FAQs on Marine Ich,
Cryptocaryoniasis (and Other Protozoans) & Treating Sensitive
Fishes: Tangs & Rabbitfishes 4
Related Articles: Marine Ich: Fighting The War On Two Fronts
Cryptocaryoniasis, Parasitic Disease,
Quarantine, Quarantine of Marine
Fishes,
Related FAQs: Tangs/Rabbits Crypt 1, Tangs/Rabbits Crypt 2, Tangs/Rabbits Crypt 3, & Tang Disease, Tang Health/Disease 2, Tang Health/Disease 4, Tang Health/Disease 5, Tang Disease 6, Tang Disease 7, Tang Disease
8, Tang Health
9, Tang
Disease 10, Rabbitfish Disease, Best
Crypt FAQs, Crypt FAQs 1,
Crypt FAQs 2, Crypt FAQs 3, Crypt
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Name: Free Copper/Cupric Ion Compounds
(e.g. SeaCure), Chelated
Coppers (e.g. Copper Power, ), Formalin Containing: (e.g. Quick Cure),
About: Hyposalinity & Ich,
Treating for Crypt & Sensitive
Fishes: By Group: Sharks/Rays, Morays and other Eels, Mandarins/Blennies/Gobies, Wrasses, Angels and
Butterflyfishes, Puffers &
Kin... & Parasitic Marine
Tanks, Parasitic Reef Tanks,
Marine Velvet
Disease, Biological Cleaners, Treating Parasitic Disease, Using Hyposalinity to Treat Parasitic
Disease, Infectious
Disease,
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Surgeonfishes: Tangs for Marine Aquariums
Diversity, Selection & Care
New eBook on Amazon: Available here
New Print Book on Create Space: Available
here
by Robert (Bob) Fenner |
|
My ich magnet tank 3/25/18
I always wanted the challenge of keeping lots of Achilles tangs-37 of them. I
thought you might get a kick of this! I might add some more in the near future.
<Neat! Mind if I post this w/ your stmt. on WWM?
Thanks Pablo, BobF>
Go ahead.
<<Shown: Pablo's pic w/ the Achilles (dark), and a shot of him and his 1,400
gallon tank I shot while visiting in 2005>>
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New Fish (Tang) - Quarantine
11/9/17
Good afternoon Crew,
I feel your forum has a mixed bag of answers,
<... we don't have a forum>
and although I was pretty confident with my previous decision, I'm now
undecided. I've successfully treated numerous fish for crypt via
Cupramine in the past and have yet to experience a loss during that
process.
<Acanthurids don't tolerate copper exposure well>
I enjoy the comfort of knowing I have a crypt free tank.
<I doubt this is the case... Most all hobbyist systems (99 plus percent)
have resident Cryptocaryon et al. infestations>
In Sept I bought a Kole Tang that I knew had Crypt, and requested both a
guaranty on the fish and $ discount from the store because of this. The
Tang was active, alert, plump, and feeding... thus I figured he'd be a
good
candidate to QT and utilize Cupramine to get him healthy for my display.
Finished the 16 day treatment and he was still feeding and looked
vibrant and healthy, so I introduced him to my display tank. 60g with
two Picasso clowns, yellow watchman goby, royal gramma, and a rose BTA.
Everyone left
him alone and for the first few days he was somewhat shy, but still
active.
Approaching the two week mark in the display tank he remained hidden and
I can't recall seeing him eat in the display tank ever, although I
purposely left some hair algae alone for him to pick at. Roughly two
weeks, the Kole
Tang died. I know I used the proper dosage of Cupramine, and if I was
slightly off... I was likely slightly a lower dose than higher.
Previously Bob Fenner suggested that Tangs are definitely more sensitive
to copper treatments than other fish.
<Ah yes>
Maybe it was the Cupramine?
<Quite possibly a contributor>
Maybe it was something from the collection process - but then I'd
suspect perhaps this fish wouldn't have been active and feeding for the
first few weeks. Maybe he grazed my BTA, but I wonder if touching my BTA
could cause a two week decline and death in my Tang? Stumped.
<I agree w/ all your speculations>
So, in a long winded question... I'm afraid to add a new Tang directly
to my display tank. This seems like the least stressful way to introduce
a Tang, but I'm very concerned with a new Tang bringing crypt back into
my
tank.
<You are wise here>
If it was you, how would you introduce a new tang?
<Isolation, sans treatment for a few weeks, lowered spg (1.012).
Possibly CP feeding>
I do have a 20g bare bottom QT available. I hate any fish loss, and just
want to do what's best for my existing reef community as well as any new
acquisition. Thanks again!!
Dave
<Welcome. Bob Fenner>
Re: New Fish (Tang) - Quarantine 11/9/17
Thanks. So, I assume gradually lower salinity from store water to the
1.012, and then eventually up it to my tank that sits at 1.023?
<Yes>
Possibly CP Feedings?
<... Please search WWM re Chloroquine Phosphate use>
Not following you there.
Dave
<Sorry re. BobF>
Achilles Tang 10/27/17
Greetings WWM Crew!
<Hey Dan!>
I hope all is well. I have been wanting to keep a small (~4") Achilles tang in
my 5-ft. mixed reef tank. I understand I will have to move the Achilles at some
point, but I think I will be able to enjoy a small one for a couple of years.
<At least... if raised from small, a five foot long system might do for several
years>
My aquascape is open with swim throughs. Strong, non-linear flow. I have an
efficient nutrient export system where my nitrates (<5ppm) and phosphate
(<0.03ppm) are low.
<All good>
All my inhabitants are healthy and happy with an occasional spat between the
purple & yellow tangs.
<Ah, yes>
I have a lot of wrasse for pest control & aesthetic reasons: 3 leopard wrasses
(bipartitus, meleagris, and choati) ~4" each, red Coris wrasse ~7", 2 different
fairy wrasses ~ 4" each, yellow Coris ~4", melanurus wrasse ~4"
2 Zebrasomas for algae control: purple tang ~6" and yellow tang ~4"
2 cleaner shrimps
10-12 peppermint shrimps for Aiptasia control
various snails
My husbandry in terms of feeding is 4-5 different types of algae based pellets
in the morning and then LRS, Rods, & PE Mysis at night.
<Tres bien!>
My main concern is aggression with the Zebrasomas, particularly with the yellow
tang. He is just territorial with a particular cave in my reef
tank, otherwise he does not bother anyone. I can always use my acclimation
box and/or mirror on the side of the tank trick to reduce aggression, but
re-aquascaping is highly unlikely due to my corals. So, I want your
opinion if it is a good, worthwhile endeavor to try a small achilles tang?
<If the Achilles is small; as you state, about four inches overall or less,
you should see only minor "jousting" twixt it and the Zebrasomas>
Many thanks in advance.
Dan
<As many welcomes. Do please write back w/ your observations. Bob Fenner>
Re: Achilles Tang 11/1/17
Hi Bob or Crew at WWM,
<Hey Dan>
Thank you for the quick response with my last correspondence and your invitation
to report back on my quest to find an Achilles tang. As you know, the Hawaiian
legislation is making the search difficult with all my LFS. Luckily, I just
found a suitable size, 3 ½ inch Achilles at LiveAquaria.
<Ah yes, and good>
I have the following questions regarding the quarantine process:
1. I have a 15 gallon quarantine tank that has served me well in terms of
acclimating difficult to keep fishes like my leopard wrasses. What are your
thoughts in terms of a 3 ½ inch Achilles, would it be more beneficial to have a
short QT period (~ 1 week) vs. a full QT period (2+ weeks)?
<Likely somewhere either one or two weeks; only to be determined by your
observations of the fish's apparent health, stability>
The thought here is to get the Achilles in a larger, surging display tank with
stable water parameters asap.
<Yes>
My methodology is always to observe and then react based on how the fish is
behaving.
<Mine as well>
2. When it comes to treating delicate fishes with medication, I do not treat my
QT tank if the fish does not show any sign of parasite/disease. I think copper,
etc. will cause undue stress and maybe more deleterious, especially when it is
not necessary.
<Very harsh on this species. I would resort to other (albeit less effective
treatment moda: extreme drop in spg... 1.010; perhaps consecutive pH adjusted
freshwater dips/baths, and moves to re-set up system... to exclude intermediate
phases>
I may perform a preventive dip prior to transferring it to the main display
tank.
<Yes I would; as well as one on the way into quarantine from shipping>
I use Blue Life Safety Stop, it is a 2-parts dip (part 1 is formalin and part 2
is Methylene blue).
<Ah yes; am very familiar>
If the Achilles shows no sign of parasite/disease, should I even use the dip at
all?
<I would dip unless the fish is shaky from being moved>
Again, I want to minimize as much stress as possible.
<Understood>
Being in this hobby for years, I always appreciate your work & contribution to
help hobbyists like myself and further this niche, challenging, but rewarding
hobby.
Best,
Dan
<Cheers, Bob Fenner>
Kole Tang; hlth., and Cu f'
10/18/17
Good afternoon Crew,
<Dave>
I unfortunately experienced a loss in my tank last night - my Kole tang.
I've had a Kole Tang previously for years... a curious outgoing fish
that was constantly on the move. I have a shallow 60g tank, 79f, 1.024
salinity, no signs of nitrates/nitrites/ammonia - although I have been
purposely
allowing a little hair algae to grow for the upcoming arrival of my Kole
Tang. I'd say overall I feed rather lightly, sometimes every second day
(but am observing my fish growing/fattening up), and only enough that
just
a small amount of thawed frozen Mysis/brine/etc... falls to the
substrate for my snails/crabs/serpent star, etc
I currently have a few corals, bta, two clowns, yellow watchman goby,
royal gramma... I noticed a plump Kole Tang with what appeared to be ICK
at my LFS and offered to buy him at a greatly reduced price because I've
successfully QT and treated ICKY fish with Cupramine in the past, and
without losses. The Kole Tang went straight into my 30g QT bare bottom
tank and I followed the Cupramine instructions as always. The Kole Tang
would sometimes eat, sometimes not, but frequently picking away at
scraps that had stuck to the foam cover on the filter. He remained
active and plump for the 16day QT. With the Cupramine treatment over and
no signs of white spots, and what looked like a healthy active fish... I
introduced him to my display tank.
The Kole Tang's been shy, not as active, and while I've witnessed him
picking away at the glass and rocks from time to time, I rarely saw him
feeding with the other fish. Almost two weeks later... Last night, he
was on his side in the corner of my tank and breathing rapidly. He still
looked to be of a healthy size, but something was obviously wrong. I
felt that removing him at that point would cause more stress and certain
death.
Watched my cleaner shrimp jump on him at that point, and the Kole Tang
swam away. I checked on him this morning and his outer body had been
completely picked away by hermit crabs and my serpent starfish.
Question... do you think the death may still be Ick related, even though
he appeared to have successfully finished a Cupramine treatment?
<Ick/Crypt might have been a factor... to extent here. As well as the
copper exposure. I suspect this fish had a trauma issue though. Perhaps
from collection, holding, transport...>
I don't think anything in my tank could've harmed him, and he had no
wounds of any sort. I'm assuming my small to medium sized bubble tip
anemone wouldn't have been the culprit (unless the BTA had actually
caught him and was eating him)?
<Could have had a brush here as well>
I'm stumped... I thought I had success in saving this fish from the
store.
Dave
<Sometimes Dave, sometimes not. Bob Fenner>
Re: Kole Tang 10/18/17
Could a simple brush from the BTA have done something like that?
<Not likely a Ctenochaetus tang would perish from glancing a BTA; no;
not of/by itself>
I was thinking possibly trauma from collection, but in the QT he was
really active, breathing at what I perceived to be a normal rate, etc...
Cupramine indicates to treat at .5mg/l, and that toxic levels exist at
.8mg/l My
treatment was definitely at .5mg/l, having checked multiple times
throughout the 16 days. Are some fish (tangs?) more delicate with copper
treatments?
Dave
<Re copper exposure; there is no sub-physiological dose. Akin to
old treatments of humans by mercuricals and arsenicals; you're killing
the host by degrees along w/ the parasite. Tangs are amongst the most
sensitive fishes to copper poisoning. Bob Fenner>
Trying to save my fish; CP f' 9/10/17
Hi
<Mike>
I had a group of 5 fish (juvenile Queen, an adult Imperator, a Powder Blue and
Achilles tangs and a smaller Blue Jaw Trigger) in my 160 gal QT system, made up
of 3 - 55gal tanks plus sump. They have been there since Aug.
12th. They seemed to be doing good at first. They were in lower salinity water
for over two weeks ~ 17ppt, temp 78F, pH around 8. I started to slowly bring the
parameters up to match my display when I saw Ick break out on the Tangs.
<Very common; as you likely know these two Tang species are VERY susceptible>
I lowered the salinity back down to 17ppt and did 2 treatments of Chloroquine
Phosphate (from National Fish Pharmaceuticals) . After a week the trigger died.
The Ick seems to have morphed into Amyloodinium
ocellatum - cloudy eyes, shedding slime, patchy white on the Achilles...I'm not
sure if the darkening pelvic fin is on the Powder Blue is a symptom of something
else.
<Could be sampled, looked at under a 'scope. Perhaps just chemical/physical
burn>
The tangs have stopped eating.
<VERY bad>
The two angels are still in better shape - I only see white spots on the eyes
and they are still eating well. I gave both tangs a fresh water dip yesterday
but didn't see any improvement. I pushed the salinity lower to 14ppt. I am about
to do a 25% water change and give another treatment of Chloroquine. Am I missing
something?
<The CP may be hurting more than helping here. >
Is there something else I should be doing? Here are some pictures.
<IF these were my fishes, I'd NOT use the quinine, but just drop the spg.
down to 1.010, and hope. They may be too impugned to come back at this point>
I would appreciate any suggestions you might have Thanks,
Mike Spizzirri
<I would have you read re others experiences w/ CP (on WWM) as well. Can be
tricky in use:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/QuinTrbFixF.htm
and the other Quinine FAQs files linked above. Bob Fenner>
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Hepatus Tang & Ich
8/11/16
Dear Bob & Crew,
<Hey Joe; "where you goin' w/ that fish net in your hand....?">
Thank you again for your passion for marine life! Love the books
especially!!
Just a quick question today. I have a Blue Tang (Hepatus) in Quarantine
that I would like to add to my year old 155g in-wall reef. I've had ich
wipe out my fish before and it is not pretty. I am extremely nervous
about adding the new addition. If I could start over, I would add the
Hepatus first to prevent spreading ich to other fish.
Regardless, I do think that I will add it to the display shortly. The
tang has been in QT for 3 months. Upon arrival it displayed a small
degree of white spot that has come and gone repeatedly. Coloration,
personality, and appetite are wonderful! It is in QT with a Clarkii
Clown which curiously has shown no evidence of ich for the duration of
the 3 months. I am feeding a variety of pellet (NLS, Ocean Nutrition)
flakes and many species of dried algae, all soaked in garlic
concentrate. Feeding is three times daily and the Tang appears to have
grown a bit.
Any thoughts on successfully acclimating this fellow (2.5" by the way)
to the display?
<You haven't treated the fish prophylactically as yet? I would
at least dip/bath it incoming and enroute to the main/display... and
likely have fed it CP per the SOP on WWM or Goemans and Ichinotsubo>
Current fish in the 155g are: 5" Sailfin Tang, Flame Angel, 5 Blue
Chromis, 2 Skunk Clowns, and a Mandarin Goby. I was planning on NOT
administering a freshwater dip for fear or stressing it.
<Better this than casual Crypt et al. introduction>
You may disagree. I will also be gradually matching the salinity and
temperature of the two tanks before introduction.
I've noticed that several people have these fish that exhibit
the onset/offset of white spots and that it does not always transmit (at
least visually) to other fish.
<Well-worded. Yes to "it not showing" and most all systems having latent
infestations>
I find it interesting how virulent ich can be at times while other times
seemingly be innocuous.
<Ahh! Wise of you to state>
Thanks so much!!Joe
<Welcome. Bob Fenner>
Purple Tang - Ich - Cupramine
6/9/16
I have a dilemma and would appreciate your great advice as always.
<What's up?>
Note that I have a permanent running and fully established 75 gallon
QT/Hospital tank.
