Ich. Again

[Shellyfish]

If there was something that would make me throw my hands up and run screaming from this hobby it would be ich. I've preveiously dealt with it in my Reef, I've ripped that apart and left it fallow for 10 weeks and have not had any issues since (knock on wood). Every new fish gets QT'd now and I've had no problems. I started up a FOWLR a few months ago and same rules, all newbies get QT'd. The last batch to go in were a flame angel, a bicolor angel and a toby puffer. They spend 4 weeks in the QT, no spots, no issues all eating well. I have thought about using copper as a preventive on new fish, but as angels are sensitive to it I decided to see if it was necessary.

They were added to the DT about 2 weeks ago now. For the past week my lavender tang (big suprise) has been covered in cursed ich spots! He had ich when I got him and was treated. Now I noticed a few spots on my foxface, no where near as bad as the tang. The angels and the puffer, as well as the other inhabitants are not showing any spots. Everyone is eating well.

Now I know what I should do, but to be honest I'm almost tempted to play the wait and see game like so many do. I would like some opinions from those who have done nothing, just kept water clean and fed well. However, if I do decide to rip this tank apart and treat the fish I only have 2 20g tanks available. Will I be able to keep 9 fish (foxface, small emperor, niger trigger, lavender tang, bicolor angel, flame angel, toby puffer, and 2 small damsels) in 2 20g tanks for 8 weeks?

Also, what should I do with the angels? I don't think I can be diligent enough for hypo and I don't have the tanks do do tank transfer, so I'm left with copper. I've used it successfully in the past, but I don't want to kill my angels who are showing no signs at all!

 

[HumbleFish]

I've done Ich management before. You have to attack the parasite on two fronts. First, you have to keep the overall number of parasites down. This is where things like UV, ozone, diatom filter comes in. Second, you have to keep all your fishes immune systems in tiptop condition. Feeding food high in protein (i.e mysis, blackworms) coupled with veggies (i.e. nori) helps. As does soaking your fish food in vitamin supplements and keeping your water pristine. Paul B keeps his fish in "breeding condition" by feeding live blackworms and soaking pellets in fish oil. He would be a good person to talk to.

Now comes the catch. You can do all this and your fish can still succumb. Especially if hit by something which stresses them and lowers their overall immune system. Anything from a fish fight to a prolonged power loss can cause this. You have to always keep in mind that you are just "managing" the problem; these methods will never completely eradicate it.

I've done both Ich management and (now) eradication; and the former stressed me to the point where I was scared to even go on vacation for fear of coming home to a bunch of dead fish. Which is why I do not recommend it. Quite frankly, this hobby is enough of a PITA - always some maintenance or something that needs to be done. Don't add "battle fish parasites" to your daily routine.

 

[Hokies83]

So what are you going to treat the Angel fish with?

 

[Shellyfish]

Yeah, I'm not really keen on waiting for the tank to crash, which is why I went through the tearing the reef apart over a year ago. So then if do treat, will the 9 fish be ok in the 20 gallon tanks? And what to do with the angels? I have previously treated a coral beauty (from the reef) with copper (before I knew they were sensitive) and it did fine. Do I just use a lower dose?

 

[HumbleFish]

Yeah, I'm not really keen on waiting for the tank to crash, which is why I went through the tearing the reef apart over a year ago. So then if do treat, will the 9 fish be ok in the 20 gallon tanks? And what to do with the angels? I have previously treated a coral beauty (from the reef) with copper (before I knew they were sensitive) and it did fine. Do I just use a lower dose?

I would be tempted to try Chloroquine phosphate in the DT. Assuming you have no corals/inverts.

 

[Shellyfish]

I have no corals/inverts but I don't seem to be able to find that medication in canada. Anyone know where I can get it?