Trying to get confirmation this is ICK

[Neokane]

Need some second opinions and recommendations for treatment.

I am fairly sure he has ich. Have been trying to catch him to put him in qt tank. However he is extremely shy.

Any help would be Beyond appreciated

Also, Many thanks to my brothers and sisters in arms! Happy Veterans Day

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93893423@N05/10803966865/" title="20131111_121752 by Neokane, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7432/10803966865_bfef84e370_b.jpg" width="1024" height="576" alt="20131111_121752"></a>


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93893423@N05/10804099324/" title="20131111_121710 by Neokane, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3804/10804099324_ffab6dbd4a_b.jpg" width="1024" height="576" alt="20131111_121710"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93893423@N05/10803971575/" title="20131111_121715 by Neokane, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5534/10803971575_864c20426c_b.jpg" width="1024" height="576" alt="20131111_121715"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93893423@N05/10804088504/" title="20131111_121802 by Neokane, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3784/10804088504_628e8ef4de_b.jpg" width="1024" height="576" alt="20131111_121802"></a>

 

[Deinonych]

Really hard to tell from the pictures, but the white dots on his head in the first picture could be ich. Is he scratching or otherwise showing signs of infection (like not eating)? Was this fish quarantined?

 

[Neokane]

He is eating well. He does scratch against the sand. He is incredibly hard to photograph as he is incredibly shy and almost knows I am trying to take his picture. Unfortunately he was not qt'ed. Bought from the lfs, never had any problems from them before. I guess you can't trust anyone :/

 

[MrTuskfish]

I'm not good with pics, so I'll leave the diagnosis alone.

Not really the LFS's fault. There isn't a LFS anywhere that properly quarantines fish; that's our job. Even DD, maybe the best source of fish on the planet, strongly recommends that you use a QT with all of their fish.

 

[Mrscribbled]

Although I'm not seeing ich in the photo, one thing is certain... it won't be long before you know it's for sure ich. Powder blues won't hide it. I'm assuming this fish never saw prazi or any other medications. Therefore it could be any of multiple protazoa/flukes.

 

[Wrench]

With the resources and information at our disposal, I cannot believe that there are still people who don't QT new arrivals.

 

[ca1ore]

Although I'm not seeing ich in the photo, one thing is certain... it won't be long before you know it's for sure ich. Powder blues won't hide it.

Very true!

Abrasion on the side of the fish is obviously not ich. Even the spots on its head and face look like they could be grains of sand, particularly if this fish is hiding under rocks a lot. But mrscribbled is right, PB will quickly show worsening symptoms if it is ich. While you can get away with skipping QT on some fish if you must, PB is def not one of them.

 

[Neokane]

I checked with the LFS, all their fish only tanks have cupramine. they also use fishkeeper as well.

He suggested I start using fishkeeper and treating their food with metronidazole.

 

[Deinonych]

Metronidozole is not a recommended treatment for cryptocaryon. Even if the LFS is running Cupramine, you have no way to know what their levels are. I would assume they are not treating at therapeutic doses and treat with the appropriate level of Cupramine, personally.

I've never heard of Fishkeeper.

 

[Mrscribbled]

Fishkeeper? The controller or fish keeper the minimum wage employee?? As Deinonych stated... many times LFS/wholesalers will run very low copper as to "mask" ich, but not cure. Simply because they also don't want sensitive fish reacting negatively to a full dose of Cu right at the time of acclimation.

 

[Mrscribbled]

I googled Fishkeeper. This is all I have to say about similar products that state no ingredients. I can sell you a bottle of random stuff mixed up, with no clinical research behind it also...

 

[Neokane]

Valid points.. This is my first experience with a unhealthy fish.. So I guess I am the "frantic parent" trying to find the resolution.
I think the 3rd picture shows it best in his pectoral fin. Other than that just the abrasions. I haven't seen any white spots.

Still trying to catch him to qt him.

 

[Psionicdragon]

ick and some heavy scratching

 

[MrTuskfish]

Fishkeeper? The controller or fish keeper the minimum wage employee?? As Deinonych stated... many times LFS/wholesalers will run very low copper as to "mask" ich, but not cure. Simply because they also don't want sensitive fish reacting negatively to a full dose of Cu right at the time of acclimation.

+1 The low dose of Cu also can mask velvet, a deadlier and quicker version of parasite. There simply is no such thing as a LFS that sells fish that do not need to be in a QT---that's our job.

 

[Neokane]

After much reading and consideration, I am trying to acquire/borrow a 30-50 gal tank to hypo all 6 of my fish (2 clowns, 1 6-line, 1 blue velvet Damselfish, 1 Powder blue tang, and a blue hippo)

I plan on keeping them in the separate tank to fallow the dt for 10 weeks. and Treat them with hypo for the 4-5 weeks after last observed ick spot.

Wish me luck!
trying to get the logistics figured out right now.

 

[Mrscribbled]

Giving your livestock, and the many reported failed attempts lately, I'd definitely go with cupramine treatment.

 

[Neokane]

Why the suggestion of cupramine? Are some of my fish more sensitive to hypo than others? Either way I need a fallow period for my DT to prevent reoccur dance.

 

[shifty51008]

cupramine is easier to use. hypo you have to keep the sg at 1.009 at all times, just a tad bit higher from evaporation and you will have to start the treatment all over again.

 

[Neokane]

Ahh... I guess I want to do what is best for the fish. I know that those 6 fish in a 30-50 gal tank is a tight squeeze and I will have to stay on the water quality. I want to eradicate the problem and move on.. Lesson Learned.. QT! QT! QT!

 

[MrTuskfish]

Ahh... I guess I want to do what is best for the fish. I know that those 6 fish in a 30-50 gal tank is a tight squeeze and I will have to stay on the water quality. I want to eradicate the problem and move on.. Lesson Learned.. QT! QT! QT!

Most fish can handle being cramped for a treatment period; long-term success is another story.