Seriously Frustrated - please help!

[dweber618]

Here's the background:

December 1st I lost my Kole tang to ich in my DT. I set up a QT to treat my remaining fish in hypo salinity to rid the ich and hopefully save the remaining fish. Also - I am going to leave my DT fallow until at least March 1st to make sure the ich can complete it's cycle in the DT with no fish.

Currently in my QT are: One Spot Foxface, Blue Damsel, and a Clownfish. I have the salinity down to 1.009. I went to check on everyone and noticed today that my clownfish has Brook....ugh. I've been reading up all morning and can't figure out what to do.

I know PetsMart and Petco don't carry formalin - and my LFS doesn't open for another few hours. Even if I were to get formalin and do formalin dips on my clownfish - my foxface and damsel would still be in the QT and susceptible to it, correct? I might be able to get Quick Cure (I've seen some people try to use that as well). I am most interested in doing a full tank treatment for the Brook since it's likely my other fish could now get it as well.

It's a 20 gallon QT and I don't have anywhere else to put them. I don't want to have the chance of Brook getting into my DT after I go so long during the fallow period

Any suggestions are appreciated, I'm at a loss and really don't want to loose my fish

 

[dweber618]

On another note - I have Maracyn 2, and PraziPro on hand. Will either of those do anything?

 

[dweber618]

Also - I've looked at pictures and am pretty sure it's Brook....he looks fuzzy/hazy, fins a little tatttered, and kind of looks like parts of his skin is falling off (very small spot as of right now)

 

[dweber618]

Okay -

Here are a few pictures, the last one shows the spot on his head. He looks much better now that a few hours have passed...and it's starting to look more like ich.

At first this morning it looked like his slime coat was almost coming off - hence the fuzzy/hazy appearance. He is very actively swimming and eating.

I just finished lowering the salinity to 1.009 this morning. If it is ich - how long does it take before the lower salinity will start to kill off the parasite?

 

[ThRoewer]

In the US you get Formalin MS at Amazon.com. I would go with overnight shipping. Also, better saltwater stores should carry it.

You will have to treat all your fish. You will also need to get another QT to put them in after the dip. One dip may do the trick but also be prepared to do a second or third if you don't see improvement or if you want to be sure.
Additionally you can also dose the QT with the lower, long term dose of Formalin MS.

Until you get formalin a 5 to 10 minute freshwater bath may give the fish some relieve.

 

[dweber618]

Thanks for the response. I can't tell if it's ich, or brook. If it is ich - will the formalin in addition to hypo cause any problems if I were to do the full QT treatment with formalin at a lower dose?

Also - a freshwater dip - I assume fresh RO/DI water and nothing else?

 

[dweber618]

Thankfully my LFS has Formalin MS at their store. Will head there shortly to pick up a bottle.

 

[ThRoewer]

To my knowledge Formalin can be used with hyposalinity.
Though I would still do the baths as they are more effective, especially with active infections.

 

[dweber618]

Thanks again for the feedback. Picked up some formalin and have a second tank up just getting it up to temp right now. Will do a formalin dip for each fish, then put them in the new tank afterwards.

When I go to do another dip - can I place them back in the tank they came from at that point.... Since they've already had one bath? I don't have to keep switching tanks after each bath do I?

 

[dweber618]

Well, he's in the formalin bath. Now that I've got a closer look it's looking more like ich. Hopefully the low salinity will help him out. Here's a better picture.

In watching him though it looks like a lot of the white is falling off in the formalin bath, which I thought was indicative of brook....

 

[ThRoewer]

.... Since they've already had one bath? I don't have to keep switching tanks after each bath do I?

Well, you should clean and sterilize the first tank and then move them back there after the next bath.

Well, he's in the formalin bath. Now that I've got a closer look it's looking more like ich. Hopefully the low salinity will help him out. Here's a better picture.

In watching him though it looks like a lot of the white is falling off in the formalin bath, which I thought was indicative of brook....

Another reason to add TTM to the mix...

 

[dweber618]

Good news to report - I can't get a god picture of him - but he looks much better. No sign of white spots or any other problems for that matter. I gave the foxface and damselfish a formalin bath last night as a precaution.

Everyone is still in hypo and will be for a while.

Thanks for the help - first time I was able to save a fish in time so I'm really hoping he hangs in there.