Kole tang sick?

[McPuff]

I've had this tang for about a year now and it's never had any issues whatsoever. In the last two weeks, however, it has been showing ich spots and they just don't seem to go away. He also seems to be slightly pale in color It's behavior isn't really changing and he's been grazing all the time just like usual... and he's fat. I have been feeding spectrum pellets 3 times a day but not feeding nori very often. I understand the health benefits associated with nori and I will get back on it... I do not assume this to be the cause of his "illness" but it should help boost immunity. Everything else in the tank is fine and shows no signs of distress. I'm simply unsure why the fish would all of a sudden begin to look unhealthy. Any thoughts/suggestions? Thanks!

 

[snorvich]

When was the last fish added to the tank? Was it quaratined?

 

[HumbleFish]

Do you QT? When was the last fish added? Or even a coral/invert (anything "wet")?

You may have inadvertently added something with Ich to your tank. With fish, it doesn't always show on the skin... Ich can harbor in the gills, unseen to us. Or it can "hitchhike" in on a rock or coral frag because all it takes is one "unlucky" droplet of water.

Once Ich makes it's way into your tank, it spreads and eventually all of your fish are affected. The tang would be more likely to show symptoms (i.e. trophonts under the skin) because of it's thin mucous coat.

 

[McPuff]

Corals have been added but I perform Bayer dips on all corals that go in. I suppose I'm not sure that would kill ich... And as far as ich is concerned, it's something that is always going to be around no matter what. The tang has succumbed to it because he is either stressed or has compromised immunity for some reason. I know some fish are sensitive to nutrients but I have no idea if the Kole is one of them. Phosphates are a bit elevated but nothing that seems to bother the SPS.

 

[McPuff]

Once Ich makes it's way into your tank, it spreads and eventually all of your fish are affected. The tang would be more likely to show symptoms (i.e. trophonts under the skin) because of it's thin mucous coat.

This is not really true. You're more likely to see ich show up on a fish that has compromised health, a fish that lacks scales, or a fish that has been injured. Just because one fish is affected does not mean the others will follow suit. I do not think the other fish will be affected though I am taking precautions.

 

[HumbleFish]

Corals have been added but I perform Bayer dips on all corals that go in. I suppose I'm not sure that would kill ich... And as far as ich is concerned, it's something that is always going to be around no matter what. The tang has succumbed to it because he is either stressed or has compromised immunity for some reason. I know some fish are sensitive to nutrients but I have no idea if the Kole is one of them. Phosphates are a bit elevated but nothing that seems to bother the SPS.

This is not really true. You're more likely to see ich show up on a fish that has compromised health, a fish that lacks scales, or a fish that has been injured. Just because one fish is affected does not mean the others will follow suit. I do not think the other fish will be affected though I am taking precautions.

Don't know what else to say except... good luck with that line of thinking!

 

[snorvich]

I suggest you read this and also this.

 

[McPuff]

Don't know what else to say except... good luck with that line of thinking!

I'm not sure what you are implying so please clarify.

Also an update... the tang does not appear to have ich any longer though it is still pale at times. Still eating a ton.

 

[McPuff]

I suggest you read this and also this.

Thank you for the links. I have certainly read a lot about both diseases over the past couple of decades.

 

[HumbleFish]

I'm not sure what you are implying so please clarify.

Also an update... the tang does not appear to have ich any longer though it is still pale at times. Still eating a ton.

I'm implying that while Ich is "something that is always going to be around" in the confines of the ocean, you can most certainly keep it out of your aquarium thru proper QT protocol. Fish usually manage parasites just fine when they are diluted by about a gazillion gallons of water - in our (relatively) tiny home aquariums, not so much.

 

[Newsmyrna80]

I'm implying that while Ich is "something that is always going to be around" in the confines of the ocean, you can most certainly keep it out of your aquarium thru proper QT protocol. Fish usually manage parasites just fine when they are diluted by about a gazillion gallons of water - in our (relatively) tiny home aquariums, not so much.

True of not only ich but any parasite

 

[McPuff]

I'm implying that while Ich is "something that is always going to be around" in the confines of the ocean, you can most certainly keep it out of your aquarium thru proper QT protocol. Fish usually manage parasites just fine when they are diluted by about a gazillion gallons of water - in our (relatively) tiny home aquariums, not so much.

Yes, good point. I didn't mean to sound defensive I just wanted to be sure I understood your point. I think I may have misread an earlier post of yours. Thanks.