Have I missed something? Losing much-loved fish

[GrantH]

Hi All,

I very recently lost a wonderful yellow eyed kole tang to ich, a yellow tailed damsel has disappeared and two clown fish died suddenly, but did not have any ich spots on them. Tank parameters:

75 gallon tank with live rock and refugium, cycle was complete at beginning of January. ASM mini G protein skimmer and two powerheads in the tank to maintain circulation.

Living inhabitants six-line wrasse (well behaved), 3 firefish and yellow watchman goby/pistol shrimp pair, bubble-tip anemone, 2 cleaner shrimps and various soft coral fragments. The coral and anemone and shrimps are growing very well indeed.

Temp 80.0F
pH 8.2
Ammonia, Nitrites, Nitrates and Phosphate all undetectable.
I do have a moderate cyano covering on the sand, and a few strands of hair algae

I plan to do the following but would be grateful if you'd tell me if I missed anything:

Transfer all living fish to QT and treat for Ich and as I couldn't see any spots on the clowns, I will treat for parasites/flukes too.

I will drain the water and replace with fresh, using RO/DI (I was already using that anyway) and will replace the large reservoir in case there is something leaking into the water that is causing stress.

I will leave the display tank fallow for 60 days before moving the fish back into it.

I am disappointed in myself for obviously not QT'ng the inhabitants for long enough and hate the idea that fish were removed from the wild just to die in a glass box a couple of months later.

Any help would be greaty appreciated.

 

[MrTuskfish]

Ich isn't always visible, it loves the gills. All fish need to be treated in a QT. I see no point in changing water because of ich; most of the living ich will be in a cyst stage in the substrate or LR. The DT needs to stay fallow for 10+ weeks and that will take care of any remaining ich. If you're sure the fish were killed by ich and it sounds like it (not velvet or brooklynella); I'd treat the ich with tank transfer. If that isn't possible, then copper or possibly chloroquine phosphate. I'm new to CP; but it gets good reviews from good hobbyists. Its hard to find and the clock is running.

FWIW; I doubt that fish mind a glass box, once acclimated. Fish need to eat, avoid being eaten, and reproduce. They don't play with their fishie friends. I don't speak for fish, but they wouldn't thrive for years in a glass box if they were't comfortable.

 

[GrantH]

Thanks for the advice

Thanks for the advice

Thanks for you posting.and advice. I try not to apply human characteristics to animals and am sure that they are often better off in captivity. I do think its unfortunate that an animal died because of my inexperience or failure to recognize problems early enough though. But, hopefully I have learned from the problems I had.

Cheers,

Grant

 

[MrTuskfish]

Thanks for you posting.and advice. I try not to apply human characteristics to animals and am sure that they are often better off in captivity. I do think its unfortunate that an animal died because of my inexperience or failure to recognize problems early enough though. But, hopefully I have learned from the problems I had.

Cheers,

Grant

It happens to everyone. A QT is the best investment you'll ever make. Try Craigslist.

 

[GrantH]

I already have a 30 gallon I intend to use and will get the other components over the weekend so I should be set to start the treatment for the a symptomatic fish and get that display tank in fallow.

Thanks again,

Grant

 

[wooden_reefer]

Losses from ich is 100% or nearly 100% preventable.

Eradication by QT works.

No fish should die from ich under the care of an able aquarist.

 

[MrTuskfish]

You must treat any fish that was exposed to ich, not just those showing symptoms.