Cleaner Shrimp - Ich

[daveverdo]

Hi All,

I have signs of ich on three fish and my Skunk doesn't seem to be interested in cleaning them or the fish aren't going to the shrimp for cleaning. Either way, the ich is obvious on a few fish. Not bad cases, just one or two spots on each. I have been using Kick-Ich and seems to be doing nothing.

I would prefer to treat the display because at least three fish show signs. Inverts prevent copper treatment.

I haven't done water changes during the kick-ich treatment and have the skimmer off so the water quality is deteriorating which is probably making things worse.

I plan to do some large water changes over the next few days and start up the skimmer again in an effort to improve the water quality.

I am also having problems keeping the pH up. So I need to work on that.

I have read mixed reports on UV treatment so that is on hold for now.

Lastly I was thinking of getting another cleaner shrimp.

Can two cleaners live in peace?
What type of cleaner would be compatible with the Skunk?
Anyone have success with a particular type of cleaner shrimp and ich?

Summary:
1) Water changes
2) Aggressive skimming
3) raise pH
4) additional cleaner shrimp
5) ???

Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Dave

 

[OAD]

QT tank with hypo treatment.

 

[Piazzon12]

You may not really have to treat at all... ich comes and goes, and if it's not bad keep feeding and good water quality and it should subside.
Neon gobies are also said to eat ich.
Your ph problem is probably due to the skimmer off, low oxygenation, high CO2 = low ph.

 

[Dave VG]

If thats the cleaner you bought from me it was allways cleaning the fish and a couple of times i'm sure it was ick. Good luck Dave. Hope all goes well.

 

[Amazon4]

I think you'll either have to try and control it with excellent nutrition and water quality, or remove the fish and go the hypo or copper route. I did the latter (hypo) and left the DT fallow for 8 weeks. If you don't leave the tank fishless for a while, the ich will remain and you'll probably have to deal with it again.

I spent a lot of money on Rid Ich and lost a lot of fish. Now no one goes in to the DT without going through hypo first.

As far as cleaner shrimp, you can have more than one skunk cleaner. I find they tend to clean the fish the less you feed. I think if they're well fed they get lazy.

 

[nwrogers]

I just keep the water really clean by doing water changes and skimming well. I also try to feed well and the fish usually get better. Every time I tried meds or quarantine the ick just comes back, doesn't work at all, or kills the fish. Its not worth the time or money IMO. Neon gobies are great too!

 

[nwrogers]

Also try to keep the water temp below 80, around 78. Warm water IME can make the ick worse.

 

[drbronx]

I agree fully with Nate and Adam. I have seldom seen ich treatments work. IMO, the best remedy is to enhance the fish's inherent healing ability by supporting their immunilogical capabilities. Feed small frequent feedings. You can supplement their food with Selcon, Vitamin supplements (E.G. Vita-chem), and Garlic. Maintain good water quality including very stable water temperatures. I have found that temp fluctuations in susceptable fish can trigger outbreaks. Maintain all around stable water parameters and limit all forms of environmental stress. You will see ich cycles come and go for months and eventually subside to zero. Best of luck!!

 

[daveverdo]

Updated plan of attack

Summary:
1) Water changes
2) Aggressive skimming
3) raise pH
4) lower temp
5) add Neon Gobie(s)
6) ?????


Dave_VG - The cleaner shrimp is the one I got from you. He used to clean the foxface when I first got them from you but neither seems interested recently. Other than the Ich on the foxface they are all still doing fine.

Dave

 

[oceanparadise1]

My yellow tang got it once last week i just feed him, he kept eating like a pig and it went away the next day

 

[Dave VG]

Hows are things going Dave?

 

[daveverdo]

Steps 1-2 completed. Gradually lowering temp and raising pH.

Everyone is looking better already.

I'll keep you posted.

Dave

 

[Dave VG]

Glad to hear it good going

 

[oceanparadise1]

nice