

Question
Hi TJ,

I have had a blue nosed puffer (tobie) in my tank for about 2-3 weeks now. He seems fine - active and eating everything I put in the tank (flake, pellets and mysid shrimp) but I have noticed over the last day or so that he appears to have lost some of the colour on his face - it looks like someone has dabbed a painting with a cloth dipped in turps. He also has a white spot next to one eye. I was wondering if he has some kind of disease and if so what I should do about it. I have a 120 litre Red Sea Max set up with the standard skimmer, T55 and actinic lighting, 2 power heads, heater, noodles and charcoal filter. The sponge filters have been removed as I had a major problem with micro bubbles in the water (which still hasn't been fixed completely). The tank has only been set up for about 5 weeks and also contains 13-14 kgs of live rock, four smallish soft corals, a small banana wrasse, clown, coral baeuty and a long nosed hawkfish. Cleaning crew consists of 2 snails and four hermits (3 of which are very small). I check the water every 2-3 days now, and this afternoons tests show zero ammonia, 0.2 nitrite (zero last test), 5-10 nitrate, and ph of 8.2. Hope you can put my mind at rest as I'm really fond of this little fella!

Answer
Hey Kim

Sounds like he may be coming down with something. could you possibly put him in his own tank for a while? wait a few more days and see if his symptoms continue, if they do, try to get a 10g or 20g tank, and take some water from your RSM during a water change and put it in the new tank. im thinking its fungus, so if its looking bad i would pick up a saltwater anti-fungal medication. treat him for a few weeks to make sure its fully gone and so that it doesnt spread to other fish

good luck!!!