[PIGEON]

I have a 20 gallon long saltwater tank.

the tank has been cycled, I have 2 clowns, a coral beauty, a cleaner shrimp and some live rock.

2 days ago i noticed a dot on one of the clowns. This morning 1 of them had a bunch all over its body, the other had a few on its fins and the coral beauty had a few on its fins.

I went to work, during lunch picked up some garlic drops and copper safe.
I raised the tank temp to 82 before I left, and mixed up and added a little extra salt.

I will say, none of the fish have been darting or shaking or scratching on rocks.

When i got home now 8 hours later, all of the dots are gone from all 3 fish.

Could this have been caused maybe by stress, and its not ick? I would rpefer not to treat unless i have to. The fish are eating, and seem happy. All my levels are where they should be.. good pH, no ammonia or nitrite, nitrate is at 10....

what do you all think? ick? stress? something else?

[leebca]

WELCOME TO REEFLAND!

First, I have to say that the fish in the tank are being space stressed for sure. You don't mention the kind of Anemonefish you have, however if they are the 'average' sized Anemonefish, together with the dwarf Angel, should be no less than a 40+ gallon aquarium.

You should try to learn as much as you can about Marine Ich (Cryptocaryon irritans, including what it looks like. You can Google photos of fishes with it and compare it to what you've seen.

This link will take you to a list of facts about Marine Ich:
Marine Ich - Myths and Facts

If you understand the life cycle of this parasite, the only part of the cycle you see is the white spots on the fish just before they drop off to multiply. In a few days or a couple of weeks, the spots will reappear in larger numbers that might kill your fishes. These parasite spots look like the size white salt grains.

Copper cannot be used in an aquarium where there is carbonate rocks (live rocks), invertebrates (snails, crabs, shrimp, etc.), corals, and substrate. Copper cannot be used to treat a dwarf Angelfish. These fishes are too delicate to be treated with chelated copper. However, there is one copper medication that can be used to cure dwarf Angels of Marine Ich: Cupramine. Read this link to learn about copper treatments: Copper - Treatment, Use, Problems

Next, you should know there is an alternative treatment method for Marine Ich: It is by performing a hyposalinity treatment. That also requires the fish be moved to a hospital tank. You will need a refractometer to perform this treatment properly. This treatment is easiest on the fish, but hardest on the aquarist. For information on how to do this, read this: Hyposalinity Treatment

I know there is a lot for you to read. You have to make the diagnosis since you have not shown me a photo of what the specs look like. To do your own diagnosis will take you becoming knowledgeable on what to look for and what to do. That takes reading.

We are here to help or answer questions.

Good luck!

[PIGEON]

Originally Posted by leebca

WELCOME TO REEFLAND!

First, I have to say that the fish in the tank are being space stressed for sure. You don't mention the kind of Anemonefish you have, however if they are the 'average' sized Anemonefish, together with the dwarf Angel, should be no less than a 40+ gallon aquarium.

You should try to learn as much as you can about Marine Ich (Cryptocaryon irritans, including what it looks like. You can Google photos of fishes with it and compare it to what you've seen.

This link will take you to a list of facts about Marine Ich:
Marine Ich - Myths and Facts

If you understand the life cycle of this parasite, the only part of the cycle you see is the white spots on the fish just before they drop off to multiply. In a few days or a couple of weeks, the spots will reappear in larger numbers that might kill your fishes. These parasite spots look like the size white salt grains.

Copper cannot be used in an aquarium where there is carbonate rocks (live rocks), invertebrates (snails, crabs, shrimp, etc.), corals, and substrate. Copper cannot be used to treat a dwarf Angelfish. These fishes are too delicate to be treated with chelated copper. However, there is one copper medication that can be used to cure dwarf Angels of Marine Ich: Cupramine. Read this link to learn about copper treatments: Copper - Treatment, Use, Problems

Next, you should know there is an alternative treatment method for Marine Ich: It is by performing a hyposalinity treatment. That also requires the fish be moved to a hospital tank. You will need a refractometer to perform this treatment properly. This treatment is easiest on the fish, but hardest on the aquarist. For information on how to do this, read this: Hyposalinity Treatment

I know there is a lot for you to read. You have to make the diagnosis since you have not shown me a photo of what the specs look like. To do your own diagnosis will take you becoming knowledgeable on what to look for and what to do. That takes reading.

We are here to help or answer questions.

Good luck!

Hey thanks for responding. The 2 clowns are small false percula clowns. Its them and the coral beauty, and the shrimp. Is my 20 gallon tank really too small of a tank for those 3 fish and a shrimp?

I have had successful saltwater tanks before... just 55-75 gallons. I have luckily enough never had an ICK problem... amazing right. However, I havd always held fish in a quarintine tank for 10 days befroeo putting in my regular tank... im an idiot for not doing it this time.

I have been reading up plenty the last 2 days, i have seen ick before and that was my first reaction.. however.. i was shocked when i came home today and ALL of the white dots were gone. usually some stick around no?

I have a quarintine tank that I am going to put the shrimp in if I go ahead and copper safe the tank.. which i am debating now with your info on what copper will do to the coral beauty.. I am still debating if I want to do that.

However, if it actually is ick.. and i think it is... shouldnt the fish be darting or scratching on rocks?? because none of them have been doing that at all.

Also.. if i was to move the fish to the quarintine tank and treat them.. the rocks to a bowl of mixed saltwater, wash the tank and the crushed coral on the bottom and then restart up the tank and cycle... would that cure the ick problem?

[leebca]

That first post on Marine Ich Myths answers most of your questions. It's worth taking time to read that one for sure.

The best quarantine process is for 6 weeks. This is a good set of instructions for that: A Fish Quarantine Process

No. Zero spots can be visible at any time during the infection, yet the fish is still sick. Remember too, you can't see behind the gill plate to see how many are attached to the fish's gills.

However, if it actually is ick.. and i think it is... shouldnt the fish be darting or scratching on rocks?? because none of them have been doing that at all.

There are several symptoms besides the spots. Flashing is one, breathing faster than 100 times per minute, wagging, darting about, etc. are others. Not all fish exhibit the same symptoms. Watch closely for any other signs. Measure the rate of the fish breathing.

Copper Safe will likely harm the Dwarf Angel.

The original tank can be stripped down and cleaned, but only if totally torn down. The way to eliminate Marine Ich from a setup is to let it go fishless for 8 weeks.

Read.

[PIGEON]

you said...:

"The original tank can be stripped down and cleaned, but only if totally torn down. The way to eliminate Marine Ich from a setup is to let it go fishless for 8 weeks."

does fishless mean invertebrate less and live rock less also??

Like can cleaner shrimp actually be infected with ick? And what about the live rock... is 8 weeks the cure all?


Thanks for your help... i really appreciate it.

Matt

[leebca]

Fishless means only without fish. Marine Ich can't infect invertebrates or corals. Rock and substrate provides no support for the cycle. Marine Ich parasites need fish to complete its life cycle. Without fish, it will die off within 8 weeks.

[PIGEON]

LEE... You Rule!