Errr ICH

[erosenlieb]

i have a 29 gallon biocube with a flame that has ICH

whats the best way to treat

it also has what seem to be bulges in the skin along with the normal
white bumps on the fins and skin

Thank

 

[snorvich]

Please read the ich stickies for alternative treatments.

 

[erosenlieb]

1. Hyposalinity - Using a refractometer, hold salinity at 11ppt to 12ppt until 4 weeks after the last spot was seen. (Best to use salinity, but if you use specific gravity, that equates to roughly 1.008 to 1.009 sp. gr. units). Raise salinity slowly and observe fish for 4 more weeks. It is difficult to control pH and water quality during treatment, however this is the least stressful treatment for the fish.

2. Copper treatment - Follow medication recommendations. This can be effective in 2 to 4 weeks of treatment. After treatment, remove all copper and observe fish for 4 more weeks. Copper is a poison to the fish and creates some stress.

which of these is easier on corals and should copper ever be done in a DT

thanks

 

[geaux xman]

Both methods will kill corals.

You would have to let your tank sit fallow(no fish) for 8-10weeks for the ich to die out from its life cycle. Then treat in a separate tank.

Either do that or just live with the ich in the tank. Which will just be an ongoing problem.

 

[erosenlieb]

so pull the fish out of the tank and let it sit for 8 weeks will kill all the ich in it
then treat the fish in another tank

how long do i have till the fish die

 

[eholceker]

You can try feeding dr g's medicated food with chloroquine. May work or may not but worth a shot if the fish is holding strong and the outbreak is mild. If not I would treat with cupramine in a separate tank. Not a big fan of hypo.

 

[TealCobra]

so pull the fish out of the tank and let it sit for 8 weeks will kill all the ich in it
then treat the fish in another tank

how long do i have till the fish die

There is no hard fast rule on how long it takes for parasites to kill a fish.

 

[snorvich]

There is no hard fast rule on how long it takes for parasites to kill a fish.

Correct. However, the nature of the life cycle is that it is progressive.

 

[MrTuskfish]

1. Hyposalinity - Using a refractometer, hold salinity at 11ppt to 12ppt until 4 weeks after the last spot was seen. (Best to use salinity, but if you use specific gravity, that equates to roughly 1.008 to 1.009 sp. gr. units). Raise salinity slowly and observe fish for 4 more weeks. It is difficult to control pH and water quality during treatment, however this is the least stressful treatment for the fish.

2. Copper treatment - Follow medication recommendations. This can be effective in 2 to 4 weeks of treatment. After treatment, remove all copper and observe fish for 4 more weeks. Copper is a poison to the fish and creates some stress.

which of these is easier on corals and should copper ever be done in a DT

thanks

IMO&IME, you cannot cure ich in the DT/QT, a HT is a must in our hobby. Inverts should never be exposed to copper. Flame Angels are one fish that doesn't handle copper well at all. ALL of the fish need to be treated; tank-transfer is best (IMO) if you can do it. Hypo is very demanding and seems to have way too many failures. I'd really suggest reading all the ich stickies, and anything else you can find, this is essential info for every SW hobbyist. There are similar parasites that can wipe out a tank in a couple of days. If you don't use a QT with new fish and/or aren't ready with proper meds and a HT set-up, this scenario can ruin the hobby for you.