Ich on Foxface

[Deinonych]

I currently have three fish in QT right now - a Royal Gramma, a Kole Tang and a One-Spot Foxface. I've had them for exactly two weeks to the day. When I fed them today, only the Foxface ate. The Royal Gramma was hiding behind the HOB filter inlet and the Kole Tang appeared pale and was breathing rapidly. Prior to this, all have been eating well and have been acclimating well.

Upon closer inspection, it looks like the Foxface has some white spots on his snout, and just anterior to his caudal peduncle. I believe this is ich, and would explain the sudden change in behavior. I've started treatment with Cupramine today (0.25 mg/L starting dose). Am I right that this is ich?

 

[Mrscribbled]

Does not look like ich to me, more like flukes.


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[MrTuskfish]

Does not look like ich to me, more like flukes.


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I agree.

 

[Deinonych]

Thank you very much. Sadly, my Kole Tang passed away this morning. The fact that he was breathing rapidly and losing coloration is consistent with flukes. I'm somewhat relieved knowing the cause, oddly enough. Wish I had started Prazipro earlier, but hindsight is 20/20.

I am currently treating the remaining fish with Prazipro as well as Cupramine just to make sure I cover my bases (treating with copper is part of my quarantine protocol anyway). The gramma and foxface are still doing fine, although the foxface has been somewhat freaked out since the tang died (swimming around the tank looking for a way out). Hopefully he'll settle down soon.

 

[MrTuskfish]

Personally, I treat all new fish with Cupramine while in the QT. However, that's a much-argued topic with good reasoning on both sides. (At least good reasoning to the folks that chose that direction). But when it comes to worming with Prazi-Pro; I can't think of any reason why anyone would not use PP with all new fish. Its the safest med I can think of.

 

[Deinonych]

Personally, I treat all new fish with Cupramine while in the QT. However, that's a much-argued topic with good reasoning on both sides. (At least good reasoning to the folks that chose that direction). But when it comes to worming with Prazi-Pro; I can't think of any reason why anyone would not use PP with all new fish. Its the safest med I can think of.

I agree. Prazipro is a no-brainer. I always treat my new QT arrivals with it as well. Unfortunately, it appears I didn't start the treatment soon enough in this case. Lesson (one of many) learned.

 

[Deinonych]

On a related note, how would I recognize fluke infection early on in the QT process? In retrospect, I wonder if I missed some warning signs with the tang. For example, he was going to town on the brown algae growing on the walls and floor of the QT from day one. About a week ago, I noticed that he wasn't really going after it that much, but didn't think much of it since he was eating prepared foods. I now wonder if that slight behavioral change was an early indication of infection?

I'm kicking myself because I normally start medicating after 5-7 days of arrival (to ensure the fish are eating and settling in first). Not sure why I got distracted and didn't stick to my schedule, but I'll definitely stick to it next time. I hate the fact that a fish died because I wasn't mindful.