Worms?

[Shellyfish]

1. How old is this aquarium?
It is a 20g QT tank that I seeded with a sponge from my mature reef

2. If less than six months old, what is ammonia level?
0 according to my seachem alert badge and test

3. What is SG of this aquarium? How measured?
1.025 with a refractometer

4. When was the last fish added to this aquarium?
Saturday (4 days ago)

5. Was it quarantined? If so, how? And how long? Was it prophylactically treated? How?
It is currently in QT

6. If you are using a copper based medication, which one? How often do you measure level? When?

I was about to begin cupramine treatment, I added 1ml of it yesterday. This fish is showing signs of ich

7. If you are using hyposalinity, how did you calibrate your refractometer?
Not using

8. Please describe in detail, the appearance of the fish? If there is one or more pimples, are they lumpy? What color?
It is a young lavender tang, about 3". Was eating well up until today. Does have a few ich spots

9. Please describe the behavior of the fish as best you can. Is it acting reclusive? Is it always up towards the top of the aquarium? Is it avoiding light? How active is the fish?
Was very active up until today, is now hiding

10. Is the fish eating? What?
The fish was eating NLS pellets and nori. Did not eat pellets today, did eat some nori.

I purchased the fish on Saturday. I was pretty sure it had ich then. It has been very active and eating well up until today. I did a 20% water change yesterday and then added 1ml of cupramine (20g tank). I figured since the fish was doing really well I could slowly work up to the advised dose. Today he wasn't eating well and hiding. I found 2 worm like things at the bottom of the tank. There is no rock in this tank, just the fish and 2 pvc pipes. I assume these worms came from the fish. I got a video of them (hope it helps) I have no idea what they are or what to do. Hopefully one of you guys knows! I don't want to lose this fish!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pLUVoMcNgQ

 

[HumbleFish]

Ok, I'm really dizzy now (kidding).

Are you sure those didn't come out of the bag (out of the tank the fish came from)? If not, I can only assume they are anchor worms - treatable with Dimilin. But I would PM alprazo or let someone else chime in; get confirmation of this (because I'm less than certain; they kinda look like "fuzzy bristleworms" to me).

 

[Shellyfish]

Sorry about the video I was trying to get as close as I could, but it kept going blurry.

And I'm glad you mentioned bristleworms because I was just now wondering the same thing. Here is my theory: The cycled media I used came from my reef. It came out of a rena XP3 that is filled with live rock and a few sponges for use in my QT tank (they never go back to the main tank). I'm thinking they were in the sponge that I took out and they were not happy about the first dose of cupramine and came out of the sponge and got dumped into the tank? does that sound feasible?

If that is likely, it still doesn't explain the fish not eating today. I wonder if it could be the cupramine? I only put 1ml in which is half the advised dose.

 

[HumbleFish]

And I'm glad you mentioned bristleworms because I was just now wondering the same thing. Here is my theory: The cycled media I used came from my reef. It came out of a rena XP3 that is filled with live rock and a few sponges for use in my QT tank (they never go back to the main tank). I'm thinking they were in the sponge that I took out and they were not happy about the first dose of cupramine and came out of the sponge and got dumped into the tank? does that sound feasible?

Sounds very feasible. The entire time I was watching that video I'm thinking "bristleworms" in the back of my mind. After getting this additional info; I wouldn't worry about these worms unless you actually see them on the fish.

If that is likely, it still doesn't explain the fish not eating today. I wonder if it could be the cupramine? I only put 1ml in which is half the advised dose.

Appetite suppression is very common with Cupramine. I would test your copper before adding any more. You may need to do a WC, and decrease the copper level if he still isn't eating in the next day or two.

 

[Shellyfish]

My only concern with decreasing the copper is how do I treat the ich? I'm going to try some mysis soaked in selcon tonight, see if that does it.

 

[HumbleFish]

My only concern with decreasing the copper is how do I treat the ich? I'm going to try some mysis soaked in selcon tonight, see if that does it.

You may need to decrease the copper level until he's eating again; and then ramp it back up *slowly* and see if he adjusts better to it the second time around. If not, you may want to consider an alternative method; such as TT.

 

[Shellyfish]

He's eating again, he gobbled up the mysis and ate the pellets as well.