<Good>
About 4 weeks ago I purchased a Purple Tang (maybe 5 inches in size).
<What did Gurley Halleck expound when seeing his first worm in "Dune"?
"Egads, what a monster"! This is a big Zebrasoma to purchase, collect
from the wild>
I purchased it from a reputable LFS. It was eating like a pig, was
active, and showed no signs of illness. They stated that it had been in
their possession for a few weeks.
<I see>
As I do all new fish arrivals, I put it into my QT/Hospital tank for
close to two weeks.
<Mmm; no dip/bath enroute? I would do so... to "knock off" Protozoans,
Trematodes... external issues>
It was fine, eating like a pig, no issues, no illness. Thus, I moved it
to my 150 gallon DT. This tank has been disease free and all the
readings are very good. I believe in "over-filtration", thus there's
plenty of flow, a UV filter, oversized skimmer, oversized sump pump,
refugium (with Macroalgae, red mangroves..), and about 100+ pounds of
live rock...etc. I have high powered LED's on the tank. There's been no
issues of aggression within the tank and the Purple Tang would be
hypothetically considered the most aggressive type of fish in that tank
and the currently largest fish
for that tank, excluding a well fed 10 inch Snowflake Eel that minds his
own business and who's been a good citizen.
<Echidna spp. usually are>
Other inhabitants are a 3 inch Flame Angel, a 3 inch Koran Angel, a 4
inch Majestic Rabbitfish, and a 3 inch Sailfin Tang.
<Okay>
I knew that I was "rolling the dice" with the Sailfin Tang already being
in there, but after a lot of reading and visiting with LFS' I was fairly
confident it would work as I've previously introduced a Sailfin Tang
into a different 150 gallon tank with an established Yellow Tang that
has worked out well thus far and for over a year. IMO, from research and
experience, it seems like the Sailfin Tang's are more likely to co-exist
of the Zebra species if introduced at a different time.
<This is my and many others (recorded) experience as well>
After a little bit of posturing back and forth maybe for 2 days, the
Purple Tang and the Sailfin Tang adjusted and accepted each other. I
never witnessed any chasing or nipping, simply a bit of posturing,
flaring up of the fins. The Purple Tang continues to eat well. However,
within the last week the Purple Tang has developed Ich. None of
the other fish display any signs of Ich.
<Common and not uncommon>
The Purple Tang continues to eat like a pig, swims all over the place,
and seems very healthy, very happy, except for the Ich, always very
eager to eat, getting excited when I approach the tank. I feed him and
the tank a mix of mysis shrimp, brine/Spirulina, and algae sheets.
Since he developed Ich I've been adding Socol, VitaChem, and Metroplex
mixed with Garlic into the food this tank eats. All of the fish eagerly
eat at each feeding which is 3 to 4x a day. Usually I feed 2x a day, but
I stepped up feedings to hopefully strengthen their immune systems.
Here's my dilemma, I could move the Purple Tang to my QT/Hospital tank,
which seems like a no brainer, and for most any other fish I would do it
ASAP, but this Purple Tang, despite its case of Ich is a very happy fish
that's very active and eats like a pig. I am concerned about stressing
it out, trying to catch it, then move it to a new tank. Might this put
it
into a downward spiral?
<It could; yes>
I've always successfully used 1/2 the recommended dosage of Cupramine to
treat Ich. Keeping the fish in QT for 4 weeks. I just ordered some
Dr.G's Caviar that includes CP too that I intend to feed this 150 gallon
DT with the Purple Tang. I've done some research on Purple Tang's and
Cupramine and it appears that they might have more sensitivity than most
other fish to Cupramine?
<Tangs and allies... and a few other fish families/groups too... You can
search, read this on WWM, in books I've penned>
Thus, this too, makes me think I should continue to treat the DT with
medicated food. However, am I doing the right thing? Would you move the
Purple Tang to the QT? Thank you.
<I would NOT move the Tang... but leave in place, continue w/
the feeding treatments you're doing and have planned. Some
archived input on the subject here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/parasittksfaqs.htm
and the linked files above. Bob Fenner>
Fw: Purple Tang - Ich - Cupramine
6/9/16
I forgot to mention that this 150 gallon DT with the Purple Tang is a
reef tank, thus my use of treatment so far by medicated food.
<Ahh; please read here as well:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/reefparasittksfaqs.htm
and the linked.... B>
Re: Purple Tang - Ich - Cupramine 6/10/16
Thanks Bob. I very much appreciate your expertise. I really needed
someone of your caliber of experience to review my dilemma and give
their opinion.
<Glad to share, render it>
My gut has been to keep the Purple Tang in the DT considering it behaves
very healthy, eats like a pig, seems really well adjusted, except for
the Ich, but I've been torn, knowing that I have an established QT.
Thanks again!
<Welcome>
BTW, note that on my QT/Hospital tank, for all new arrivals, unless I am
aware of any sensitivity to Cupramine, I dose the QT tank with 1/4 to
1/2 the recommended dosage of Cupramine for two weeks as my method to
treat for any diseases before introducing them into the DT.
<Mmm; well; the standard spiel re treatments, moda am sure you're
familiar w/; and Cu++ exposure period... does more harm than good
beneath some threshold "physiological" dose... likely near/below 0.15
ppm you're poisoning the fish hosts more than accomplishing any positive
effects>
This strategy has worked really well for me on new introductions thus
far except for this Purple Tang. I have ParaGuard, PraziPro, and Ich
Attack available in my arsenal to use too that I had tried in my earlier
reef/fish
keeping days for new arrivals, however, from experience, I've had by far
the most success with Cupramine at a reduced dosage thus I've stuck with
it for new arrivals. Beyond this, my strategy for any new coral arrivals
is to use ReefDip for 30 minutes.
<Ah, good. I've used and caused to purchase hundreds of carboys of
Cupramine. Am a fan as well. Cheers, BobF>
Re: Purple Tang - Ich - Cupramine 6/10/16
A worthy summation re Cu use in aquatics:
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fa165
B
Re: Purple Tang - Ich - Cupramine
6/11/16
Bob-
I thought I would report back to you the status of my Purple Tang based
upon our mutually agreed decision to keep him in the DT vs. stressing
him out and moving him out of the DT. I am very pleased to report that
after about a week of the medicated food treatment I described below,
around 90% of the Ich spots are gone and he now has just a few spots,
while none of the other fish have displayed any Ich.
<Ah, good>
I believe our strategy of keeping him in the DT with the
medicated food cocktail with extra feedings has made a difference.
<Yes; a matter of balance. Shades of John Venn! Have you recently read
this?:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/fwsubwebindex/fwdis3setsfactors.htm
If he had shown any signs of being passive, hiding, or as you've said in
past posts to others, i.e.; a party in the corner with himself I
believe, I would have definitely moved him to the QT and administered
Cupramine.
However, despite the Ich, as he was very active swimming, looked strong,
was eating like a pig, not hiding at all, the decision to keep him in
the DT with this treatment method appears to be working well. Quite
pleased.........
<Again; the reading... and understanding. Most all systems are
subclinically infested... READ. B>
Ich, to treat or not to treat?
8/31/15
Hello WWM Crew,
Thanks for all the valuable info on this site and helping us keep our tanks
healthy. Here is my situation. I have a 90g reef tank that has been up and
running for 8 years with no problems, thanks to WWM. I have a Yellow Tang that
has been in there for 2 years and no problems with him. He acclimated well, no
Ich or black spot and is getting big and fat. I recently bought some Blue Reef
Chromis(cyanea)and had them in QT until I read it was better to FW dip and place
them in the main display, so I did.
Well my Royal Gramma killed them and I didn't have enough time to get them out.
About a week later my Tang developed some white spots, ragged fins, scratching
and visiting the cleaner shrimp but was still eating like a pig so I thought it
is Ich. There were no changes in my water parameters stable as usual. I removed
him and gave him a 14 minute FW dip and place him in a tank with new saltwater
that has being running and is cycled. About 2 days after the dip he started
eating and acting normal. The white spots that I thought were Ich haven't
returned as of yet. The more I read about Ich I think it might not have been Ich
because the spots were more like white head pimples ready to be popped. I bought
some Cupramine, a copper test kit and some Methylene Blue but I'm not
sure what the best thing to do is.
<Good... to be not sure>
After reading about Tangs and copper I am wondering if it would be better to
just FW dip him again and place him in the main display or treat him with copper
if he might not need it. The only symptom he exhibits now is he swims across the
tank and does the shaky dance, but this might be because he is in a 20g long(too
small). In your expert opinion what would you do?
<Not treat... the system will be worse for wear... read re the use of CP
(Chloroquine), and treat via food>
Also none of my other fish were inflicted with this they are all doing well.
Thanks in advance for your valuable expertise and time. Brian
<Do please keep me/us informed. Bob Fenner>
RE: Ich, to treat or not to treat? 8/31/15
Hi Mr. Fenner,
Thanks for the info. I will look for CP tomorrow.
<Good>
I also purchased NLS Ick Shield which is supposed to contain CP but I was
reading from a post in February 2015 that you didn't have any experience with
it, have you any info on this product since then?
<I have not; but do know (and have high confidence) that this product is real.
Pablo Tepoot (owner, manager) and I are old friends>
Thanks
Brian
<Welcome. Bob Fenner>
Re: Ich, to treat or not to treat? 8/31/15
Hi Bob,
I've been reading more about the NLS Ick Shield pellets and Ian Tepoot says that
it contains ingredients from the Chloroquine group. My tang has been eating
these pellets. There is also NLS Ick Shield powder which contains the same.
Reading about the powder if I can't find CP I think the NLS powder would be the
next best thing. I will keep you informed as I am
going out to find CP. Thanks so much for your interest in my dilemma.
Brian
<Welcome. BobF>
New Tang Trtmt. 6/4/15
Hello Bob,
<Bobby>
I have incoming tonight 3 small tangs from a local wholesaler.
I would like to quarantine for the first time, but being these aren't exactly
gobies or.clownfishz I have a decision to make.
<Okay>
I have a spare 29 gallon tank, equipped with hob power filter, 600 gph power
head, and heater. I took media components, such as filter floss, sponge, and PVC
pipe that's been sitting in my fish on only tank sump for biological bacteria
for a few weeks
I can set tank up, input some media that could be my biological filtration.
Or I can skip bio filter, and do the tank transfer method every 48/ hours, not
letting ammonia build up.
<I'd use the media.>
Since they are ultimately going into my display tank at the end of it( which I
believe to be parasite free) I can use water from display tank, which also
allows me to do 20 percent water changes on my display every 2/days, instead of
just making new water only to go down the drain two days later.
<You may well have to check the water twice daily and change a good deal of it
out daily>
I have the 29, I can transfer fish, into say an equivalent size rubber maid,
bleach and rinse 29, and switch back to 29 in 48/ hours.
I know that's a lot of work but that's what I have the means to do. The other
option is cycle the 29, and run copper, but I have a feeling a 29 with no live
rock or sand may not biologically hold the ammonia output.
<Agreed>
Any suggestions for my case would be appreciated. Thanks
<I'd read on WWM re Tang Diseases... and summarily dip/bath them enroute (after
acclimating); in a pH adjusted freshwater bath... per the S.O.P. posted on WWM.
Bob Fenner>
Re: Tang trtmt. 6/5/15
Hey Bob,
Read the pH temp adjusted baths, will definitely that do that in between
transfers.
<Real good>
There will be 4 transfers, 3 days apart. I will probably wait for the 2nd and
4th session to use Prazi pro for flukes, worms etc.
<Okay... though the dip/bath should remove most all the external... look closely
at the dip water... give it a stir...>
Goal would be try to get them to eat before adding any medication.
<A bit of triage evaluation is useful: IF the specimens are in apparently good
health, treating them from the get-go is the route to go. Often in captivity,
just in from the wild, being moved... they just worsen in isolation>
I see various answers about sanitizing. What's the most recent verdict or
methodology, 1 part bleach to 10/parts water for a few hours, rinse, rinse and
air dry at least 24 hours?
<Fine>
And in theory with tank transfer, since ich can be water borne and fish carry
water in them, can they hypothetically carry ich in there bodies during a
transfer?
<Not in... or at least we should define our terms; but "on", though at times
deep-embedded in the tissue around and under scale insertions>
Or is that simply over thinking the process?
Thank you, Bob
<Welcome. B>
Achilles tang with stubborn ich
5/3/15
Hi Crew,
<Patryk>
I have been always trusting your site as the ultimate online authority on
everything-reef and it’s now time where I’m hoping that you may be able to help
me with some advise on a distressing situation in which I have found myself.
<Let's see>
I am writing from Sydney, Australia, which gives me access to many wonderful
corals, but unfortunately severely restricts options for disease treatment,
since most of the common fish medications are simply unavailable down here.
<Yes>
I have recently acquired a pair of tangs (Achilles and Purple) from a fellow
aquarist for my 6x2x2.6 tall mixed reef. These are supposed to be the final two
fish in my main system, so I’ve been searching for nice specimens for a while,
hoping to find a pair already accustomed to each other. In addition, now was a
uniquely-perfect time to buy them, since I have just established my second
system which so far has been housing only a single zebra moray and could
therefore serve as a nicely-sized QT (4x1.5x1.5 plus sump), before its ultimate
fate as a FOWLR eel and lion display. Since my early reefing days, when I lost
over $1000 worth of fish to Cryptocaryon after adding a bunch of new critters to
my tank without quarantining, I’ve been fanatical about quarantining all my
livestock including corals, snails and macro algae religiously for 6-8 weeks.
<Good>
I have a rack of three permanent quarantine tanks set up in the garage (two for
fish, one reserved for invertebrates), but unfortunately none of them is even
remotely suitable for an Achilles (they’re 50L, 80L and 90L, respectively) so
the new 4x1.5x1.5 sounded like a perfect compromise, preserving biosecurity of
all but one of my livestock while giving the Achilles reasonable room to adjust
to its new home.
Note that, since I began applying my QT protocol, I have never experienced a
disease outbreak (I lost a few fish to aggression, and a few newly-purchased
specimens in QT, but never in display.) So my experience with disease diagnosis
is virtually non-existent, besides the good ol’ friend Cryptocaryon, which got
me started on the obsessive QT path in the first place and whom I revisited a
few times since, while lending my QT setup to fellow hobbyists to help out with
outbreaks in their own systems.
Of course, two weeks after acquiring the fish, the Achilles started breaking out
with classic symptoms of Whitespot. Some of the spots were more like short
dashes, but otherwise had the right size for Cryptocaryon.
<Appears to be Crypt>
Because of the eel and the deep (10-12cm) aragonite sandbed in the “QT”, I could
not apply my treatment of choice (Cupramine), so I embarked on (new to me)
hyposalinity treatment.
<Hypo rarely if ever effects a permanent cure>
I dropped S.G. to 1.014 (measured using Milwaukee electronic refractometer) over
the course of 48 hours and continued observing the fish - pH remained stable at
8.2 (I buffered the RODI water with Seachem product) and ammonia has been
undetectable. All three fish (moray, purple tang and achilles) seemed happy and
eating well. However, the spots on the Achilles stayed, so, five days later, I
dropped salinity further to 1.009 (I waited that long to do it on the weekend
when I’m around to react to any issues.)
<Excellent note>
All has been good (no disaster, but no improvement either) until yesterday
morning, when I observed his condition to deteriorate further (see photo.) The
tang was literally covered with spots and was mostly sitting in a powerhead
stream, swimming around a bit but always returning to his spot. He chased some
Mysid shrimp that I tried to feed him, but didn’t bother to actually catch any.
In the evening, however, he improved, ate and was swimming around normally
again. However, the spots are now covering most of his body and, around his
mouth, seem to be almost flaking away.
<Bad>
So now I’m thinking this may not be Cryptocaryon after all. Could it be
Amyloodinium, given that the fish is still alive after being infected for a few
weeks?
<Mmm; no. Velvet would have killed this fish in a few days time>
Or could it even be flukes -
<Could be>
I’ve seen a few photos on the web where what the author claimed to be flukes
looked a little like flaking-off bad case of Whitespot, not unlike what I’m
observing on my tang?
