Is this ich or brook?

[Darth Vedder]

I recently acquired a pair of clowns from a locals reef tank

They have been in an observation QT tank before they get into my system water and I noticed the female is showing signs of what I think is crytocarryon irritants



The male is showing no signs but I wanted to make sure this wasn't brook or something else before I start a treatment regiment.

I wouldn't think it was brook as he had these for years, but I did notice some ich on his powder blue so I know they were at least exposed to ich

It doesn't look as decimate as what I usually see as ich so wanted a second opinion before I start treatment

 

[Jeff4777]

Going to say ich. Almost looks like brook though. Especially if you saw ich on another fish in the previous tank, you know for a fact he/she was exposed and both should be treated as carriers/infected even if this wasn't ich observed. The stress of moving could of let his immune system slip, allowing the ich to take grasp. Should be a easy save though! Hope you go ttm rather than copper!

 

[snorvich]

Brook

 

[ThRoewer]

When in doubt, treat for brook - it's the by far more deadly parasite.
Though I'm not sure if it's either.

My recommendation would be to start with a formalin bath and then do TTM with more formalin baths when doing the transfers. Additionally you may also dose the TTM tanks with CP. This should cover pretty much all the things that may cause this.

 

[Darth Vedder]

I was thinking I should do formalin bath but didn't want to if it definstly wasn't since I know that stuff is harsh

I have some fresh formalin so I will do start that right away. Thanks

 

[ThRoewer]

Formalin isn't as harsh to the fish as brook, velvet, uronema and a whole laundry list of other parasites formalin kills.
I give every of my new fish a formalin bath, especially clownfish.

 

[Darth Vedder]

So just to make sure I want 1 ml formalin per gallon, and aerate for 2 hours before performing the dip right?

 

[ThRoewer]

Yes, though I usually skip the two hours of pre-aeration - I didn't find it necessary.

 

[microlady]

formalin isn't as harsh to the fish as brook, velvet, uronema and a whole laundry list of other parasites formalin kills.
I give every of my new fish a formalin bath, especially clownfish.

yes!

 

[Darth Vedder]

I did the first dip today, 55 minutes without any issues.

The spots still seem to be on the female, if it is brook should there be q visible difference after the hour long dip or is it gradual improvement after they are back in the QT tank between dips?

 

[ThRoewer]

It can take a few days for the whitish patches to disappear. The patches are not the parasite but the fish's reaction to it (inflammation of tissue and excess slime production).
You should see however an improvement behavior and breathing.

 

[Darth Vedder]

Thanks

 

[krullshards]

Any update on your clown fish? How's it doing?

 

[Darth Vedder]

She seems to be doing ok. After the formalin dip it has helped clear up some of it and I will be doing a second today

I am still not 100 percent sure what it is but she hasn't gotten worse so I'm hopeful that the dips and ttm will eradicate whatever it is. I'll put up a new picture once I have her in the specimen container today for comparison

 

[kouma]

I was thinking I should do formalin bath but didn't want to if it definstly wasn't since I know that stuff is harsh

I have some fresh formalin so I will do start that right away. Thanks

What product did you use, Formalin-MS?

 

[snorvich]

Sounds good so far.

 

[Darth Vedder]

What product did you use, Formalin-MS?

Yes, formalin MS

I used 1 ml per gallon in the dip which should be about 100 ppm.

Prior to the dip I did today, the white stuff near the top of her head actually is looking worse. Her behavior is about the same, so I may be overanalyzing.

One question I have is 10 ppm enough? I have found a few articles that suggest 200-250 ppm for a dip and 25 ppm for a bath

Following the instructions in the bottle of Formalin MS is 100 ppm for the dip. I was able to do 55 mins for not dips so far but if it's not enough to be effective I will up the concentration for the next one.

Also, should I keep the QT tank between dips at the 25 ppm concentration or should I transfer into a new QT with different water after the dip. I have a feeling of its in the QT tank, I am just reintroducing her to the parasite after the dip

I also noticed she had a long white stringy poo today after the dip. Should I run prazipro in the QT between dips instead? I thought brook kills in less than 72 hours, but it has been about that long since I first noticed the white on her and so now my paranoia makes me keep checking the tank nonstop to make sure she is still behaving normally

 

[Darth Vedder]

Oh I forgot to mention that I forgot to take the pic like I planned when doing the dip today. Hopefully I remember next time

I do have to say it seems like all I do anymore is treat and QT fish. I took a 3 year break and just got back into the hobby around October of last year so most of my fish are still in qT and haven't made it to the display yet. Last time I ran my system a few years ago I never had these problems. Almost every time I got a new fish I just did an observation period and never had any symptoms. Almost every fish I have gotten from various LfS and other reefers this time has multiple issues. Has the state of the livestock in this hobby declined or is it I was less experienced when I first started and just didn't identify the inflictions before?

 

[snorvich]

Almost every fish I have gotten from various LfS and other reefers this time has multiple issues. Has the state of the livestock in this hobby declined or is it I was less experienced when I first started and just didn't identify the inflictions before?

Perhaps both.

 

[microlady]

Oh I forgot to mention that I forgot to take the pic like I planned when doing the dip today. Hopefully I remember next time

I do have to say it seems like all I do anymore is treat and QT fish. I took a 3 year break and just got back into the hobby around October of last year so most of my fish are still in qT and haven't made it to the display yet. Last time I ran my system a few years ago I never had these problems. Almost every time I got a new fish I just did an observation period and never had any symptoms. Almost every fish I have gotten from various LfS and other reefers this time has multiple issues. Has the state of the livestock in this hobby declined or is it I was less experienced when I first started and just didn't identify the inflictions before?

I agree. I just returned to saltwater a couple of years ago after being out for about ten years, and almost every new fish I've acquired this past year has had parasites. I even had a tank wipeout, and that never happened before. My quarantine protocol used to be a couple of weeks and I've learned the hard way, and by reading on these forums, that I should have doubled that time period. Good luck!