Ick or not...

[spoonman1979]

Recently added a Hippo tang to the DT after a few weeks of quarantine. About three days he has been breaking out with a few white spots seemingly ick. However he seems very healthy swimming well, eating voraciously, and no scratching. Is there something that causes spots but has no other symptoms? I have never treated ick before...

 

[snorvich]

Ick, Hepatus tangs are high risk for cryptocaryon irritans. Please read the stickies. A few weeks of quarantine is not sufficient.

 

[MrTuskfish]

Fish in the early stages of an ich invasion often don't show symptoms. When this fish went into your DT without treatment, all of your fish now have it. Read the ich stickies, as Snorvich suggested. The fact that he was in a QT was a great decision; the fact that the fish probably has ich, shows why. But (IMO&IME) , 6 weeks is minimum QT time. BTW, its also possible that ich was already in your DT, waiting for the right time. In any case, all of your fish need to be treated now and your DT left fishless for 9+ weeks.

 

[spoonman1979]

I have been learning more about the disease as I have been researching. I was unaware that ick can be present without visible symptoms, hidden on gills ect. It seems as though cupramine is the way to go, however I have flame angel and coral beauty whom are sensitive to copper. Should I just do hypo salinity for them? I would then leave the DT fishless for 10 weeks...

 

[MrTuskfish]

I have been learning more about the disease as I have been researching. I was unaware that ick can be present without visible symptoms, hidden on gills ect. It seems as though cupramine is the way to go, however I have flame angel and coral beauty whom are sensitive to copper. Should I just do hypo salinity for them? I would then leave the DT fishless for 10 weeks...

I assume you have too many fish to use tank-transfer You did some excellent research, Flame Angers are very copper-sensitive. Coral Beauties can usually handle Cupramine at about .35 though. This is lower than the Cupramine bottle says to dose, but is very effective against ich. How to proceed is your call. I hesitate to suggest Hypo, although other folks swear by it. What are you going to use as a treatment tank and how many fish? Knowing that will help with suggestions.

 

[spoonman1979]

Working on that now... Stock list is two dwarf angels, 3 bangaii cardinals, 2 perculas, diamond goby, flame hawk, 2 blue chromis, and the two tangs that are only about 3". I have a 29 gallon QT and I will have to buy another set up as well since all these can't fit in the 29. Will two 29 gal tanks work? What would be the best split? Thanks!

 

[MrTuskfish]

2- 29 gal tanks should work. I'd just separate the tangs and angels; the rest go 50/50 wherever. Good luck, you're taking this seriously and should be OK.