<... Did you run this fish through a pH adjusted freshwater bath? See the
protocol on WWM for eradicating flukes>
Either way, what course of treatment would you recommend, both for the tang and
the other two inhabitants of the system?
<...? These are posted, archived... You may well need help/cooperation from a
friendly vet. or medical doctor for chemicals>
Because of the eel, I can’t administer Cupramine in the current system, but, if
advisable, I could transfer the Achilles to a cycled 80L QT I have vacant, or
even set up a new 2x2x2 cube that is currently sitting in my garage dry, using
the two filters taken out of the 80L QT and a cheap protein skimmer.
<I would def. transfer the Achilles, running through the bath enroute.>
I also have access to ParaGuard, formalin (with few days’ delay)
<Good; use the last in the dip/bath>
and Praziquantel tablets if the infection is determined to be flukes rather than
protozoan after all, but that’s the whole extend of medications available to me.
The other major hurdle to administering Cupramine (and the main reason why I’m
writing to you today) is that the tang is currently under hyposalinity
treatment, and I fear that bringing the salinity up out would either take too
long or stress the fish further.
Finally, what treatment do you recommend for the infected system itself to
protect its other two current inhabitants and before its future conversion to a
FOWLR display?
<.... do you need help using the search tool, indices on WWM?>
Note that, unfortunately, I don’t have another system large enough to host the
zebra moray during the treatment, so any procedure would have to be eel-safe.
I look forward eagerly to any advise you may have.
Regards,
Patryk Zadarnowski
<And you, Bob Fenner>
|
|
Ich on purple tang HELP... learning what WWM is, how to use
it
12/10/14
I recently purchased this purple tang from my local fish store.
<... did you dip/bath it? Treat it prophylactically? Isolate,
quarantine?>
when I first brought it home noticed spots. they accepted to take it
back and treat it for an entire month. it looked fine after its
treatment at the store.
<Ahh... no>
after treatment brought it home again looked fine for two days. It is
still eating good and active but I wake up today to this please help
<This fish has at least apparently Cryptocaryoniasis... have you
read on WWM re diseases of Zebrasoma xanthurum? Do so... quick.
Bob Fenner>
|
|
Re: Ich on purple tang HELP
12/10/14
Unfortunately no I did not quarantine.
<Rats!>
Although I set up a tank and currently have it running now.
<Ah, good>
After taking the fish back to store I did treat my display tank (fish and
rock only) with Cupramine and all were fine Never showed signs just a
precaution.
<Likely worthwhile>
I visited the store often to check on fish and always showed improvement.
That's why I'm so surprised the fish became this infested overnight
<Do the reading... Tangs in general are very susceptible; almost always
"latent carriers" of Crypt, Trematodes and more... NEED to do your own
assuring of initial cleanliness>
It is a small local shop and I have always received good advice and service
The tang is now in quarantine. I plan to treat him with Cupramine also.
Would u suggest fw dip as well?
<I'd (re) suggest the reading. We're not a hobbyist bb. BobF>
|
tang trouble... Mystery treatment; no data
8/3/14
Recently my Kole tang got Ich and I put it in a treatment tank
with my LFS own brand of ich treatment.
<... Ingredients?>
Yesterday I finished treatment and transferred him back to the main set
up. upon transfer i noticed his skin seemed splotchy like his slim coat
is less or more in tact in some areas and now it has something wrong
with its lips. It looks like teeth overgrown, because he's a bristle
tooth tang and they look like bristles is where i drew that conclusion.
also it seems very thin, at first he grazed like crazy now that he's
back i only see a nibble here and there and never have a seen him flock
to feeding tim with everybody else. Im hope its just from treatment and
the weight will return- as for his lips idk what to do
<....? READ here:
http://wetwebmedia.com/mardisindex.htm
Bob Fenner>
Re: tang trouble
8/3/14
ps. any input would help thank you very much for your time
<... help with what? See WWM re Crypt treatments that work. Bob Fenner>
Sick Naso in QT... Rdg. really; re Crypt,
med.s that don't work, N. lituratus hlth f's
6/4/14
Hello everyone at wetwebmedia.com!!! I love your site and really
appreciate the help you offer!!
<Ahh, greetings Marco>
I bought a Naso tang after I unfortunately lost my blonde Naso a few
days after putting him in the Display tank. The new Naso came from the
LFS with a mild case of Ich
<Of which they are VERY prone>
and I put him in my quarantine tank and started treating with
Ich attack by Kordon.
<Mmm; do see my comments. Though an old time friend owned and ran the
company... and a new younger one of forty years acquaintance does now;
this product and all "herbals" I'm aware of have efficacy troubles in
"real world" settings. What to state: They rarely work>
The fish was doing great, there are no white spots left on it's body
<Umm; they just cycled off... will be back... PLEASE read on WWM re
Cryptocaryon; AND FAQs on Cures that work>
but yesterday I noticed it's stomach looked rather small, "pinched" and
it's appetite decreased.
<Very common that stressed, and medicated Tangs (Acanthuroids period;
and some other fish groups) lose their stomach fauna... and DO have to
eat almost continuously... Brown Algae (macro) a giant plus... ALL this
is gone over and over; archived on WWM>
Today it wont even come out of it's hiding spot. The tank is a
50 gallon.
<Only for quarantine I take it... See WWM re Naso lituratus... period>
Water parameters are:
Ammonia: zero
Nitrites: zero
Nitrates: zero
Temp: 79.9
Alk: 10
The only thing that I did yesterday was treating the tank with PraziPro
and a 20% water change along with the Ich attack recommended dose.
Is there anything I can do to help the fish.
<All sorts... first off; I'd likely make the executive decision to
return this fish to the main/display system... as this is already
infested... and "fight the Ich" there... Per:
http://wetwebmedia.com/parasittkfaq2.htm
and the linked files at top in this series... till you can recite a plan
of action>
I feed him Formula 2 pellets, Nori soaked in Selcon, Rod's food
(herbivore preparation) and red seaweed soaked in Selcon and Garlic
extreme.
<Good>
Thanks in advance and my best wishes to the crew.
<Welcome... do the reading and if anything is unclear or incomplete,
please write back. Bob Fenner>
Re: Sick Naso in QT
6/4/14
Thank you very much Bob for the advice. Yes, the 50 gallon tank is a
quarantine tank only, my main tank is 180 gallon.
<Ah good>
The fish is in real trouble now. After I finished typing my previous
question to you, I went to check on the fish and he was floating around
almost dead. I must admit I freaked out and after contemplating the
possibility of having accidentally poisoned him by using Ich attack and
PraziPro at the same time,
<Mmm; also... Tangs/Acanthurids NEED high dissolved oxygen... not easy
to do in a 50>
I got some water from the display tank into a bucket and very gently put
the fish in it with an air stone for aeration. The fish is still alive
and trying to swim but his body is arched and only moves his lateral
fins. Is this it for my fish? Is there anything at all that I can do for
him?
<Too much to relate, re-key...>
Thanks again!!!
<The reading... and quick/pronto! BobF>
Re: after Ich outbreak -update
3/3/13
Hello,
The scared Hepatus that I was worrying about is now eating Nori and some
pellets that I place right in front of the spot he lives in in the q.t.
But is still very frightened and whenever he sees me he leans on a side
and then runs hiding. In time he will probably come around, he's got 2
more weeks in the q to go. But my problem is. Ow with the other q.t.
Where my Chelmon rostratus lives. It has been in there for 2 weeks and
cleaned up the Aiptasia on the rock i had prepared for him and now
eating Mysis. But I have noticed that he begun shaking spasmatically his
head from side to side.
<They, Butterflyfishes, many others, do this naturally>
The water parameters are ok for a quarantine tank( nitrites < 50/
Nitrates <10) , i have in the tank some Zoanthids just for checking
water quality and they open regularly.
<Are toxic... to fishes, you. See WWM re>
He is still eating well, out of my hand and there seems to be everything
ok, at least externally. I know that misys is not enough nutrition for
him, what should I do? Place him in the 1000 l display
where the water parameters are optimal and there are lots of things to
scrape of live rock?
<Yes, I would move this fish now>
( the DT is fallow for 5 weeks so you can imagine how many living things
grew on the live rock)
Or should I treat him for parasites in the q.t?
Thank you
Andrei
<Welcome. BobF>
Re: after Ich outbreak -update 3/12/13
Hello Mr. Fenner,
Thank you for your quick answer, especially on a Sunday morning.
<Enjoyable every day>
This shows how much someone from across the world like me, can rely on
your prompt advice, and believe me, sometimes it is all we have,
aquarium wise.
I am bothering you again with a behaviour/environmental question: I have
introduced as you suggested the Chelmon in the 1000 l display tank after
a FW/Methylene bath and he feels great, he stopped the head shaking and
is eating good ( he only accepts Mysis and brine but has a lot of live
rock to search for food).
<Good>
Also in there is a Naso Elegans that has finished his quarantine period
and doing fine, he also received the bath at the end of Q. But the
question now is the Hepatus: in the 80 l quarantine tank he acts as
scared as the first day after 24 days now ( he was half dead from the
shipping being delayed, I acclimated him briefly - 40 minutes- and
managed to save him ). Whenever he sees me he runs and hides leaning on
a side.
<I'd dip and place this fish in the main/display tank as well. Will calm
down, become more social in time>
I was placing half Nori sheet on a clip with vitamins on it and at the end
of the day it was eaten, and also sometimes he would stick his head out
of his bowl and catch some pellets, but yesterday I noticed he didn`t
eat his Nori. The nitrates are "on the yellow side of the test" in the
QT and I am worried about him. Introducing him in the display together
with the other 2 fishes could entice him to eat, or he will be even more
scared and never come out of some cave?
<Move it>
I will also remind you that my tank came down with Ich and it remained
fallow for 6-8 weeks, but I also know that probably I never eradicated
100 % the parasites
<Almost no one ever does... not to worry (look up the English word
"obsess") here> and now is a question of environmental factors that
would keep my fishes
happy. During his Q, I constantly introduced water from the DT to
the QT of the Hepatus to adjust him to possible presence of the
parasite.
<A good technique>
I also run 24h UV and Ozonizer in my DT. But I was planning to introduce a
healthy and happy and eating fish in this "questionable " DT, not a
scared and stressed tang that is a Ich magnet on the first time, but
honestly I don`t think that another week or two in the QT would change
his behavior.
So what should I do?
<Third time's a charm: Move this fish>
I know that this email is too long, but maybe it is better if you know
all the facts.
<Ah yes>
Thank you in advance,
Andrei from Romania
<BobF in San Diego, but wishing we were out diving somewhere the water
is warm and clear>
Re: after Ich outbreak -update 3/12/13
hello again Mr. F
well, I can assure you that San Diego is far closer to a nice and warm
beach than Romania, so in my humble opinion you shouldn`t complain.
( me neither personally, but that is another story). So, after checking
several times the mail today, I received your answer, and after work
begin all the preparations. The dip water was Methylene bluish, THEN,
passing in front of the DT, I froze: 2 white spot on the Chelmon
side!!!! ( I am not 100 % sure it is Ich, but... )
After all the ordeal I went through!!!
<Two spots... not likely Crypt. And if available, I'd use
formalin/formaldehyde in your dips>
So: I shouldn`t move the Ich magnet Hepatus in the DT now? What do I do?
Continue observing the Chelmon in the DT ( Naso shows no symptoms) ? I
feed them with vitamin and garlic and ginger enriched food. They have
been in there for 10 days now.
When, if ever, should I move the hepatus?
<... I'd still be dipping the Paracanthurus and Chelmon enroute to
placing in the DT>
Should I tear down the tank and let it dry and restart again? I plan to
introduce some beautiful fishes in the tank and I currently have a lot
of thriving corals, inverts and coraline covered live rock.
Where is the boundary between observing fishes in the DT and keep them
happy and taking them all out and threat them with copper and restart
the tank?
<See WWM re infested systems. B>
( this tank remained fallow for 6 weeks minimum) so if I tear down the
tank I would start it again! What should I do with the corals?
thank you again,
( I was not expecting to write/bother you so soon again)
Andrei
Re: after Ich outbreak -update 3/12/13
Thank you again,
Well, this is reassuring. I think I have read all the WWM pages on re
infestation, that is where I get all my knowledge on the topic..
So you would still be placing the Paracanthurus in the DT?
<... already wrote>
The Chelmon Rostratus is already in there following your advice, so the
question is on the Hepatus...
<... yes, Paracanthurus hepatus...>
Thank you ( and once again, for me is still unbelievable that I can get
advices from one of the best in the field, comparing to the LFS 300 km
away)
Andrei
<B>
Re: after Ich outbreak -update 3/13/13
hello,
Ah yes, now I get it. Misunderstanding on my side. Thank you for your
patience.
The 2 spots on the Chelmon were exactly on the same position this
morning and none more, so there could be a chance this is not Ich,
because as far as I know the parasite falls down after some time and
others are attaching, but not on exactly the same position..
In the afternoon I will give him a bath assuming I can catch him without
stressing.
thank you again,
Andrei
<... B>
Re: after Ich outbreak -update 3/21/13
hello again Mr. F,
<Andrei>
I am seeking advice again on this very bumpy road I am travelling with
my tank: the 2 spots on my Chelmon Rostratus that I was talking
about are gone and everything seems fine, I introduced the scared
Hepatus and within the first hour in the DT he begun coming out and next
day he was the boss, ( of the Naso) , and eating, swimming in the open
etc. But now, after 5 days after his introduction I have noticed last
night 3 spots on him . This morning they were still there, in the same
position but I think they are bigger and whiter... I think I am pretty
sure they are Cryptocaryon... The question as always: what to do?
<At this point in time, nothing. Do read here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/reefparfaq2.htm
and as much of the linked files above to grant you sufficient
understanding. Your system IS likely infested, but your best course of
action... highly unlikely to "treat">
As you probably remember, the tank was fallow, now I am feeding Nori,
Spirulina, Mysis, with vitamins, garlic and ginger, and there are only
these 3 fishes in the 1000 liter tank with lots of mix corals, and a
clean up crew. I run constantly 50 mg of ozone, and a UV in the sump.
Should I wait and see, maybe he will fight on his own?
<Ah yes>
If there will be more spots, at witch point do I have to take him out,
and more important, what o do?
<... read for now. And don't obsess>
I have let it fallow once and it seems that it cannot solve the problem,
drying it all and start new, what do I do with the corals?
thank you in advance,
Andrei
<Certainly welcome. Bob Fenner>
Re: after Ich outbreak -update
5/26/13
Hello again Mr. F, all the way from Romania,
<Salud Andrei>
The time has come for me so seek some guidance again. In the meantime I
have done some progress but there are still a lot of information and
processes that I need to fully understand. ( and your site is the best
resource, in my opinion)
A quick refresh on my story: full Ich out brake killing everything in my
1000 l reef tank on Christmas, 3 months of fallow state than
repopulation.
Slowly, a Chelmon rostratus, a Naso elegans,
<Note to other readers, this is likely N. lituratus elsewhere>
2 mandarins, and the last one : a beautiful A. Japonicus. All of them
eating very good from my hand. I knew that there is still crypt in the
tank, because the hepatus always had 3-4 spots on him, but a equilibrium
seemed to have been reached.
<Ah yes>
I introduced the Japonicus ( after 4 weeks in qt with water from the
display) , and everything seemed fine. 2-3 spots, then gone, and for 3
weeks only the hepatus showed some spots. Until last night when I
noticed considerable more spots on the hepatus ( 10-15 - maybe more )
and on the japonicus the same. They are all good, eating and acting
normal. I also have a cleaner shrimp that does some work.
The only thing that changed was that I introduced 2 sand Seastars and 8
Nassarius snails.
My question: is still waiting time? In qt I have a happy Xanthurum
, 2 clowns, 3 nematolactis magnifica and ( please don't judge me yet) a
Zanclus cornutus
<Wow. Impressive>
that I kind of save from the lfs and is eating and I have hopes for him.
So not much space in my 4 qtanks. In the display I now have extensive
corals: 5-6 sps colonies that are growing and doing fine ( still a lot
to learn there ) and other beautiful lps . ( 30 cm Catalaphyllia
beautiful )
All the fishes are fat, eating very good a variety of foods and
vitamins, fresh squeezed garlic juice and Ginger juice on the Nori.
