Parasite Infestation

W

WhiteShark1

New member
I have a 75 gallon reef tank that I believe has become infested with flukes or some other various parasites. I already have fish, corals and invertebrates in the tank along with quite a lot of live rock (about 133 lbs). I have noticed all of my fish have begun to scratch themselves on the rocks. I believe the problem began when I purchased a white sleeper goby and he began to stir my sand bed a lot. Before this the only fish that I had scratching himself periodically was a yellow wrasse, but after the purchase of the goby (and seeing him stir my sand bed a lot) I noticed all of the other fish beginning to scratch (I believe the problem either started with the yellow wrasse, or was hidden in the sand bed to be released by the goby). None of them have any outward signs of infection (no white spots, gash's, black or red marks, etc) and they all eat normally (like there is no tomorrow actually). With all the rock work in my tank I wont be able to catch the fish unless I were to completely tear the tank apart (which I'm not going to do). I'm concerned to use any type of medication due to the fact that I already have corals in my tank (Xenia and a Galaxia). Anybody have a solution for this type of problem?

My levels are all Great (0's across the board, salinity 1.024, temp 78 ph 8.4, calcium 400, alk 11.25) and I run a protein skimmer and UV sterilizer in my sump as well.
 
Sounds like Ich to me? Do you have a photo? I know of people that have used kick- Ich in their reef with good results. I would personally treat in a Qt if you don't have one buy rubbermaid bins their just as good if not better as a large Qt will cost you more.
I do understand what your concerns are as far as tearing down catching fish,stress, ect...I personally have lost all my my fish trying to do Reef -Safe meds in the past so Im not a big fan.> I tried stop parasite
and all that seemed to do is throw my water off! Tried Kick Ich but my fish were on their way out at this point so don't know if it would have worked ?
FYI>Jungle makes a medicated food for parasites that's safe you can look into that to see if it will take care of flukes?
 
sick fish

sick fish

I don't believe its itch for the fact that they have no external signs (yet) of itch. No white dot's or anything. Plus my wrasse spazes out during the day and flicks his head up and down like something is biting him. My LFS said that sounds like it could be fluke and from the research I've done online I think they could be correct. I've tried cathing fish in my tank in order to QT them or give them a freshwater dip and its impossible. There are just to many places for them to hide and tearing down the tank is just to much of a hassle and may cause more problems than good (example: kililng my corals, inverts, possibly crushing a fish, disturbing the water paramenters, etc).
 
maybe a fish trap?
Yeah prazipro from what I heard/fresh water dip. I checked jungle anti parasite food and it's only for internal parasites.
I used an acrylic container at each end of my tangs fav sleeping spot and used a net overhead he only had 2 ways out then ,and he went right into container but this req 2 people a lot easier and less stess on fish.
 
Yeah I've tried the whole reverse bottle trap thing (didn't work). I think the issue is at this point even if I were to treat them outside the tank the infestation would still be in the tank so they would just get recontaminated when I put them back in the tank.

I was thinking of trying the fluke treatment from www.nosickfish.com . Ever used them before?
 
Never heard of it ?
maybe try Re-Posting asking for> HELP! I'm sure other members that have more exp with this can help as I'm still learning after 2 years and have never had anything other than ICH
I had always FWD new fish for ext parasites but this is not a bulletproof remedy but it does help get the majority of them off.
Wish I could help more but I don't want to give you the wrong advice
Best of luck to you
Take care,
 
Thanks. It appears I have flukes...Now if I can just catch the fish for a fresh water dip...

Glad to know I'm not the only one with this problem though. Thanks again....
 
Well for right now the wrasse that I have is the one that is the worest off. I've seen the other fish scratch every once and awhile but not nearly as much. I'm planning on going with a fresh water and formulin dip. Again dependent upon actually catching the wrasse. He swims around my tank at like Mach 2 or something and there is no way I'm gonna remove 133 lb of rock to get him out. I'm trying to trap him in the morning as he comes out of the sand bed (provided he doesn't shoot around the net). I'm also gonna try feeding the fish with the net in the tank gradually bringing it closer and closer to them to see if I can catch him that way. So far other than the scratching/twitching he's fine. Still eats, no scratches, or other signs of sickness/injury so I think I have alittle bit of time to treat him. Strange thing is he's been doing this for 2 months but is still eating normally and swimming around normally?
 
From what I have read "correct me if I'm wrong" but if flukes are in your system you have to treat the system too otherwise they will just get re-infected once they go back in from the dip.
Did you read the thread I gave you? it had some great info on prazipro
I know you dont want to treat your tank but maybe read the thread all the way through it seems like your only alternative at this point?
Wish I could help more.... Ive been trying to read up on flukes because I have No exp what so ever with them but just trying to help you out that thread had great info.

take care
 
Yes I did read it through and I realize that is a possibility (to treat the tank with medication), but due to the fact that I already have corals and inverts in my tank, medication is not really an option. I'm going to try to treat the wrasse with a freshwater dip and see if this helps him at all. The other option would unfortunately be to just let the tank lie fallow for a month or so and force the flukes to starve (if they do kill off my fish). I'm hoping it wont come to that though.
 
That, "yes I did read it through and I do realize that" was not meant to be an obnoxious response, I just mean I know that is a very real possibility.

Thanks for all the research and help you've provided though
:-)
 
Hi, hope all is well :)
aww I hope you didn't take it that way? believe me I'm here to learn as well. I am in no position to give advice being I've had my tank almost 2 years but kept 2 sets of fish for 3 months!> due to Ich. I almost gave up!but... I love the hobby and I love to help out if I can. With that said I would never be obnoxious?> if I even spelled that right lol it's almost 2 am but really> I hope you didn't take it that way :) I just feel for you as I know the stress your going through trying to treat these fish and find the best outlook for them and have a happy medium for your corals ect.. it's just hard once its in the display
keep us posted and take care Im off to bed ....:)

Shawna
 
oh, no no no, I didn't take what you said as obnoxious, I meant I hope you didn't take what I said as obnoxious...Thanks again for the help...

On a side note does anyone know if flukes have any natural predators (ie, cleaner wrasses, neon gobies, etc). I'm sure something in the wild must eat them but I'm curious if that "something" can be put into our tanks...
 
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