Sick Clownfish acting Psychotic

[R. Rinaldi]

I recently bought two Ocellaris (1.5") for my 75g reef, which has been running with live rock / live sand only (no fish, no corals) for about 18 months after a move to a new house. These two new clowns developed Ick within a day or two and one died after about four days. The survivor seemed to recover and the white spots disappeared and have not re-appeared for at least ten (10 days).

This clown is now in a 10g quarantine tank undergoing hyposalinity. Specific gravity was lowered to 1.010 over about five days. Temperature is 78.

Here are the current symptoms: White spots are gone, but his color is darker - It looks like he has black soot all over him, especially on his back near dorsal fin. Occasional nibbles, but for the most part a lack of appetite. Heavy breathing and his swim patterns are very erratic, almost psychotic with lots of darting. No scratching symptoms.

Looking for explanation:
Ich?
Hyposalinty effects?
Ammonia? Nitrite? in quarantine tank?
He doesn't like me peering in at him?

Any thoughts?

 

[stykthyn]

could be black ich. hard to say without a pic. I would try to medicate with maracyn II or formalin. If that doesnt work i would add copper as a last resort.