If it is not waiting time ( good I hope it is.. ) what should I do?
<I would do nothing other than what you are already doing stock-wise. IF
you're concerned regarding the balance/equilibrium of the Crypt here,
I'd delve/look further into means of improving water quality and
nutrition (e.g. Ozone use, Spectrum Pellets...>
Thank you in advance,
Andrei
<Welcome. Bob Fenner>
Re: after Ich outbreak -update
5/27/13
hello ,
If the "salud" was intended to be in Romanian, the right one is "salut",
and thanks for trying, I appreciate it.
<Ahh!>
And thanks for the quick answer.
Well, the next morning when the lights went on, the Japonicus was free
of spots and stayed like that the whole day, and the Hepatus returned to
his normal 2-3 spots. This morning I observed that the cleaner shrimp
was above the spot that Japonicus sleeps in, so he probably does his job
during the night.
But, what is the meaning of this incident of them developing more spots
than usual?
<A shift, in the balance of host, parasite... likely related to
environment in some fashion/s... degraded water quality, some new stress
from a tankmate... Could be many things>
I forgot to tell you, but I use ozone ( 50 mg/h) connected on my skimmer (
AquaMedic ACone 3.0 designed for 3000 l) , now 24/7 but I have already
ordered a Apex Neptune system that includes an ORP probe that will
control this feature.
<Ah yes; a nice unit, and nice fellow who owns, manages this company>
I also include on my feedings Spectrum pellets that the Japonicus
doesn't eat, but the Hepatus and Naso fight for, they eat like 20-30
pellets each per day.
<Neat! Have you considered culturing your own macro-algae as food...
I've just finished a piece (article) for Coral Magazine... that will run
at the MACNA issues, and in German and Italian am pretty sure... and one
of the sidebars the editor asked me to crank out touched on this
subject. I will attach it here>
What do you think about my feeding procedure: I mix chopped Nori and
Spirulina with vitamins (daily) plus garlic juice, ginger juice (
weekly) in some tank water and then feed with a spoon, so the fishes run
for the bits around the tank. I am asking this because I have the
feeling that a lot of unnecessary nutrients are introduced like this by
the juice that surrounds the Nori.
<Only a bit of nutrient really... These prepared algae are mostly
non-nutritive, the Allium and ginger... water. I'd grow my own
Gracilaria, Ulva, Sargassum...>
thank you again,
Andrei
<Welcome. Bob Fenner>
Re: after Ich outbreak -update 5/29/13
Hello Mr. F,
<Andrei>
I like very much the idea of growing my own macro algae , and I was
thinking about a refugium, so I will do it for sure. Just have to find
the source for the algae, but if they import fishes and invertebrates,
why wouldn't import algae too?
<Assuredly someone there does so>
Just a quick question: given the fact that my tank is back to normal,
but normal means that the Hepatus always has some crypt spots on him,
and that I also have in there A. japonicus that is clean now, but very
very susceptible, and also that I will eventually have to Introduce the
Z. Xanthurum that I have in qt, and also the Z. cornutus ( that is now
eating out of my hand but only Mysis and Spirulina for now, but I think
I am very close to convince him to take Spectrum pellets, I know this is
the only chance for him in the long term and Mysis won't be enough
nutrition for him )
<Agreed>
, would not be a good idea to take the Hepatus out and treat him in some
way, he eats very good and he is very fat so I think he will be ok in qt
tank and also ready to take some kind of treatment ( at your suggestion
) ?
<Worth trying... and in the meanwhile introducing the Purple Tang and
Zanclus>
And then reintroduce him in the DT? or not?
<Yes>
Thank you,
Andrei
<Cheers, Bob Fenner>
Ich treatment for Achilles tang in quarantine
10/9/12
Hello Crew,
<Bob>
After spending several hours reading from the site I felt it best to
send an inquiry for clarities sake. I have had a 6" Achilles tang
and 4" Foxface in quarantine for about 4 weeks now. Both have been
eating very well with regular feedings of Spectrum Thera A pellets and
Nori sheets.
Everything was normal until last night when I noticed discoloration
(white spots)on the Achilles tang. He has showed <shown> no signs
of distress until now and all water parameters are within limits
(Salinity 1.025, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites). Today he barely came out
of his sleeping spot to feed. Overall he looks distressed.
Foxface shows no signs of trouble.
Weight on both animals is excellent. So now to my question:
* Knowing that the
Achilles is a sensitive fish and assuming that this illness is either
Marine Velvet or Ich, what is the best course of treatment?
<CP... see WWM re Quinine compound use>
My LFS suggested Rid-Ich+,
<I wouldn't...>
but your site has some pretty strong warnings against formalin/malachite
treatments (except as a dip). I am also concerned that repeated
removal and dipping would increase the stress on these fish and actually
accelerate their demise. Am I wrong about that?
<You are not wrong>
* Copper treatments also
appear to be universally lethal to this species of tang.
<Not lethal necessarily, but unduly debilitating usually>
* Should I attempt to
freshwater dip them? (also highly stressful)
<As part of what treatment regimen? No sense doing so and just returning
the fish to the infested quarantine>
If this were any other type of tang I would go straight to copper
treatment, but I would hate to make a fatal mistake after having
nurtured this specimen so carefully over the last month.
<Most other Acanthurids, Acanthuroids are "sturdier", more treatable,
less subject to toxicity due to copper exposure... than this species,
Acanthurus leucosternon and A. nigricans... these three are "touchy">
Please provide any direction/clarity you can so I can attempt a rescue.
Thanks,
Bob McCook
<Do be reading re quinine cpd.s... IF you can't get your hands on CP
quick, drastically lowering spg may forestall a too weakened state. Bob
Fenner>
Foxface in quarantine not eating
3/17/12
Dear Crew,
I love your web site!! So much good info. Thanks.
I bought a 3" Foxface 1 week ago.
<Mmm, overall length? On the lowest end of size I'd
collect/buy>
I put him in a 10 gal lexan tub that I use for
quarantine
<Am a bigger fan of prophylactic dips/baths for Siganids...
quarantine by and large is more harmful than useful w/ these
fishes>
. It has a small filter & piece of PVC for hiding. There are some
bubbles produced by the filter waterfall & there is no cover on the
tub. Nothing else in the "tank". I noticed some Ich on his
pectoral fins, so brought the Sg down to 1.015 & temp to ~80F. The
Ich is gone now.
<Mmm, not likely, no... the manifestation (mucus reaction series) is
not obvious... is still there at this spg>
I also treated for 2 days with Erythromycin as some of the other fish
at the LFS tank had a bacterial skin infection. No signs of infection
on the Foxface & the water in quarantine was changed. Sg is back to
1.025, temp is 78F.
He has not eaten since being put in the quarantine (1 week),
<Bingo>
still tends to stay in one spot & is showing his stress
colors until I turn on the lights in the room & look at him, then
his black spots go away & he starts swimming around, but still
won't take food - algae sheets or pellet food.
Should I leave him in QT for more time, put him in the display which is
a 90 with ~80# LR, corals, 2 yellow tail damsels, 1 ocellaris clown, 1
pajama cardinal, snails & hermit crabs? I'm afraid to put him
in the display tank while he is not eating.
Thanks
Doug S.
<I'd do the dip/bath... Please read here re:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/mardisindex.htm
Bob Fenner>
Marine Ich like spots 1/9/12
Gentlemen,
<And ladies>
I have tried to find in the WWM already posted literature something
related to the 0.5 mm white spots I am seeing in my powder blue tang
pectoral fins. Cannot find HD close-up pictures.
<These are posted here and there on the Net... such spots
can be (though not necessarily) indicative of a few species of
Protozoan parasites, most often by far Cryptocaryon. And on Acanthurus
leucosternon... VERY susceptible/common. Put the common and
scientific name of this tang and the words Ich, Crypt in the search
tool... found on every page of WWM>
After a rigorous Copper treatment
<... not a fan of Cu exposure on Acanthuroids>
of 21 days plus a 2 week observation period, I introduced my little,
very energetic powder Blue to the DT. He was showing some fin damage do
to the confined space in the Quarantine tank and PVS pipes but no
scratching or white dots on skin.
<Mmmm, here it comes...>
I freaked-out when looking closely to the fish i I still saw what i
believed was damaged pectoral fin scars. i witnessed him flicking
couple times on rock so i took him out of DT and to a 30 minutes fresh
water dip.
After the Dip the spots remained on him. During the FW dip I was able
yo handle him and observed ( with a magnifying glass )
<Need more magnification. A few hundred power... again, see WWM
re>
the little spots. They appear to be inside the structural nerves
<?>
of fins ( pectoral ) . They all are perfectly aligned ( inside
) with these fins nerves ( ribs ) and they did not come of
after a 30 minutes of FW dip.
<Mmm... perfectly aligned... these might be just "damage/repair
areas"... not parasites>
My question is: does Ich is able or can be selective of the spot on
witch <which> it attaches?
<Mmm, to some extent, yes>
if all of the spots coincide with the fin structural conduits "
nerves " or ribs of fins can we consider it as Ich?
<Maybe not, as stated>
Thanks for your comments.
Eric
<Skin scrapings, microscopic examination is definitive. Please read
here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/cryptidfaqs1.htm
Bob Fenner>
Ich and hyposalinity question
7/1/11
Hi!
<Ryan>
I've been a fan of your site for quite a while now and you guys
have helped me save my fish many times. I have a question though about
Ich and hyposalinity.
<Go ahead>
2 weeks ago, I got an achilles tang. Its in my QT tank now which is now
in hyposalinity to make sure that he doesn't bring any Ich into my
main tank.
The salinity stays at around 1.008-1.009 throughout the day and I make
sure to keep the water level as constant as possible. I have to
refractometers that I use to double check multiple times a day. To keep
nutrients down, I do water changes with RO water and salt mix of the
same salinity level and I change around 40% of the water every 5-6
days.
The strange thing is that the achilles has 1 white dot near its eye.
From experience, it seems like its Ich. How could this happen when my
QT is in hypo?
<Mmm, could be summat else... or just resistant, embedded>
My achilles has been in hypo for 2 weeks already and the 1 dot just
showed up this morning and it got me concerned. To be sure, I added
quinine sulfate to the tank but only half the recommended dose on your
site first.
<No sense... Full dose or nothing>
What do you guys think?
Thanks!
Ryan
<That this Acanthurus is VERY susceptible to reef Protozoan disease;
that hyposalinity rarely "works"... as posted on WWM. Bob
Fenner>
Re: Ich and hyposalinity question 7/1/11
Hi bob!
<ry>
Thanks for the quick response! Just to clarify, I added half first then
the other half when I got home so as to not shock the achilles.
<?>
Ill read up more on WWM regarding this
<Good>
but just to be sure, would combining both hypo and quinine sulfate make
sure that the Ich dies and stays dead even for the achilles which is
highly susceptible?
<No>
My DT remained fallow for 2 months and right now, there's only 1
Yellow tang and 1 peppermint hogfish in there(those 2 fishes underwent
2 months of hypo
and QT) so I think its fairly safe to say that the tank is Ich free and
would like to keep it that way even after adding the achilles.
<We'll see... I am doubtful, dubious... you are likely to have
troubles.
BobF>
Thanks!!
Ryan
Frayed Pectoral Fins, follow up 7/6/11
Hi Bob or WWM crew,
<Ry>
I followed your advice on adding quinine sulfate to my
QT in hypo and the dot on my achilles is gone. I do fairly large water
changes on the tank, around 40% 2x a week to keep water quality good.
The weird thing now though is that the pectoral fins of the
achilles seem to be a little frayed.
<This may be due to the QS itself... search WWM re>
Aside from that, he is in tip top shape. I feed him 2-3x a day with
mysis soaked in vitamins and Nori.
What do I do about the frayed fins? Do I just keep the water quality
good and it will go away or do you suggest I treat with something?
<Move the fish in a few days, to a large,
established system. BobF>
Thanks!
Ryan
Black Tang pale post-Ich 2/4/2011
Hello,
<Hello...>
I am a newbie marine hobbyist. I have researched for a few weeks about
ICH.
I have my QT up and running, and have been treating 6 clowns, 3
damsels, 1yellow tang, 1 hippo tang, and 1 black tang. The black tang
is our newest family member.
I've had this guy for 3 weeks. When I brought him home from my
local aquarium store, within 3 days I had a Huge ICH infestation in my
100g display because I didn't QT and treat him for ICH before
putting him in my main tank. Such a stupid rookie mistake!
<That you won't make again after this experience.>
Moving right along, all my fish seem MUCH better after 36 hrs, i.e.-
eating much more, swimming rather than laying down, etc.
<This is good.>
My black tang (Otis) is acting healthier, but he's turning VERY
PALE!
The Ich med is called "Cure QuICK" (don't know if that
matters or not, I have done my reading on that brand of med, and my
black tang, and have yielded no real answers for this problem).
The local aquarium store that I bought him from says he's called a
Honduras Tang. When I bought him, he was all black, with a white/yellow
triangle on his caudal peduncle. He's approximately 4" long
and 3" tall.
Now that he's been QT'd, he's PALE, almost a light grey.
What is wrong with him, and how do I save him? Or, is this problem not
life threatening?
<Tangs do pale considerably when stressed. He has a lot of stress in
a cramped QT, being sick, water quality may be problematic in the QT.
Assure all parameters are good in QT. Most likely water changes are in
order. If you don't have test kits, get some. pH, Ammonia, Nitrite,
Nitrate. If Ammonia and Nitrite aren't zero, do BIG water changes.
Copper levels too high can be a problem. Have your store test your
water also if you don't have or aren't confident with the test
kits. Feed plenty of algae for the tangs. If this is all good, try
adding some cover for the tang to hide in.
Tangs need a lot of space. He is new, probably scared of the
others.
Maybe put him in his own tank. He has been the most stressed. He was
infested the longest. He has been moved and is most likely being picked
on by his new tank mates. I wouldn't add more tangs. I have one
purple tang in a 75 gal, and he wants more room.>
Please Help!
Silver
<Good luck, keep researching. Lots to learn in this fascinating
hobby.
Alex>
Powder brown tang (Acanthurus Japonicus), hlth.
12/29/10
Hi crew.
<Hello Jase>
I have a difficult question for you guys/gals. I had my 3" pb tang
in qt for over a month which I just transferred to the main display
tonight. Within the month of qt I treated with Prazi pro and
quinine
sulfate (separately) for sunken belly and Ich. The tang was mostly full
bodied and now, a month later, you can see the bones on top of his head
and spine.
<Mmm, worrying, and also common for Tangs coming out of quarantine..
one of the dangers>
Throughout this month I fed frequently with spirulina sheets, new life
spectrum, Mysis, and bloodworms soaked in a multivitamin/Selcon. Can I
nurse him back to good health (appearance wise)
<Oh yes>
or is there less of a chance of that happening?
<If feeding and not being hassled, then there is a good
chance>
I am just concerned that the meds damaged him
<Yes, particularly his 'gut fauna'>
but I am hoping its just from being in a small tank for such a long
time with mediocre water quality. He is eating an unbelievable amount
and his color is slightly faded but gets better each day. Is there hope
here or is he more likely going to remain thin and slightly faded? Any
suggestions /input would be of importance/appreciation.
<I would just keep doing what you are doing Jase, particularly with
the NLS pellets. Make sure he is not being bullied by others. These
animals can recover to full health, even from the sunken area above the
eyes>
Thanks much everyone,
<No problem>
Jase
<Simon>
Greetings Dispensers of Knowledge - need advice
Marine Crypt on Purple Tang. 11/20/2010
Greetings!
<and salutations!>
I have been reading/lurking for some time now and am learning a lot.
Maybe too much. Sometimes I'm afraid to touch my tank after reading
everything I could do wrong albeit inadvertently. My Master's is
in
Computer Science, not chemistry/biology. ;-)
<No problem, mine is in electrical engineering.>
I currently have a 75g reef, 30g sump, MP 300 skimmer, Fluval canister
(carbon) hang-on fuge growing copious amounts of Chaeto. Water parms
are good: 0 on everything, even nitrates. Temp ranges 77-80 throughout
the day (I use 2 150W MH on a 10hour cycle inside a 12 hour 4 T5
actinic/daylight cycle), pH ~8.1 (morning) to 8.3 (midday). Alk is
"high" (stupid test kit, will invest in better one soon).
