To treat or not to treat?

[jasontammy]

That is the question I pose the panel of experts. I recently bought a powder brown tang and the next morning he has mild signs of ick on body and fins. He is in a stocked reef tank and would be very difficult to catch, there are only two other small fish in the tank. So the question is should I risk treatment, what to use and if a mild case could it solve it self? The fish is very active and is eating great.

 

[Mariner]

IMO, there is no reef safe effective treatment. You could leave him, feed him well and hope he can fight off the ich himself. But even if he does, you still might have ich in your tank and any new additions would be susceptible to it. The only foolproof method is to remove the fish, treat them in a hospital tank for 6-8 weeks (either with copper or hyposalinity) and let your display tank remain fishless for that time. The ich in the display will die out over that period due to lack of a host.
FWIW,
Mariner

 

[H@rry]

I agree with Mariner. Feed him well and hope his immune system shakes the ich. Tangs are ick magnets and are very susceptible to it when stressed. Feeding quality food will lesson the stress. Some people claim that food soaked in garlic will help as well but I've never tried that.

 

[8BALL_99]

If he is going to be very hard to catch I'd just leave him be. If you stress him more your just increasing the chance he will kick the bucket.

 

[jasontammy]

Thanks everyone. That is the approtch I was wanting to take. Tha fish is doing well at this time. Every time I have tried to put a fish in a hopital tank they seem to die fast. Lets all keep our fingers crossed. Harry, I was told you have some great frags. Send me a PM about what you are selling. Thanks everyone, Jason

 

[jasontammy]

Update on PB tang

Update on PB tang

This morning he only has a few spots on his fin and the spots on his body are gone. I shredded an algea strip in with his brine shrimp and tricked him into eating it. I'm guessing he's just less stressed and settled down in his new home, and looking much better this morning. Thank you for your replies and advice.