My weakness, need suggestions

[slgcmg]

I got back in the hobby last spring and started a nice 180 that is doing very well. Stocked with several lps, sailfin, naso, regal, fox face, and some anthias and chromis.. Couple of clams and 3 cleaner shrimp and a harlequin.

My problem is that I have gone through 3 powder blues and can't keep one alive. This is my dream fish and I have lost 3. 2 because they refused to eat, an done because it got ich pretty bad even though it was in qt.

This is the final fish I want to add, can anyone provide any suggestions on where to get one from. I have tried saltwaterfish.com and two lfs, one that QT it's fish for 4 weeks.

 

[danimallaminad]

Talk to your local fish store and see if you could have them order one and qt it there and have them make sure its eating before buying.

 

[slgcmg]

I didn't even think they would do that. I will check one tomorrow. Here's a pic of my tank.

 

[Deinonych]

LiveAquaria has PBTs on Diver's Den every so often. Chances are much better that one purchased from them will fare better.

edit: just checked the site, and they have one for sale right now: http://www.liveaquaria.com/diversden/ItemDisplay.cfm?c=2733+3&ddid=211030

 

[jschultzbass]

+1 on Divers Den

 

[slgcmg]

when they do the divers den, are they usually actively eating and about how long are they there for?

 

[Deinonych]

Depends on the species. All of their fish are in their facility for a minimum of two weeks. Some sensitive species spend more time being conditioned.

http://www.liveaquaria.com/general/general.cfm?general_pagesid=377

 

[Vinny Kreyling]

Powder Blues are often called "Ick Magnets".

 

[Deinonych]

Powder Blues are often called "Ick Magnets".

Yep. That's why even PBTs from Diver's Den need to go through a full quarantine.

 

[Dr Colliebreath]

I too suggest you obtain one from Diver's Den and quarantine it before putting it in your tank. You need to maintain pristine water conditions for these fish.

 

[Blueline12]

I think you will be having issues with adding a PBT no matter what as confirmed by your 3 lost. You need prime conditions to keep one of these and you have set yourself up for failure. By that I mean you have 4 tangs in a 180g.

I have one Achilles in my 180g. He's the biggest fish and there are no other tangs. I would never think about putting in another tang. Not because I am the tang police but because I want the best health for my Achilles and adding more tangs would surely stress him out.

Any PBT you put in your tank will be immediately stressed due to the other tangs you have. Stress brings on ich as well and leads to failure to eat.

If you want a PBT I suggest you get rid of all your other tangs.

 

[brett7768]

did he have ich and die in QT or did he have it in the main tank? if it was in the main tank then the parasite is living in that tank as long as there is even one fish there. stress does not bring on ich. its a parasite and it has a life cycle. to rid a tank of ich you must take out ALL fish for a period of 9-12 weeks. there are stickies on this in the fish disease forum

 

[68551]

How about Blue Zoo Aquatics? I got a baby Hippo tang a month ago & after hiding for a week he is doing great!!! ....And no ich which they are also famous for!!!!

 

[slgcmg]

I will look into those places. I have had some fish including my regal that had ich for about 3 days when I first got them and they are all great now, several months later.

I have seen many tanks in my area that have had 4-5 tangs in a tank my size and all were completely healthy. I totally get an Achilles being alone, but recently saw a purple, powder blue, regal, yellow, sohal, and Achilles in a 210. They had been in the for 4 years and the person was breaking it down because he had to move.

As far as my params here is a quick breakdown

Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10
Ph 8.4
Salinity 1.025
Calcium 420
Alk 9dkh
Mag 1380
Phosphate .25
Temp range is 77-78

 

[guserto4]

Perhaps if you keep getting your powder blue from the same LFS the source is the problem. It sounds like you've got good water (nitrate is on the outer edge tho), so I'd try DD, assuming Ich stayed in QT.

 

[brett7768]

youre regal had ich for 3 days? did u treat him with anything? copper, hypo? do you have a qt set up at home or are u relying on the lfs to qt?

 

[SomeDude12]

If you've added this Powder Blue to your aquarium, then Cryptocaryon's are currently in your DT. QT, prior to to insure it doesn't have it, won't do anything for preventing it in the DT. Even though this will be the case, I do highly suggest QT any newly received livestock separately, before entering the DT.

Here's some details on my QT. I explain why it's not just a good idea for disease prevention, but a number of other reasons. See videos below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op50O-rjINc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lOvhsj22N0

 

[Pko9876]

and one because it got ich pretty bad even though it was in qt.

Does anyone read anymore

 

[mbingha]

I will look into those places. I have had some fish including my regal that had ich for about 3 days when I first got them and they are all great now, several months later.

Does anyone read anymore

Such a meaningful contribution :banghead: it looks like his regal had it and he hasn't mentioned weather that was in qt or not.

To the op if any of your fish had ich while in the dt you have ich. Weather you see the symptoms now or not, it's there.

 

[slgcmg]

Yes. My regal had it in the DT but it went away pretty quickly. He has been eating healthy and growing since and had no visible signs.

Here are my params
Ammonia and nitrite 0
Nitrate 5-10
Ph 8.5
Calcium 420
Alk 9 dkh
Salinity 1.025
Mag 1380
Temp 77-78