<The API test kit is pretty good actually.>
About 10% water change bi-weekly, supplementing with Kalk drip, iodide,
stront & myob weekly. I do not currently have a calcium/dKH test.
Am trying to find a good one - do not want to invest in a cheap one
that's inaccurate and end up screwing up the environment because
the test told me something was off that wasn't.
<The API Calcium test kit is pretty good too. Accurate to about
20ppm, which, for a casual reefer who doesn't keep a ton of stony
corals and clams is fine.>
Inhabitants are currently 1 purple tang, 1 b/g reef chromis (plus the 4
Jimmy Hoffa versions he apparently took issue with, schooling my
$%&),
<Heheheheheh in my experience, not unless that tank is
huge...>
an inherited, mated pair of Percs, 1 skunk cleaner shrimp, and 4-5
softies.
Aside from my very moody toadstool, all are looking healthy and growing
well. Coralline is growing like mad and I'm fairly certain I
managed to acquire a nice population of Montipora from the LR I
picked
up from the LFS because it, too, is growing like a weed.
<Sounds like a nice setup, and stocked well. Monti is one of my
favorites, fast growing, easy to frag and colorful.>
So the problem is the tang. ::sigh:: He's almost certainly got a
case of Ich, though the only symptoms he shows are spots and
occasionally twitches.
<Hmm... how many spots?>
He's been like that for over a week now. He is eating voraciously -
and by voraciously I mean I can feed the tank 3 times a day and they
act like it's not enough. I make up a mix of Mysis, brine,
spirulina, and pellets with some tasty garlic (which he apparently
hates) and feed that in the morning, then supplement with flakes twice
more during the day. If it hits the water, they eat it - as if
they've never been fed before.
<Yep. >
The tang has been in the tank about a month (and no, I didn't QT
-
<Consider both wrists slapped. If you cannot QT, at the very least,
do a FW dip with formalin or Methylene blue It will knock off most if
not all of the parasites the fish may have >
and having learned the hard way now have a QT set up and ready to go
;-)) and has doubled in size already.
<Do mix some other greens in there - Nori or Kombu - available at
the grocery store. Tangs are very susceptible to HLLE
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/hllefaqs.htm
>
I am having a hard time netting him, and am not really looking forward
to moving all the other inhabitants/LR to get at him. I am also afraid
of stressing him more by moving him to the QT (14H) such that he
expires.
<Tang catching is best done with multiple large nets and two or more
people. It also helps to have the nets in the water for about an hour
before you try to start catching them.>
I've been reading here and elsewhere, and strategy appears to
differ based on hobbyist. I've seen some advice to the effect of
"let him try to fight it off himself, supplement with garlic"
if he's otherwise
seeming to be doing fine to "get him out right now OMG I can't
believe you are letting him suffer at all like that, I'm calling
the ASPCA".
<Depending on the circumstances, the treatment does fall somewhere
in between.>
My options as I understand them are:
1. To absolutely remove him and treat him. Now. Like yesterday.
<Always valid, not to the point where you tear the tank
apart.>
2. Treat the tank with No-Ich - anecdotal evidence seems to indicate no
adverse affects to the rest of the tank, but I am leery of running with
no skimmer/no charcoal for weeks on end. My skimmer works very
efficiently (it's well-over sized) and pulls good skimmate on a
daily basis. I look at that mess and think "I certainly don't
want to leave THAT in the tank!".
<I've never seen any evidence that no-Ich works. Copper,
Formalin, or Quinine Sulfate are proven, time tested cures. yes, they
require more effort, but they work.>
3. Continue to supplement with garlic and watch the tang to see if he
can fight it off himself.
<If it is a very minor case, yes. Do remember, garlic sometimes
helps, garlic is not a cure.>
The other three fish with him appear unaffected. He's not appearing
stressed (except by the presence of a
net) and not having trouble breathing. His eyes are clear, there's
no cysts/blemishes near his gills, just white spots all over his
beautiful purple body.
<Here is the key. Define 'all over'. Is it 10 - 20 spots on
the side of the fish, or does it look like it has been rolled in sugar?
If the former, I'd be more inclined to give the fish a FW and
formalin dip, or wait and see. If it is the later, I would not delay
treatment.>
I read about the lawyer who discovered his case of "Ich" was
just air bubbles. I was optimistic, but after close observation - those
are not air bubbles. :-(
<Nope, it is likely Ich.>
Your thoughts? I don't want him to die, he's a beautiful fish
who likes to beg for food every time he sees me at the glass and
that's endearing, but I'm leery of moving him to QT when it
might be worse for him - or not moving him to QT when it might be best
for him. Augh! See? Too. Much. Information.
<Ok, here is a tried and true Ich remedy.: 1. Get a QT tank ready
and a large bucket filled with temp and pH adjusted fresh water and a
powerhead to provide aeration ready. See here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/dips_baths.htm
Treat the water in the bucket with Formalin, and the QT tank with
copper or quinine sulfate. Get the fish in the FW dip bucket. Let him
soak for a good 10 - 15 minutes. (Less if the fish starts stressing out
too much) then move to the QT tank.
Personally, I prefer treating with Quinine sulfate, as it is easier to
use than copper, and you do not need to use it as long.
http://www.nationalfishpharm.com/products4.html Since it is not likely
available in your area, you will probably have to start with copper.
Treat for a minimum of 4 weeks. Watch the fish in QT and the rest of
the fish in your tank closely. If any of the other fish start showing
signs, get them into the QT tank quickly. http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ichartmar.htm
>
I am also eagerly (and impatiently) awaiting the arrival of my 150g and
from reading I assume that to keep that system clean I should just
start from scratch? Or if I do transfer any water/substrate I should
let it
sit fallow for 8 weeks to let the stuff die off?
<Letting the tank go fallow is best, then you can transfer the
substrate, and the water. if you want.>
Sorry for such a long involved e-mail, but you all seem to appreciate
more information as opposed to "tank good, fish sick. Help."
;-)
<Heheheheh... Yes We would always rather have a glut of information
than none at all.>
Thanks much for all your efforts and great advice!
<My pleasure.>
Lori
<MikeV>
Re: Greetings Dispensers of Knowledge - need advice Marine
Crypt on Purple Tang. 11/21/2010
Greetings again!
<Hi Lori!>
I will look into the API kits - I've read good things about them
and your recommendation backs that up.
<I like all of their kits except for the nitrate test.>
I managed to net the tang this morning - he couldn't resist
breakfast. :-)
He was very stressed about the move to the QT but calmed fairly quickly
and was nibbling at his breakfast a few minutes ago.
Sulkily, but nibbling nonetheless. I'll assume that's a good
sign.
<Yes, Give him some places to hide, that will make him feel more
secure.>
His fins were covered this morning with more spots though he still
(thankfully) was showing no other distressing symptoms. He's got
far more than 10-20 spots per side though not "rolled in
sugar."
<Definitely spreading then.>
But it is getting worse and spreading, not better - so I opted for
treatment. Am treating per recs and hoping he can recover.
<Good. These treatments are time consuming, but they do
work.>
Thanks for the advice and confirmation he needed treatment sooner
rather than later!
<Best of luck, do write back and let us know how it is
going.>
Lori
<MikeV>
In Need of Logical Advice for Regal Tang with
Ich: Paracanthurus hepatus with crypt 6/22/2010
Hi All,
<Hi John.>
First of all, thank you for this site. I have never utilized the ask
feature before, but I have read and found lots of excellent advice here
that I have put into practice. Today, I basically need advice on what
to do with my Regal and Yellow Tangs.
<Sure.>
About six weeks ago, I lost the last of my fish to a rather harsh
strain of ich. From the first white-spot sighting until the death of
the last fish was just over a week. Although I'm certain the
chasing/catching was a stressful ordeal for them, I moved all the fish,
with exception of the diamond goby and cleaner wrasse (neither of which
were showing any symptoms), into quarantine and treated them with API
Super Ich Cure (not my first choice, but it was the only thing I could
find at the local shop).
<I'm not a fan.>
This treatment did not help, all the fish quarantined were dead within
four days. I tried using a Kordon "reef-safe" treatment in
the display tank; however, I'm fairly certain that it was a
complete waste of money.
<I Agree.>
The diamond goby turned up missing two days later (found him under some
rocks being eaten by the crabs. The cleaner wrasse lasted two days
after that (I came home from work and found him being eaten as
well).
Not wanting to treat the display with copper, I let the tank go fallow
for 5+ weeks (allowing at least 28 days for the tomont stage, and
several more days for the theront stage). In the meantime I acquired a
Regal Tang and a Yellow Tang which I kept in quarantine for about three
weeks. I would have kept them in longer, but the Regal Tang seemed to
be a bit stressed from the tank-size (30 gallon).
<Not uncommon.>
Both were eating very well and showed no signs of disease or
parasites....so, I did what I considered to be the "humane"
thing, and moved them into the larger display tank (135 gallon). That
was three days ago.
This morning when I saw the Regal Tang (under the blue LEDs), he had
what appeared to be about 20-25 white-spots all over him. I will get a
better look this afternoon when I get home, but if it is ich, I face a
rather difficult decision. Should I try to catch them, put them back in
quarantine and treat with copper? I'm afraid this might be very
stressful (especially the catching part), or should I leave them,
continue to feed well and hope for the best (I find this advice all
over the internet in regards to Regals with ich)? If I do the latter,
and the Tangs can fight off the ich, does that mean the ich will die
without any other fish to host?....or is that just wishful/delusional
thinking on my part?
<A bit of wishful thinking. Ich never truly goes away in any system,
it just gets knocked down to an insignificant level.>
As of this morning, there were no white-spots that I could see on the
Yellow Tang, but I might be in for a surprise when I get back home.
<Regal Tangs do tend to be more susceptible than others.>
I would really prefer not to lose these fish (if the ich is as bad as
last time....I only have a few days). What is my best coarse of action
at this point?
<If he still has the spots this afternoon, and it is on fact ich, I
would get the fish out and treat with copper.>
Tank Specs: 135 gallon; running approximately 5 months; Ammonia: 0;
Nitrites: 0; Nitrates: approx 10-15; PH: 8.3.
Tank inhabitants: Regal Tang (approx 2.5in); Yellow Tang (approx
2.5in); green star polyps (approx 2x3.5in); 130lbs live rock; 2 inches
of crush coral; 10 Mexican Turbo Snails; 1 Zebra Turbo; 50 Nassarius
Snails; 50 blue
leg hermits; 20 red leg hermits; 2 peppermint shrimp; 1 sand-sifting
starfish (approx 2.5 in); 2 large bristle worms that I am not sure if I
should keep or not (approx 6 in each).
Thanks,
<My Pleasure.>
John
<MikeV>
Re: In Need of Logical Advice for Regal Tang with
Ich 6/23/10
MikeV,
<Hi John.>
Thanks for the quick response....greatly appreciated. If it turns out
to be ich, I'll pull him out and start treatment. Should I also
pull the Yellow Tang out for treatment at the same time and let the
tank go fallow again?
<If the Yellow is not showing signs, I would leave them for
now.>
If so.....how long should I leave the tank? Last time was just under
six weeks.....I expected the ich to be gone by then.
<There were still a few in the tank.>
If the ich is never truly gone from a system, and the Regal Tang is so
much more susceptible to it, does that mean I will never be able to
keep him in the tank, or will he eventually build up a
tolerance/immunity of some kind?
<They 'catch' it when they are stressed - either by poor
water quality, being moved, etc. Once it settles in, it will be able to
fight it off.>
Again, thanks for the assist.
<My pleasure.>
John
<MikeV>
Quarantine and Copper and Cryptocaryon: Crypt
treatment, quarantine. An excellent example 6/10/2010
Dear Wet Web Media Crew,
<Hi Carl, greetings from my temporary home in South America.>
As always, thanks for your informative articles and FAQ pages. I find
them very useful.
<Glad that you find it so.>
As an adjunct to my 500 gallon system I run a quarantine system
consisting of three bare bottomed 40 gallon tanks plumbed in series
attached to a 30 gallon sump.
<Nice.>
Four weeks ago I purchased and quarantined a Naso lituratus, an
Acanthurus Lineatus, a Ctenochaetus Cyanocheilus and six Pseudanthias
Squampinnis. After a week in quarantine the three Tangs displayed
Cryptocaryon,
<Why am I not surprised?>
which I treated with two weeks of Cupramine at 0.5ppm and three 100%
water changes and tank disinfections at days one, seven and fourteen
(though not directly referenced on your website, I've read studies
that suggest that one hour of exposure to 40 degree Celsius - 104 F -
water kills a high percentage of Protomonts and Tomonts.
<I've read the same study, though I will offer that it is
incredibly stressful to your fish...>
As overkill I do 4 hours of 45 degree freshwater with 2.4mg/L chlorine
<copper?>. In the unlikely event that you haven't read this
University of Florida article, here it is http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fa164).
The two weeks of copper were up on Sunday, and it's now been 14
days since the disappearance of any Trophonts on the fish. If I
understand the life cycle of this disease correctly, I think I've
got it beat. My question is whether you would judge it safe to move
these fish to the display system.
<Though I am not a fan of raising the temp that high, I must commend
you on your strict quarantine procedures. To answer your question
directly, I tend to be conservative in my quarantine and medication
procedures, but, I've never had an outbreak of crypt in my display
tanks either. As long as your fish are healthy and not showing signs of
stress, I would still give it another week.>
They're all eating well and behaving as normally as fish living in
a bare bottomed tank with PVC shelter are likely to behave, and
it's been a month since quarantine. My standard quarantine period
is one month, but I can't decide if I should restart the clock when
the ich developed.
<I generally 'restart the clock' For safely\piece of mind,
as long as your fish are not showing any symptoms and\or signs of
stress I would leave them another week to ten days..>
I don't really want to keep them in quarantine overly long-- it
seems that after a month or so mortality increases.
<I agree. but that must be weighed with the overall risk to the main
display tank.>
So, in the immortal words of Laurence Olivier in Marathon Man, Is it
safe?
With thanks,
<Well, I'm fresh out of cloves for the moment, but I would still
give it a week more.>
Carl
Vancouver, BC
<MikeV, Melbourne, Fl, currently in Santiago Chile.>
Ich/Acanthurus Disease 4/29/10
<Hello Mark>
I have read many of the articles and Q&A but still have a Q. Too
many assumptions to list but I have had ich in my tank and assume ich
is always present in some form. An outbreak just needs a triggering
event is that accurate?
<Close. If poor diet and water quality exists, the fish will be much
more susceptible to a disease and/or parasitical infection.>
If this is incorrect and my tank is unfortunately
'contaminated' is there any species of Tang that I could put in
the tank and if I keep parameters normal and stress to a minimum expect
to have the fish survive?
<Unfortunately, water parameters alone are not indicative of good
water quality.>
My story ...220 gal reef with 150 refugium/DSB, 1 Jawfish, 4 gobies, 2
blennies, 2 clowns all was well....added a Powder Blue Tang and Powder
Brown Tang (2-3 inches) against a lot of good advice, lasted 2 months,
2 dead tangs, 2 dead clownfish.
<The Powder Blue Tang is a very difficult fish to acclimate and is
very susceptible to ich.
There are two species of the Powder Brown tang. The easier to keep A.
japonicus,
White Faced/Cheeked Tang, and the A. nigricans, or Gold Rim Tang. The
later is most difficult to keep generally lasting about two months in
the aquarium.
<Do have a read here. http://www.wetwebmedia.com/GoldRimSs.htm
and here. http://www.wetwebmedia.com/powdbluetg.htm
Will offer much more information than I have the time to say
here.>
Everyone else is doing fine. Parameters were near perfect all of the
time.
My Question is really about what I stock going forward. I can not tear
down my reef and decontaminate. Do I have a ticking time bomb?
<Possibly, if poor nutrition/water quality exists.>
Can I add other fish that are not ich prone and expect longevity?
<Most of the ornamental fish we keep are susceptible to ich. Be best
to concentrate on water quality and good nutrition.>
Are there (pretty) tangs that are not ich prone?
