Ich

[kcfehring]

Okay, I think that my six line wrasse may have ich. This evening for the first time I noticed what looked like little white spots all over her body and fins. This is the first time I have noticed it and I look at all my tank inhabitants many times a day. Right now she is eating fine, is not scratching on rocks, and her eyes are fine. (These are other things that I read may be symptoms of ich)

I am in the process of setting up a hospital tank. Bare bottom, pvc for hideing and hob filter. I have only had this fish for about a week...and no I did not quarentine her. I know you can take me out and flog me later, it can not be any worse than what I have been doing to myself this evening. I always thought that a q/t tank was being a little too paranoid and alot of needless work, however now that I am facing taking down all my rock work to catch the little fish I have a wonderful new view on the whole q/t tank.

So now I have a few questions.

1. Do I need to do anything to my display tank once I get the fish out? I am sure I will need to do a water change, but do I need to vacuum my sand, scrub rock, put anything in the water? I read that fish that have ich will sometimes rub up agains rocks and that cysts will fall into the sand bed...does something need to be done about that?

2. Would it be best just to give the fish the garlic soaked food and lots of water changes with low salinity or do I need some type of antibiotic or copper or something like that.

3. How is it passed and should I be looking for any other type of symptoms for my other fish?

Thanks

 

[tmz]

To treat your wrasse you should use hypo salinity or copper in the hospital tank.
The ich in the tank can't be removed by scraping and cleaning, The only way to get it out of the tank is to leave your tank fishless for several months. This period of time will ensure that all cysts have "hatched" and free swimming parasites have died from lack of a host fish.
Your other fish should be quarantined and if symptoms appear they should also be treated. Even if you don't immediately see spots, they could have some parasites in their gills,so you may choose to treat them prophylacticly.
There are a number of articles on marine ich. If you do a web search on Cryptocaryon irritans you will find very plentiful and helpful information.
This is not an easy thing to fix once it's in your tank but getting rid of it will prove worth the effort in the long run.
Symptoms to look for include; lack of appetite, twitching, rubbing, white spots, labored breathing, and listlessness.
Good Luck

 

[Freed]

I concur...r

How many fish do you have in the display? How big is the QT tank going to be that you are setting up? If big enough you can house them all in there and treat all at the same time you are treating the six line. That way the main tank will be fishless and you will be erradicating any ich that is in/on the other fish as well.

 

[kcfehring]

I have six fish all seemed healthy till this. Coral beauty, six line, two oscallaris, diamond goby, and a lawnmower blenny. I was thinking of using a 20 gallon tall with a HOB bio wheel filter, pc lighting, heater, penguin 600 powerhead, and bare bottom tank with pvc pieces thrown in for hiding places.

I have read some articles and the ones I read said touse hyposalinity, 50% water changes everyday for two weeks, and then weekly water changes for the next month, raising temp to 82 degrees (right now my display tank stays at about 78 degrees), using garlic, medicated food and of course they mentioned different medications as well. But I would like to stay away from that except as a last resort.

I am thinking that I will use the hyposalinity method with 25% water changes once a week for 6-8 weeks in the 20 gallon tank. I will soak food in garlic extreme or something similiar just because I don't think it can hurt and if it helps then BONUS!

What do you all think?

 

[tmz]

Sounds ok. A couple of things to consider:
Your six line wrasse,lawnmower blenny and diamond goby are jumpers. Be sure to cover your q tank.
Your ocellaris might like an artificial anemone. Some cut and banded plastic twine works for artificial habibtat.
The diamond goby needs some sand to sift . A bowlful might work but you'll be picking up as he moves it.
I find it touchy to manage amonia and nitrite in a new q tank . You may wish to include some preseeded media from your current filter or sump. Test for nitrite regularly.
I use copper for treatment but many use hyposalinity with success. I'm sure someone can advise you on bringing it down and up.
I would not use all new water. I would use tank water and bring the salinity down on that. Not because of any denitrifying bacteria it might contain which would be mininmal but because new water contains significant impurities from the salt mix which precipitate in your aquarium. Too much of these in a new water uncycled tank will be harsh on the fish.
Good Luck Tom