Anyone know what this is?

[marieulf83]

I have just bought four fishes from someone. She cought the fishes before I picked them up, so I didnt see the fish closely before I got them home. Noe I see these white things on the Rusty Angelfish hanging from the gills... Anyone know what it is? Is it paracites, or something normal?
The fish is about 14 years old, and the previous owner have had it since 2008. It is eating and looks healthy, and the other fishes do not show signes of it. If it was a paracite, shouldnt the other fishes also be infected?

 

[Rutrag]

I think you're just seeing the spines on the gill covers. They normally blend in more than that, but all angelfish have them and I assume they are used to defend themselves and their territory. This is one of the characteristics that differentiates angelfish from butterflyfish. (A long time ago, scientists placed both in the same family.)

 

[marieulf83]

Ok. Thank you so much for the answer