<The Yellow Tang and Regal Tang are more forgiving than the Powder
Blue/Brown
Tangs in terms of ich magnets, but excellent water quality/nutrition is
still a must for all tang species.
May want to read here. http://www.wetwebmedia.com/watrqualmar.htm
and here.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/volume_2/cav2i4/marine_nutrition/nutritionart.htm>
Thanks
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
Re: Goldrim Tang 4/8/10
Hi Bob,
Thanks for help...Have read for many hours now on white spot treatments
and parasite life cycles.
Tang still the same...few white spots and body colour slightly blotchy
but much better than a week ago.
Just seems funny no other fish itching at all and not a single spot on
any.
From reading the threads on your website I think my best plan of action
at the minute is to carry on with uv and feeding garlic soaked foods
and hope the fish can beat the parasite itself. I noted one of your
people saying that if all water parameters are kept well the fish can
hopefully beat it on their own.
<Can, yes>
Will try for now as nothing too drastic happening.
Have dosed with Oodinex twice and am in touch with them so maybe use
that too depending on their next response as there has been no ill
effects from it.
Have never seen my corals and anemone looking so well.
Fingers crossed.
Regards
Gary
<And you, BobF>
Re: Goldrim Tang 4/8/10
Sorry Bob...But was even thinking could this just be a disease similar
to white spot ?
<Yes>
I know there is marine velvet .
<Doubtful this is Amyloodiniumiasis. Else all fishes would likely be
dead>
Not sure but my gut feeling is white spot and Oodinex is the reef
treatment for everything anyway( allegedly )
<Am not a fan... http://www.eshalabs.com/oodinex.htm
of such "homeopathic" cure-alls... B>
Gary
Re: Goldrim Tang, UV use for parasite control
4/8/10
Last one Bob then I will leave you in peace .
Just been reading about uv sterilizers on your site and seems they are
close on useless for ich control.
<Only nominally effective... more so for improving water
quality...
indirectly useful... And can't be used along with some
medications...>
Would it be better situated in middle of tank rather than at one end.
Also powerheads placement will surely affect uv results...Sorry lost
again.
<Let me/us "skip to the proverbial chase" Gary: in almost
all cases, fishes need to be removed to a treatment system, NOT in the
main/display tank... for reasons of absorption of med.s, destruction of
other micro- and
macro-life...>
Tang showing many white spots now against his newly retuned colour.
Am I best just putting him in a QT tank now and facing the problem head
on.
Why would all parasites end up on same fish and none on others....
<Differential susceptibility, by species, individuals...>
If others were affected surely something would be showing by now.
Thanks again
Gary
<Keep reading. B>
Re: Goldrim Tang 4/9/10
Thanks again Bob....
Tang now full of white spots again....no ifs or buts...nothing else
infected.
<Symptomatically>
Oodinex is useless....
<Yes, we are in agreement>
will cease usage today and all their people do is send a big list of
questions. Basically I've followed the instructions, repeated it
and it doesn`t work...but no ill effects either.
<Might as well add water... cheaper and as effective, perhaps
more>
So will carry on letting fish fight it himself, monitor till Monday
then think of buying a QT tank.
<Not quarantine, but treatment... all the fishes... You've been
reading re the use of Quinine cpd.s...>
Thanks again for the sensible help.
Regards
Gary
<30-40k folks served every day... Since the mid-90's...
BobF>
Re: Goldrim Tang 4/10/10
Hi Bob,
Tang not at all well today.
<... are you surprised?>
Just lying on bottom of tank , rapid breathing.
Can`t swim now.
Still other fish fine.
Think it is too late to do anything now.
Advice please.
<... as always; keep reading. B>
Regards
Gary
Re: Goldrim Tang, killed, no reading
4/15/10
Hi Bob,
<Gar>
Tang died as expected.
<...>
Do a lot of the infesters get removed with the dead fish or do they
exit the dead fish ?
<Mmm, don't know>
Anyway bought a QT today as my Clarkii is rubbing against rocks
although no white spot visible but tail fin bit ragged.
<... my friend, have you read where I've referred you to? ALL
fishes need to be removed and treated>
Will quarantine my remaining 3 fish.
Will Clarkii be ok to separate from his anemone as it has looked so
much better since he arrived...now a perfect specimen.
Secondly an antennae goby...Will he be ok without sand.
<Yes and yes>
Was just going to use this 25 gallon tank with heater filter and a few
hideaways.
<All chemically inert, like PVC pipe I hope/trust>
Will treat with Cuprazin in QT tank before rejoining main tank in 5-6
weeks.
<Cu++... an extremely poor idea with these fishes. Don't write
back w/o reading where you've been referred. B>
Does this all sound ok ?
Last fish is a blue damsel.
Regards
Gary
Tangs with ich in QT Crypt control in QT
Medication and dosing. 4/3/2010
Hi WWM Crew!
<Hi Mike>
A number of years ago I had an ich outbreak in my DT. I believe that it
was from a Flame Angel that I added to the tank only after 10 days of
QT.
I now know that this is about 20 days to short. I first tried to treat
the QT tanks with chelated copper, but I found it extremely difficulty
to maintain the proper concentration.
<It is a challenge.>
I don't know if I should give the mfg name, but both the copper
medication and test kit were by the same mfg. I never saw any shades of
blue using the test kit after adding copper to the tank. I even tried
to test the copper medication directly. I should have seen a color
change then but I didn't. Out of fear of adding too much copper, I
just followed the mfg dosing schedule on the bottle (I now understand
this is dangerous). After two weeks of treatment, you guest it, white
spots again!
<Really need longer than this to truly break the lifecycle.>
At the time, my LFS suggested that I try Formalin.
<Umm... as a dip>
The fish in the QT tank were: 1 Flame Angel, 1 Royal Gramma, 2 False
Perc Clown, 1 Diamond Goby, and 1 Blue Hippo Tang. They said to follow
the mfg's instructions on the bottle (see dosage level below).
After four days
of treatment, all the fish looked good (I now know this is normal too).
I stopped the treatment as directed and waited. After a few days, the
white spots were back.
<No Surprise there.>
After about 12 weeks, and most of the fish dying (a bad way to quickly
solve the ich problem), I didn't see any signs of ich for a period
of four weeks.
<Formalin is a biocide - it kills ALL life. Hence it should not be
used for anything other than a dip. Read here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/formalinart.htm>
I then returned the surviving fish, 2 False Perc Clowns and a Royal
Gamma, back to the DT which was fallow the whole time. I haven't
seen any ich in my DT since then, or at least during my waking
hours!
<Ok.>
Since then I have strictly practiced quarantining all new fish for a
period of at least four weeks before adding them to my DT.
<Excellent.>
My DT is 75 gal reef tank, 20 gal sump, salinity 1.025 (told this was
good for shrimp), UV sterilizer, and a protein skimmer. I have a 20 gal
QT with a power head, air stone, heater, and a hang on filter. It sits
empty in the garage until needed. I use water from my DT when setting
it up.
<All sounds good.>
Finally, the questions and problems. Over the years, I have tried
numerous Blue Hippo Tangs.
<A species that seems to be an "ich magnet">
Every time with the same results. A few days after adding them to my QT
they get ich. I try to treat them with Formalin following the mfg's
instructions, the ich returns, they stop eating, and then death. I
decided to stop killing fish for a while, so I quit buying them until
recently.
<Ok.>
I went to a new LFS, and they said that I should be having this much
trouble with Blue Hippo Tangs. They even said to add them directly to
my DT.
<I would not trust that LFS.>
I let them talk me into trying a Blue Hippo again, and I also bought a
False Per Clown (the male I had in my DT recently died). I put them
into my QT tank, against the advice of my LFS (because of my white spot
filled nightmares).
<Smart.>
They both came from the same DT at the LFS so I thought it was okay to
QT them in the same tank.
<Should be fine.>
I started with the salinity at 1.025. After a few days, I did a 8 gal
water change. Both of the fish were eating and appeared very healthy. A
few days later, the white spots appeared yet again.
Before treating with Formalin this time, I contacted the mfg of the
Formalin product I was using. They said that it was safe for Tangs,
<Tangs are very sensitive to Formalin.>
and that I should treat them for 28 days performing daily water changes
and Formalin dosing based on the ich life cycle.
<I disagree.>
I added 10 ml every day as directed (5ml per 10 gal) in conjunction
with 8 gal water changes. The Formalin bottle says that it contains
less than 5% formaldehyde, so I don't know the exact concentration.
I also started slowly lowering the salinity to 1.016 with the daily
water changes, since this is what the LFS keeps their fish at. I also
thought that the lower salinity would help slow the ich production.
<I think it can help, but it will not cure.>
This might have just doubled the stress factor though. In addition, I
increased the water temp to about 81 deg.
<Ok>
After 10 days the ich is still present and now it appears the fish are
just about dead.
<Stress and long term exposure to Formalin.>
I didn't see any real significant distress in the fish until
yesterday.
They were both swimming and eating well (Romaine lettuce, garlic soaked
Thera pellets, Mysis shrimp, and Formula 2). I immediately did at 30%
water change, changed the poly filter, and did not add any more
Formalin. I
also tried a temp PH adjusted FW dip on the Clown, but it was laying on
its side after about 2 min. I quickly put it back in the QT. I did not
do this for the Tang, I figured the stress would just kill it. It's
probably too late to do anything else now, but they are still
breathing.
<I would stop the formalin treatments immediately. Add activated
carbon to try and soak up as much as you can.>
If Tangs do not handle copper or Formalin well, what do you do in a QT
when these fish show signs of ich?
<Quinine.>
Most of the information that I have read on WWM is for cases where you
have ich in your DT. A FW or medicated dip just puts the fish back in
an infected tank. What am I missing in my reading? I really hate to
continue
killing fish like this. I think that Tangs just might not be the fish
for me.
<There is a third, newer option Quinine. Read here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/quinmedfaqs.htm
>
Mike
<MikeV>
Re: Tangs with ich in QT Crypt control in QT
Medication and dosing. Quinine Choices 4/5/2010
Hi Mike,
<Hi Mike.>
Thanks for your quick response, but the Tang did not make it.
<Sorry to hear that..>
So far the clown fish is still alive and continuing to eat well.
<Good.>
As you suggested, I added carbon to the filter to remove the
Formalin.
You also suggested to try Quinine next time. What should I do for the
clown now?
<Keep in QT, if it starts to show signs of Ich, then treat with
quinine.>
If Quinine, which compound do you recommend?
Should I use Quinine Sulfate or something else?
< http://www.nationalfishpharm.com/ sells quinine sulfate which
works well.>
Thanks again,
<My Pleasure.>
Mike
<MikeV>
Poor Tang. Hippo hlth. 3/4/10
Hello,
My Hippo Tang seems to be having some sort of parasite problem. On his
side is what basically looks like a white head pimple (appeared within
24 hours), almost like something attached itself to him or came out of
him.
<Just one such spot? Don't worry>
He is on the rebound (Hooray!) from an HLLE issue, which the folks at
WWM graciously helped me (and him) out with solving, Thank You.
At first I freaked out when I saw the "zit" and started to
lower the salinity, but then decided against putting him under any
excess stress that may send him into an HLLE downward spiral.
<Yes>
I am fairly sure it isn't ich, as it doesn't look like a grain
of sand and as far as I can tell there is only one maybe two (could be
starting)
"zits". Appetite and behavior are not affected.
I can't find any good images of flukes to compare, so I turn to
your expertise.
<Not a trematode...>
I should mention one important yet embarrassing piece of
information.
While I wasn't home, a family member introduced a new fish to the
system.
They proudly told me how they acclimated it and made sure it could live
with its fellow tank mates (it was a fish I was looking into
purchasing).
Sadly, no quarantine, my heart sank.
The new fish doesn't have any symptoms or sign of disease, so maybe
the timing is coincidental.
I have a ten gallon quarantine tank that will not house all of the fish
(Hippo Tang, 2 Clowns, 2 Firefish, and a new scooter blenny). If they
need medication (only the Hippo Tang has "zits", should I
just medicate the main tank, while moving my live rock, shrimp, and
snails to the quarantine?
Thank you
Adam
<I would just hold off, wait here... Would not treat the fish, move
it... Read on WWM re Paracanthurus if you get the urge. Bob
Fenner>
Re: Poor Tang -- 3/6/10
Hello,
Thank you for such a speedy reply.
The disease has progressed on my Hippo Tang and it almost definitely
looks like Ich now (White dots in various locations on his body).
I purchased Mardel CopperSafe,
<... see WWM... I don't suggest copper med.s use on/w/
Acanthuroids>
but am having second thoughts on using it (I have not yet).
Where the ten gallon Qt tank is so small, I would have to treat the
main tank.
<Definitely a No... don't do this>
Which would effect the entire system, including beneficial organisms I
cannot see.
I would like to attempt non chemical treatment.
I have already turned the heat up, and am ready to start lowering
salinity.
Do agree that this is the best course of action?
<Mmm, Quinine/s... see ...>
Also would you recommend moving live rock, shrimp, and snails to the QT
will using such a treatment (I also have three polyps (of some sort)
that keep dividing, perhaps them too)?
Thank You
Adam
<Keep reading... and soon. B>
Re: Poor Tang 3/10/10
Hello,
My Blue Hippo Tang still has ich, though with
improvements in breathing and activity.
I returned the copper medication, good thing I had second thoughts on
using it.
I did purchase Kordon Ich Attack, and have been treating the display
tank for four days (along with a temperature increase).
<What do you think of this (alternative medicine) product?>
I feel foolish for thinking that such a amazing product could exist. It
is true to its word in not effecting inverts and allowing for steady
water parameters. The lack of spike in ammonia probably indicates that
the product isn't even killing other pests (worms) in my tank.
<Likely so>
I am going to finish out the directed dosage though, as while no cure
something I am doing is helping my Tang.
I have also pumped the fish's diet full of vitamins in hopes of
boosting immunities. I have read garlic can help, but I must disagree,
I think it only acts as an attractant.
<Okay>
I am in the hunt for an affordable 55 gallon QT tank, hopefully it will
suffice for my Tang, 2 clowns, 2 Firefish, and scooter blenny.
If I still don't have a QT big enough and the Tang still has a bad
infection of ich after organic treatment, I am going to have to
medicate the display tank with non organic medication. I know it is a
really bad thing to do and you already said definitely not, but I
can't just watch my fish die, he is truly part of the family.
<... this runs contrary to your statements re not dedicating
resources for it/their care>
I have read that if treatment to a display tank is a must, the drug of
choice is Quinine (I believe you also recommend using it, only in
QT).
<Chloroquine Phosphate is my/the current "genie in a
bottle" here... But should be administered in "bare"
hospital settings>
Also I think it is the best choice for my Tang.
I have seen some brands like Aquatronics contain Quinine, but with
malachite green. Is this okay?
Do you recommend a brand?
<No, but some sources... read here:
http://wetwebmedia.com/quinmedfaqs.htm>
I will keep researching before doing anything "crazy", giving
up is not an option.
thank you
Adam
<And you, BobF>
Re: Poor Tang, & Quinine f'
3/22/10
Hello,
I wanted to give you an update on my ich situation.
I searched all my local (and some a long drive away) marine fish
specialty stores for any medication containing quinine. None of the
stores had the medication (even the ones that normally carry it).
I then found National Fish Pharmaceuticals (mentioned on your fine
website) and talked with an extremely helpful gentleman. With his
recommendation I purchased Crypto-Pro.
Kordon Ich Attack treatment was suspended and a large water change
combined with normal filtration and protein skimmer was
administered.
After filtration of Kordon ich attack the skimmer was shut off and
carbon was removed.
Live rock, snails, polyps, shrimp, and hermit crabs were moved to a
separate (already cycled) tank.
Following instruction from the gentleman on the phone and not the
instructions on Crypto-Pro I administered the product.
Today is day seven after the initial treatment and all fish are looking
great and water parameters are where they should be.
I am on the fence to administer a 'just-in-case' dose
tomorrow.
<Okay, though will comment (for browsers esp.) that such is
generally unnecessary>
As a precaution everything removed from main tank will be kept in the
separate tank for a few more weeks, I don't want to risk any
parasite living on the live rock or perhaps some infected water
re-entering the main tank.
