I've got a regal tang that is showing signs of Ich. What treatment can I use? It's in my 135G, so catching it is out of the question. The tank is a reef with Green Chromis, Percula Clowns, Mandarin, Rainford Goby, and Leopard Wrasse. Any reef safe treatments that I can use? I've used Kick Ich in the past, and have also use Melafix & Pimafix. Thanks.
Ich
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gflat65
New member
I'm not well versed in fish diseases, but I'll throw out a few ideas (been lucky for a decade except for a marine velvet outbreak on my lion of 3 years...). If you can run a UV sterilizer for a little while, that might help since you can't get the fish out (besides, if it is ich, and is showing itself, you likely have it in the tank, on the substrate, etc., already). Cleaner animals like shrimp and wrasses can also help knock out issues. I hear many have problems with cleaner wrasses, but mine has stayed fat and happy and actively harasses nearly everyone in the tank looking for something new to munch on. I introduced a small maroon for my big momma and didn't QT. The little one developed a white spot near it's dorsal that discolored the skin and started getting larger. The wrasse made short work of it, though.
If I had actually had to treat something in the past, I might be able to help you out there, but if it can be done without meds, I'm more inclined to try it. Melafix and Pimafix seemed to be helping on the lion when he somehow got marine velvet (nothing had been added to the tank in well over a year at the time...), but he eventually succumbed... That was in a 'FOWLR', though, so no corals to hurt (other than the weeds that can live in the toilet for a few days like sarcos and some zoas).
If I had actually had to treat something in the past, I might be able to help you out there, but if it can be done without meds, I'm more inclined to try it. Melafix and Pimafix seemed to be helping on the lion when he somehow got marine velvet (nothing had been added to the tank in well over a year at the time...), but he eventually succumbed... That was in a 'FOWLR', though, so no corals to hurt (other than the weeds that can live in the toilet for a few days like sarcos and some zoas).
imsqueak
Premium Member
Garlic! I have a jar of minced garlic. I take a heaping spoon of the minced garlic and add some tank water to it. Putting it in a Tupperware so you can use it again over the next couple days. I dip the nori in for a couple minutes (already clipped to the feeder clip) then feed it to the tank. I've also added floating food since it sucks up water so much and feed it to the tank. I've beat off ick in the early stages this way twice.
Oh yea, I was running ozone in the skimmer too so that may have helped with any ick that ran through it.
Oh yea, I was running ozone in the skimmer too so that may have helped with any ick that ran through it.
Garlic may help. Your UV sterilizer may help: ask if you can borrow it back for a week.
And FYI, there is a way to get a tricky fish out of a giant tank: lots of barrels and a potent pump. Pump the tank down fast, leaving a trench in the front sand so the fish will go there for deeper water. Net your fish, put him in one of the barrels, then start pumping water back in like mad. Your corals will not be damaged.
Arrange your qt with water from the last barrel with the fish, qt the fish, and put the last water back in. Test your water every 6 hours thereafter for any ph effects of this mishandling, but it should come through fine.
And FYI, there is a way to get a tricky fish out of a giant tank: lots of barrels and a potent pump. Pump the tank down fast, leaving a trench in the front sand so the fish will go there for deeper water. Net your fish, put him in one of the barrels, then start pumping water back in like mad. Your corals will not be damaged.
Arrange your qt with water from the last barrel with the fish, qt the fish, and put the last water back in. Test your water every 6 hours thereafter for any ph effects of this mishandling, but it should come through fine.
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