Still scratching after tank transfers

[Chihuahua6]

Two Clarkii Clowns were purchased 12/29.

Eight tank transfers have been done so far and they are both scratching their gill area today. Transfers took place on: 1/1, 1/3, 1/5, 1/7, 1/9, 1/12, 1/14, 1/17

I did extra transfers to keep ammonia in check. I don't understand why they're itchy today. They scratched a few times before but not on a daily basis.

They have also been: freshwater dipped, formalin bathed, treated with Prazipro.
I guess I need to copper treat them now

 

[jjk_reef00]

I feel for you, I went through the same thing, Ich after tank transfer. The only thing I can think of is somehow some form of the paracite was also transfered while transfering the fish. I use copper on all fish, but may try Chloroquine Phosphate just for the heck of it. But I will qt after the CP treatment and watch very closely for a long period before adding to my display.

 

[keithhays]

Well, you will need to do something. If you are opposed to copper, it just so happens that I had to two clowns with ich and I used rid ich plus from Kordon. It is formalin and malachite green. I don't like to give direct advice for something I haven't used, so I can't recommend anything else. Follow the instructions exactly and it will work. It is not a dip, it is used in a hospital tank and dosed daily.

 

[Chihuahua6]

I don't see how that's possibly in my case. I take them out with my hands and put them into the new tank with only the moisture that is directly on the fish.
I think there are many more variables to the ich life cycle than has been previously studied.

 

[Chihuahua6]

They were treated with formalin both directly in the tank for several days (tank dose) and also bathed in a higher dose.

I am not necessarliy opposed to copper. I just figured since I had to change the water so frequently anyway that I might as well use the tank transfer method at the same time. I am so annoyed. I could have had them in copper for three weeks by now. Now I have to start the clock again.

 

[keithhays]

They were treated with formalin both directly in the tank for several days (tank dose) and also bathed in a higher dose.

I am not necessarliy opposed to copper. I just figured since I had to change the water so frequently anyway that I might as well use the tank transfer method at the same time. I am so annoyed. I could have had them in copper for three weeks by now. Now I have to start the clock again.

I don't blame you for being upset. Both the copper and the formalin mixture will take an exact amount with an exact amount of water and alot longer than several days. They will likely be treated for weeks. I believe I treated for 30 days, but the number of days in the agent will be specific to the product your are treating with. Scientific studies of ich have shown that ich can remain in a tank with no fish for upto 72 days, so even after you follow the treatment and fish are no longer sick, you need to keep them out of the original aquarium.

As always you will hear all kinds of things out here. Look for very well known people to endorse a particular thing. They will usually do this as a full articles and not just in the forums. They will generally give you a significant amount of evidence in favor of the most likely thing to do.

Good luck

 

[keithhays]

This would be one of many articles:
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2004/1/mini

 

[keithhays]

One more thing: if you are a House fan. Be more Dr. House and less Cameron.

 

[Chihuahua6]

One more thing: if you are a House fan. Be more Dr. House and less Cameron.

LOL love it!

 

[jason_bradbury]

i read a lot of threads on this and someone said dr G's anti paracite frozen fish food is the way to go..im trying to find it myself..i googled it and found it online though

 

[Chihuahua6]

One more thing: if you are a House fan. Be more Dr. House and less Cameron.

I love House lol. Love the analogy.

After ich from almost every fish I purchased from local fish stores as well as several from fellow reefers I am now going to copper all new purchases along with dipping, worming and observing over time.

I was so afraid to lose these Clowns because their coloring is so special that I treated them for everything. I feel bad that the little things are scratching and doomed to another month in their little tank. It's also more time, energy and money wasted on constant water changes for another month (no seeded sponge available.)

I have another treatment tank containing three fish that are also being treated. Several days into treatment they were feeling much better. Ugh. I never had so many problems with ich before. Copper is my new best friend.

 

[triggreef]

I started my TTM on the 4th. 3 days behind you. I havent been able to observe them through glass yet so who really knows. This puts a hit on my previously high confidence level though.