A large water change followed by smaller water changes and normal
filtration and skimming will be run for at least some time to ensure
removal of medication.
Thank you for all the advice, you and the rest of the team run a superb
service.
Adam
<Thank you Adam... for this careful, well-thought out addenda. Life
to you. BobF>
Crypt. Battle 04/03/10
Dearest Crew,
<Dearest fellow hobbyist>
Thank you so much for your commitment of time and expertise! Your
efforts have a huge impact on the hobby!
<Very kind words indeed, and thank you!>
Just a clarification today. One of my reef systems came down with a
case of crypt (almost undoubtedly due to a Tang quarantine cut
short).
<Ok, I do understand this -- these fishes do not fare well in
QT>
And the fish have been recovering well in quarantine. The tank is now
running fallow with only corals, snails, and a couple of tiny hermit
crabs, all which seem to be completely unaffected. I am treating fish
with Quinine Sulfate with decent results so far.
<Okey Dokey>
I am planning on leaving the tank vertebrate free for a total of 4
weeks (longer perhaps?)
<8 I'm afraid, if you can. 4 just won't cut it>
with an elevated temp. of 80 degrees F.
<Ok>
One important detail: I was NOT able to catch my tiny Dottyback and it
most likely has since died within the rock work of the tank.
<Most likely? Or has? This is a critical factor to the success of
your endeavours>
Do you think that this factor should lengthen the fallow time due to
flesh still being in the system for crypt to feed on?
<No, the fish needs to be living in order to be a vector>
Any other suggestions? I would like to think that I am on the right
track to producing an ich free environment for my fish!
<Are you keeping a close eye out for this fish? When was the last
time you saw it? You do realise that if there are no other fishes
swimming around in the tank, then this fish might be 'assuming'
there is a predator about and could just be hiding>.
One last item. Do you recommend having any other medications on hand
for events like these? Perhaps Quinine Hydrochloride or perhaps
copper?
<My fave is Chloroquine Phosphate, but I also keep formalin to hand
as well for dips, as well as Amquel for freshwater dips>
Thanks so much!!!
<No problem>
Jillian
<Simon>
Brown powder tang 3/2/10
Hi Guys,
<Gilberto>
I wanted to thank you guys for the wonderful information provided
by the web page. I wanted to buy a brown powder tang and I did
some research about it before the actual buy. I bought the fish
and everything seemed fine. but now he seemed to have a disease
or something else. Can you please help me identify? thank you in
advance.
<Does look to be a protozoan infestation... You can/could
discern by the behavior of the host... Read, and I mean quickly,
on WWM re Cryptocaryon and Amyloodinium. This fish needs to be
treated NOW to save it... Hopefully it is alone or separated in a
quarantine system. What it has is very contagious and fatal. Bob
Fenner>
|
|
Re: Brown powder tang,
dis. 3/3/10
yes I recently separated the fish from the main system, can you
please tell me how to cure him? thank you.
<... Please read here (and now):
http://wetwebmedia.com/crypttangs.htm
and the Related FAQs linked in the series, and here:
http://wetwebmedia.com/quinmedfaqs.htm
BobF>
Re: Brown powder tang... Protozoan...
all fishes dead... what next? 3/16/10
Hi Guys,
<Gilberto>
Well I read many articles on WWM and I separated the Brown powder
tang from the main tank. unfortunately he died two days later,
and I guess he infested the whole tang so now all my fish died.
What can I do next?
<?>
I really love the hobby since am a marine lover but I feel down
right now.
I don't know what to do next? should I do a water change? if
yes how many?
<... you're faced with basically two choices... to just
wait, allow the system to "go fallow" (read here:
http://wetwebmedia.com/fallowtkfaqs.htm),
or bleach it and have it re-cycle, add some new LR to repopulate
it...>
and how will I know when the disease is completely gone?
<In the first choice, a matter of guesswork>
all my dish died the same way trying to swim towards the surface.
Please help me.
<... Keep reading for now... Bob Fenner>
|
Ick and Tangs, & worthless med.s/ f'
2/9/10
I have a 100 gal saltwater tank and recently was wiped out by a
combination of Ick and Velvet. I tried a combination of Kick Ick and
Rally and, as advertised, they did not kill the coral. The problem is
they killed the fish.
<Or at least allowed the parasites to do so.>
Anyway, I am making several water changes and want to introduce new
Tangs.
I have read that the combination of an intermittent Diatom Filter and a
UV filter might go a long way in preventing and eliminating unwanted
parasites. However, these articles are dated. Do you recommend this
combination of filters or is my time and money better spent
concentrating on proper quarantine procedures and water quality?
Thanks.
<QT and water quality by far are more effective.>
<Chris>
White spot, Marine Treatment 2/2/10
After a major move around of my reef tank my powder blue
tang has developed white spot, I have tried treating with eSHa
Oodinex but it didn't clear up the problem. I am now on a second
course of the same treatment.
<What is the active ingredient?>
The other fish [ lipstick tang, yellow tang, 2x clownfish] do not seem
affected. Any ideas how to rid this fish of his ailment.
Regards
Iaan
<Lots. See here http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ichartmar.htm and
here
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ichart2mar.htm for specifics. Do be aware
that tangs and clowns are particularly sensitive to copper
treatments.>
<Chris>
blue hippo tang with ich 1/12/10
Hello, Crew.
I need a recommendation regarding proper treatment of my hippo tang.
Pretty sure he's got ich; white sugar-like spots a few days ago,
then they increased in number, ultimately coalescing. He's behaving
normally, and eating. I've moved him to the quarantine tank and
have put in some copper.
My question is whether you'd also treat with an antibiotic to
prevent bacterial superinfection of the parasite's entrance/exit
wounds, or whether that would be overkill/dangerous. If antibiotic,
which?
Thanks
Dan
<Mmm, the "later and greater" route for such Protozoan
complaints, particularly on more-sensitive fish groups/species are
Quinine compounds.
Please read here: http://wetwebmedia.com/quinmedfaqs.htm
Bob Fenner>
Re: blue hippo tang with ich --
01/12/2010
Thanks, Bob.
There are shallow pits on the tail end of one side of the fish.
<Unusual>
There's no redness associated; just looks like little holes in the
skin. The fish hides in the decorations mostly, but does come out to
eat when I put a few food pellets in.
<A good sign, indication of health>
Would you treat NOW (while copper is present also) or would you
wait?
<I would remove the copper and treat now>
If wait, then wait for what? Also: I have available to me products
called "API Super Ick Cure" that contains Malachite Green and
Nitrofurazone, and "API Furan-2" that contains Nitrofurazone
and Furazolidone.
<Antibiotics, antimicrobials are of no direct use/efficacy
here>
Quinine isn't available at present. Which of the other two (if
either) should I add?
Thanks
Dan
<Neither. Order Chloroquine Phosphate via the Net if necessary, or
check with a local veterinarian (Aralen...). BobF>
Need help making a hard choice regarding
fish illness/stress/treatment. Achilles Tang hlth...
1/02/10
Happy New Year to Bob and crew at WWM!
<And to you and yours Jamie>
I think it is becoming my holiday ritual to write you! This is
perhaps not a very good sign, BUT at the same time, it is like
having another friend to check in with during the holidays.
I've been reading on WWM around four hours each day for the
past month, it is a wonderful read, I enjoy it so but I know that
I would enjoy it even more if it was not for my sick fishes. I
tried to find an answer to this question in all the FAQs
regarding hospital tanks, quinine treatment, fallow tanks,
ich/brook/Lymphocystis and couldn't come up with a solution.
So here I am bugging you again. I'm glad that there is no
"Life Time Limit" on the number of times we can write
to you, or else my time would be up.
My problem is that I've had my 225 gallon reef fallow for a
total of FIVE weeks now. My fishes are in the 55 gallon hospital
tank where they were treated with quinine sulfate for ich. My
MISTAKE was to purchase an Achilles Tang
<A species very susceptible to a few protozoan infestations,
outbreaks, as you know>
to see if they "get along" around two weeks after
completing ich treatment. Well, lucky me, the Achilles is a doll
baby at twice the size of all the other tangs in treatment -
Powder Blue, Atlantic Blue and Kole tang, I also have a Flame
Angel and Clown Fairy Wrasse in there. These fish with the
exception of the Achilles have been in this HT since
Thanksgiving. I knew that combining the tangs may be trouble from
all that I've learned from WWM but I thought I'd give it
a try since they are all in a confined space so that if I have to
remove the Achilles that I can do it quickly.
<! You must be a very good netter!>
I did a temperature and pH matched ro/di water bath of 7 minutes
on the AT where I found those nice fish lice that I sent pictures
to WWM prior to putting him in the HT. Well, three days after
introduction of the Achilles I noticed about seven Ich like spots
on him. I watched for one day to make sure that it is not air
bubbles as the AT has very soft skin and the tank was highly
aerated, well, they were not, so I started quinine sulfate
treatment on the hospital tank again. I have been doing 20 to 30
gallons of water change each night with replacement of quinine,
it is day eight of now. There have been absolutely NO signs of
Ich on any of the other fishes in the HT ever since their
treatment ended more than 3 weeks ago. The Achilles Tang showed
recurrence of Ich "twice" each two days apart since
starting quinine sulfate and both times they would show up one
day and gone the next (which from what I've learned on WWM is
what is expected of the Ich cycle), yesterday, I noticed some
bumps under the fishes skin near the temple and there were some
white pimple looking spots which are much bigger than the Ich
spots I've witnessed before. I tried to take a photo but was
unable to as the AT was moving way too fast. I'll try again
some more this afternoon.
Here is the question:
I'm thinking that the pimple like bumps MIGHT be from stress
of the current stressful situation in the hospital tank - water
quality, very un-natural decorations, close quarters...
<Could well be>
I've noticed a considerable amount of stress on my Clown
Fairy Wrasse and Flame Angle (who is showing some really weird
blood red "mustache" looking things next to his
mouth.
Aah! If I could punish myself for this stupidity I would do
it...well, I guess lugging the twenty or thirty gallons of water
every day should count - shouldn't it?
<Is considerable penance>
Okay, back to my question: Should/Could I take all the fishes
that are NOT showing any signs of ich or illness, do a
temperature/pH matched ro/di water bath and put them back to the
DT?
<I might... and "shoot for", i.e., hope for some
sort of "stasis"... in an established infestation
here... not "that bad" a compromise>
OR Get another 55 gallon tank and put the AT in there by himself
and treat and watch for two more weeks?
<I'd leave the Achilles in the treatment system by itself
for another two weeks>
I think after this ordeal I'm going to ban myself to fishes
that even a 5 year old can take care of!
I thought I was moving much slower than before: QT-ing my fishes
for 3 weeks prior to introduction to DT, treating them, teaching
them to eat pellet foods like Spectrum and Formula One/Two
pellets...I was really thinking that I was doing something right
because everything I read about Tangs is that they break out in
Ich every time a new fish is added,
<Not uncommonly>
so that is why I thought that I had a controlled environment to
add that Achilles now. I not only stressed ALL my fishes but also
put myself in a corner.
I don't know what I can do to repay the kindness, support,
and honest insight of Bob and all the crew at WWM!
My most sincere gratitude to you and the crew!
THANK YOU!
Jamie Barclay
<Mmm, do consider trading the Achilles back to your dealer...
BobF>
Re: Need help making a hard choice
regarding fish illness/stress/treatment. Crypt, Tangs dis f's
1/5/10
Hello Bob,
Hope all is going well for you. I believe that you are at some
exotic destination right now?
<Nope... am home in San Diego, CA>
An update after returning Powder Blue, Atlantic Blue, Kole Tang,
Clown Fairy Wrasse, Cleaner Wrasse, and Flame Angel to display
tank.
The fishes are happier - eating well, swimming around, enjoying
the rock
scape. Sad to say, the Powder Blue has "bumps" that I
think are ich!
<Don't "jump" to conclusion, or (over) react
here>
Oh, boy. I am so exhausted from ich! I even temperature/pH
matched ro/di water dipped them ALL prior to putting them back!
The PBT was in the fresh water for EIGHT minutes! I don't
think the ich was from the DT, it had to be already on the PBT
because it showed it self in one day.
<Could be from either or even just deeply "embedded"
on the fish>
Minimal scratching behaviour and eating like little piggies!
I'm at a loss now.
Should I give him a week to see if he can fight it off?
<Yes I would>
Or start getting the energy and strength to move them all back
out?
<No>
I know that I will not be able to psychologically handle this ich
if it is recurring. I've had the Clown Fairy Wrasse and Flame
Angel for over two years now and I can not bear the thought of
losing them.
If I do decide to get rid of the PBT, are the Kole and Atlantic
Tang just as bad as the PBT?
<Mmm, no. Not as susceptible by far>
I've read on WWM that they are better, especially the Kole
but I'm wondering about the AT as I've read conflicting
information on them.
<Not usually kept... there's far fewer "data
points" re their husbandry>
I've kept three marine tanks for almost three years now and
NEVER had ich till now. I'm wondering if tangs should be
permanently off my list.
I told my husband (who asked me to get fishes that
"swims" which led to the tangs in the first place),
"Honey-love, if I have to take the Powder Blue back. I will
have a whole tank of perching fishes! No more swimmers except the
Clown Fairy and Flame!" He looked sad but he has also
watched me change 20 gallons of water every day for the past five
weeks!
Another thought: I've read somewhere that there may be some
ich that stays embedded and "dormant" in particularly
the tangs and they flair up when the fish senses excitement and
the ich becomes active again. Is there such a theory floating
somewhere out there?
<Oh yes. Is so>
Does the tangs have something that
makes them so prone to ich?
<Soft skin, small scales... more easily stressed as a group...
and they "get around" as you note... more likely to
"pick up" trophonts>
I know that there is a difference in their skin structure but
wouldn't that make them more prone in the ocean too?
<Yes, and are>
Dearest Bob, I wish I had better news to share after the success
from quinine sulfate but I thought that you would like to know
what happened.
<I do>
Lastly, I took the Achilles Tang back and they gave me store
credit for the full amount I paid for him. I thought that was
more than fair. I'm lucky to have such a decent and
conscientious LFS so close to me.
<Yes; and glad to hear/read of this as well>
Thank you so much! Any advice, ideas, thoughts would be greatly
appreciated!
Jamie Barclay
<I urge patience... perhaps the bolstering of immune systems
with soaking foods with HUFA and Vitamin complex. Read here
re:
http://wetwebmedia.com/vitaminmarfaqs.htm
BobF>
Re: Need help making a hard choice regarding fish
illness/stress/treatment. Crypt, tangs 1/5/10
Greetings Bob,
You are so lucky in San Diego where it is probably warm and
sunny! I'm in Ohio and it is 19 degrees with freezing
snow.
<You can't just drive down to the beach eh?>
I read your suggested FAQs and I've been using VitaChem to
soak frozen Mysis and brine with Spirulina ever since I started
keeping marine fish and about a year ago, I started Selcon
because of what I've read here, on WWM! I remember noting the
vast improvement in not only my fishes but my corals about 3
weeks after starting Selcon soaked foods. Around the time I
started Selcon, I also started the Ocean Nutrition Formula One
pellets and since I've acquired the tangs, I bought Formula
Two and Spectrum. I'm lucky that all the fishes I have LOVE
the pellets and that supports what you say about the success of
keeping marine fish is to get them onto Spectrum or the Ocean
Nutrition Pellets!
<Ah yes>
All the fishes who did not take the pellets have died around a
year in captivity. I also give the tangs a fairly constant supply
of Red, Brown, Green, and Purple dried seaweed.
My Powder Blue Tang looks less bumpy today.
<A good sign>
I will keep watch and be patient without over reacting as you
have suggested. NO ich on any other fish in the tank, some
scratching but I think that is expected of tangs - right?
<Yes>
I've enclosed a couple of pictures for you to see. I think
you can make out a few spots on his face where it is black.
<Mmm, can't quite see>
The last picture is just funny with all the fishes looking into
the camera, I guess it's also a good picture for you to see
how fat they are.
Thanks for letting me share my experiences with you and many
others at WWM!
Jamie
<Cheers! BobF>
|
|
Foxface with marine ich? 12/30/09
Hi,
<Hello>
Thanks for a great web site, many hours have been spent here over
the years!
<Welcome>
I just received a small (2")
<Wow! Tiny>
Foxface (Siganus unimaculatus) from my LFS yesterday.
According to them, it has been in quarantine for 2 weeks before
shipping to me.
<Evidently w/ other fishes infested w/ Crypt>
Now I have the fish in my quarantine tank (15 gallon, salinity
1.025, pH 8.2, nitrite nitrate ammonia undetectable by my
Salifert test kits).
Immediately when I put it in the QT I noticed a couple of black
spots with white "pimples" in the middle of them (see
attached pictures).
Today, 24 hours later, the black spots are almost completely
gone, and the white "pimples" are getting hard to see
(some reduced in size, some completely gone).
The fish has not been showing any other symptoms, it has nice
colors, does not scratch itself or swim erratic, breath
normally.
I have never seen marine ich (Cryptocaryon irritans) in real
life, and I have not found any good close ups of it,
<Oh! There are many such reference images in print
works>
so I wonder if you could have a look the pictures and tell me
what's your opinion? Is this marine ich as I suspect, or is
it something else?
BTW, feel free to use the pictures on the web site if you
wish.
/Johan
<Does appear to be Cryptocaryon. See WWM re and the use of
Quinine compounds for control. Bob Fenner>
|
|
Yellow Tang, Crypto, Reading --
11/04/2009
Hi,
<Hey there! JustinN here!>
I have a yellow tang in a 55g tank i also have 3 yellow tail damsels, 1
bicolor Dottyback, and 2 scooter blennies. The tank has been up since
September-19-09.
<This tank is too small ultimately for the Tang, and likely too
immature to support even a single scooter blenny, much less two. The
tang has potential to outsize the tank very quickly, and the scooter
blennies are obligate fauna feeders -- they will pick your tank clean
of their necessary food source quickly.>
I got a yellow tang on October-3-09 and he was doing fine until I had a
ich infection which i treated with Kordon Rid-Ich+.
<Treated in your display? This should be done in a quarantine
tank.>
I am still treating with this the yellow tang has no visible signs of
ich but the Dottyback does.
<Is parasitic, and communicable to all fish in a mixed display here.
This is why Quarantine is so important.>
I have just noticed (about 3 days ago) red spots on the Yellow tang and
they seem to be getting worst by the day.
<Sounds like chemical burn/irritation here>
He looks like he has hole in head. The red spots are at the tail. I
can't identify what they are. My tanks recent test values are as
follows: Nitrate-30, Nitrite-0, Alkalinity-300, pH-7.9.
<What is your Salinity at? Your pH is a bit low, should be in the
8.1-8.3 range -- Nitrate should be at, or as close to, 0 as possible.
The nitrate alone may be enough to cause the burning, but if the
Formalin/Malachite
solution is being dosed too highly, this could easily cause the
'burning' as well."
Their is a small electrical current measuring .002v in the tank.
<Most likely unrelated, but there shouldn't be stray voltage in
your tank.>
The filtration is a emperor 400 filter and a coral life super skimmer
for a 125g tank.
<The main thing you need here is some reading -- your tank is very
immature, and is likely still going through its establishing nitrogen
cycle. Exacerbating this is your stocking levels -- you have too many
fish, far too soon, and the tank is still attempting to establish its
biota balance. In addition to this, by treating your display tank with
the Formalin/Malachite compound, you are effectively killing all
beneficial bacterium/biological filtration available in your tank.
These medications treat indiscriminately. More reading is in order --
start here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/formalinart.htm
http://wetwebmedia.com/stocking1.htm
http://wetwebmedia.com/quaranti.htm
http://wetwebmedia.com/watrqualmar.htm
http://wetwebmedia.com/nitratesmar.htm
and related subheadings. -JustinN>
Tangs... a bunch of hooey and a direction to read
re protozoan infested systems 05/23/09
Okay first I have a 90 reef set up where I have a Blue Hippo 5"
and a yellow tang 4.5" and a 3.5" blue eyed kole tang living
happily together. I also have several small angels mixed happily as
well.
<Several as in the M.E. "many?">
So please don't always act like it can't be done with these
dramatic it is horror stories...
<I don't>
second is where I am having the problem and thought I would add that 5
fairy wrasses live happily in this tank without all the horror
stories...
<Who is reading your fishes these horror stories?>
it is my 75 reef tank. I can't get a tang to live in there. I just
finally found out that a hitch hiker on my live rock; this tang disease
or black spot or black ick might be the culprit.
<Nah... an old roomie (Mike Kent) worked extensively on
Paravortex... not "that" deleterious a (space)
parasite>
The Tangs I have put in look like dust is on them in the morning
<Oh! This is a Protozoan... likely Cryptocaryon>
and I have 2 cleaner wrasses
<Labroides not advised... and won't "cure" such
issues>
in there and they would have them clean in no time I also have 2
cleaner shrimp as well, plus the fairies clean as well I have noticed.
Now I know wrasses eat flat worms
<Mmm, no... only a few wrasses eat some kinds/species of
Platyhelminths... most are very unpalatable>
and this tang black spot ick is said to be a flat worm so why
aren't they gone yet? I can't use copper in the tank because of
the coral and the only ones dying are any tangs I put in there. I
raised a yellow eye kole in my micro reef and let him in there,
thinking it was poor quality fish from the stores. Even he didn't
survive past a month. I left it without tangs for over a month and it
comes back. I have tried many kinds of different tangs and they always
die in the first week. How do I get around this?
<... you have an entrenched (resident) Crypt infestation... Read
here:
http://wetwebmedia.com/parasittksfaqs.htm
and the linked files above. Bob Fenner>
Re: Tangs... another day, more reading
05/24/09
Thanks, I wasn't saying the responder directly was saying the
horror stories but when I read thru the FAQs I saw a lot of complaints
about mixing tangs...sorry if I offended
<No worries Rev>
I read up on this crypt thing and I think that is it. I saw it takes up
to 90 days
<Most times, cases, sooner than this>
to die off in the tank and treat it typically like ick to kill it with
lower salinity and above 80 temps.
<One approach>
They survived last summer when ac broke at 85 so I will let it dance
into the low 80s and take the sal, to 1.020 to help speed the
process.
<Won't do it>
One last question I saw it said Rabbitfish and surgeons(tangs) get it,
but some of the stuff I read sounded like other fish could be
affected.
<All species are to degrees susceptible>
My other fish have lived for months with no problems will they be safe
as the crypt dies off while I wait out this 90 day period to kill it
off.
<Read on... your other fishes are just sub-clinical... BobF>
Re: Tangs with White Spot (possible Crypt)
Overstocking. 4/29/2009
Sorry for thee lack of information
<Hello Youssef, no problem>
My tank 55 gallons with sump; mechanical filter and wet and dry.
Inside I have 4 small blue tangs (hippo)
<There is no way four hippo Tangs will survive in a 55 gallon
tank.>
1 large Sailfin < Grows to 16", needs a minimum of 150 gallons,
300 gallons would actually be better.>
2 Pseudochromis <Aggressive>
1 small blue damselfish <Aggressive>
2 percula clown fish <Aggressive>
1 small yellow wrasse
2 yellow clown gobies
2 cleaner shrimps
1 blue cleaner wrasse
Thanks in advance
<Youssef, your tank is dangerously overstocked. The mix of fish you
have in this tank is not sustainable. It is likely that your hippo Tang
does have Ich Hippo Tangs are more vulnerable to it than most,
especially when stressed.>
<You will need to set up some sort of hospital or quarantine
tank.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ichartmar.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ichart2mar.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/quaranti.htm>
<Do consider returning most of these fish to the store. Do read
here
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/stocking1.htm
>
<Mike>
Re: More Re: Hurricanes, Ick, and the like...
11/17/08 Bob, <Tom> Thanks for the follow up. I
don't have questions much as updates. I had a lengthy
discussion with Dr. Bryan at Natl. Fish Pharm regarding this
disease. I have not had any success in treating it. I have kept
Quinine in the water constantly, always with the same results -
Ich present the next morning, only on this one fish. The Tomato
Clown has shown some cysts present, but not always, and no where
near the number as on this Atlantic Blue Tang (100+).
<Dang!> Dr. Bryan said what you said in your reply... that
something might be pulling the medication out of the system.
There is no carbon in the tank, nor any poly filters. The UV
filter has been off. The protein skimmer has been running, but
only for water flow - the air intake has been off so it has not
been skimming. If something is pulling medication out of the
water, <The substrate... alkaline earth materials... mainly
calcium, magnesium... little doubt> it is a mystery to me. The
filtration is as follows: Fluval FX5, bio-media only; 150 gallon
rated wet/dry filter, bio balls, standard blue/white filter pad
rinsed weekly; Prism Pro skimmer with air flow turned off. Last
night, I did a 20% water change and put the skimmer back on. The
water quality has been deteriorating due to medication and lack
of skimming, to the point where now I've got Cyanobacteria
and excessive algae blooms. I have been doing partials throughout
the treatment, but with the excessive treatment length and lack
of skimming, I'm thinking the fish are suffering more from
poor water quality than the parasite. <I agree with you>
One interesting thing was that the last time I had to use this
treatment, the quinine killed the Cyano... now it is not. It does
seem like the medication is not in the water. So I guess I do
have a question... how could medication be removed from the tank?
<Again... mostly the chemical family mentioned (second column
from the left in Mendelevian periodic charts... to lesser extents
other materials in the water... I would move the fishes, treat
elsewhere, sans substrate, other carbonaceous materials>
I'm to the point where I'm thinking I may have to let
this run its course. I have to move to a new house in a week and
break this entire tank down. I won't take these fish to any
dealer for fear of introducing this resistant strain of ick into
any other systems. If all the fish die, then I can let it sit
fallow for a few months, though I wonder if the ick will be gone
even with that course of action. I hate the thought of doing
that, though. I have some copper safe and a test kit, which I
have not used. I'm sure that if I put that in there, all that
live rock will absorb copper and be worthless from that point on.
I've attached the best picture I could take of the tang, not
that you can make much of the photo. <Is "beat"...
thin... Do consider treating all in an "empty"
setting> Thomas Roach
<Bob Fenner>
|
|
Re: Tang with powerful ich, re discussion Wednesday
11/17/2008 Hey, Mr. Fenner <Tom> I saw your reply
posted on WetWeb, and haven't gotten the email yet so I
wanted to add one bit of info. He does look 'beat' and
thin... Wednesday night I gave him a FW dip to try and give him
some relief, ph adjusted, for about 4 minutes. He still looks
rough from that, but is eating well. I'm looking at some
options for treating in a bare tank, and this is one of them,
tell me your opinion.... When I move this tank this weekend, in
theory I can set it up bare initially. I could leave the LR in a
cooler with a powerhead while I do this, as long as necessary to
let the LR go fallow. I've had a portion of LR, along with
snails, hermits and starfish now for about a month, and I'm
leaning towards leaving them separate even longer to fallow it
out. The tank is 200 gallons, and running it with the filtration
listed in the other email and quinine, would the bio media in the
wet/dry and the FX5 be enough to eliminate ammonia/nitrite build
up? <Should be, though there may be a lag time, a minor
"mini-cycle"> Of course I'll be monitoring it,
just wondering what you would expect. I think I'm not going
to worry about the sand, as far as preserving bacteria. I'm
going to give it a good freshwater rinsing to clean it before
putting it back in, figuring the majority of the beneficial
bacteria is on the LR anyhow. If this is the way to go, it will
be done. Even if this fish passes, I'll be unable to add any
other fish due to the presence of this scourge... I have to kill
it one way or the other. Thomas Roach <Only experience
can/will show here. Bob Fenner>
|
Naso Tang 007, hlth. 10/14/08 Dear Crew,
First off, thank you for a wonderful web-site. I just happen upon
it a few weeks ago and thoroughly enjoying reading all the vast
amount of information. It's very commendable of you to offer
such a tremendous service. I do own a copy of CMA. Great book Dr.
Fenner! <Mmm, no doctorate, just Bob, please> I'm
somewhat of a newbie in that I left the hobby several years ago
as time constraints (i.e. 3 children) along with moving to new
residence kept me from re-establishing my tank. Anyhow, my reason
for writing today is that I am starting up my 300 gal. FOWLR and
have made my first fish purchase. One of the fish being a 6"
Blonde Naso Tang. This fish was offered at discount through the
retailer (F&S) you mention on your web-site frequently. (I
wonder if it had been in their tank for long period of time, thus
the reason for the discounted price?) <Possibly> I received
the fish on Weds. afternoon and by Sat. morning he developed what
appears to me to be Lateral Line Disease. I am attaching a
picture for your review. <I see> The Naso was placed in
quarantine tank 30 gal.(4' x 1' x 1' ) upon receipt
on Weds. 10/08. The water in the quarantine tank is being treated
each day with Kordon's Prevent Ich per their instructions.
<Mmm, won't "treat" HLLE... in fact the
ingredients here, the further stress... will drive all the other
direction> Water parameters are as follows: spg 1.023,
<Mmm, low, but likely better here for gas exchange
purposes> ammonia 0, nitrites 0, nitrates <5, temp. 76, ph
8.2. He is currently not accepting food i.e. mysis shrimp, krill
dip in vita-chem, red algae w/garlic sheets, flakes, etc.
<Stop! I would move this fish (back) into the 300 gallon
setting... The etiology/causative mechanism of the syndrome shown
won't "spread" as a consequence to other
livestock... and otherwise the chance of this fish resolving is
very small> He is not actively swimming around tank,
occasional stroll and then sits on bottom. <More bad
behavior> Today, Monday, he has started gilling. I have been
using a power head position right at the water-line to agitate
the surface so that there's plenty of air mixing with the
water. <Mmm, not for this species... Move it> Could you
please confirm my diagnoses and provide any other information on
treatment as well as suggestions on what else can be done to save
him. I read all that I could find own your web-site with respect
HIHLL and seems to me that the general consensus for its cause is
related to nutrition and water quality. <Yes, this is so>
With that being the case, what could have caused this condition
in such a short period of time (3 1/2 days) given the water
parameters? <Stress period... as you speculate, just how long
has this fish been kept, moved about in sub-par conditions?>
Your response most appreciated.
<Welcome. Bob Fenner>
|
|
Re: Emailing: Naso Tag 007...
reading... Crypt 10/14/08 Thank you Bob for your
response. <Welcome Scott> Sorry about calling you Dr. but,
a man of with your wealth of knowledge and experience certainly
qualifies you to be one. Just wanted to clarify a few things.
First off, the Tang did perish yesterday afternoon ( I wish I had
received your reply sooner as I would have acted on your advise
to move him). Secondly, I was following the personal
recommendation of one Kordon's scientist/marine biologist who
said I should quarantine all tangs for about six weeks <Mmm,
please see at least WWM re my opinions here and rationale for
same... we differ> and treat the quarantine tank initially
with Kordon's organic Prevent Ich product <... and my
input re this product. NOT reliable> for seven days and stop
if no Ich presents. He stated that Tangs were notorious for
carrying Ich <This is so> and by using this product it
would likely eradicate any internal/external parasites( I assumed
he wasn't giving me a sales pitch!). <Mostly> The HIHLL
problem did not present until after nearly two days of
quarantining. <Likely the Kordon product was more cause
here...> I did not realize that the product in question would
create additional stress as there is no information to contrary
on Kordon's Prevent Ich label/ web-site. Thirdly, I did not
do a freshwater dip as your web-site seemed to indicate that this
method should not be utilized for Tangs unless parasites were
observed on the fish prior to placing it in the quarantine tank.
Would this have made a difference for this fish? <Perhaps...
but... only can guess> So should I be employing a different
strategy for my quarantining fish? <... you should... read>
This Kordon product is somewhat new and does not require water
changes during treatment (tremendous benefit). <... again,
take a look on the BBs... others input... Kordon is a good co.,
with many fine products... this is not one of them> All other
fish, yellow tang, blue hippo, and one spot fox face seem to be
doing fine during this treatment. Thank you again for your time.
Scott
<BobF>
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Surgeonfishes: Tangs for Marine Aquariums
Diversity, Selection & Care
New eBook on Amazon: Available here
New Print Book on Create Space: Available
here
by Robert (Bob) Fenner |
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