Blue Tang sick with Ich and ??

[Waterbabies]

Perhaps someone can help to guide me in the care of a sick Tang. I have had her for about 4 or 5 years. She began to get grain like salt crystals on her so I treated her for Ich. She did not appear to get any better. So I pulled her into a QT tank. I have treated her with CopperSafe and the Ich is better. It was also recommended that I treat her with Maracyn or an Erythromycin Anti-biotic. Which have done. She appeared to be etting better (in looks) but now she has stopped eating and she has always had a white film over her eyes that will not go away. Is this Popeye and should I treat her with a Gram-Negative Antibiotic now as well.

Can I treat her with both a Positive and Negative Anti-biotic at the same time? I have also included some pictures as attachments. Any suggestions would be most appreciated.

[leebca]

I would first make these observations.

There is no known, reliable cure for Marine Ich (Cryptocaryon irritans) that can be performed in the display tank.

One of the worst copper treatment medication is, in my opinion, CopperSafe.

Please read the following: Copper - Treatment, Use, Problems

If it was/is Marine Ich, a proper treatment would have taken care of it. So I don't readily understand why it might still have that disease, unless you are saying it is now cleared of that.

A fish that has Marine Ich in the display tank could have been exposed to it for many months or years. That shortens the life of the fish and this fish could be just at the end of that stress (i.e. near death).

All the other fish in the display tank also have Marine Ich, even if they are not displaying. If this is the only fish, then let the display go fishless for 8 weeks. Read this if you will: Marine Ich - Myths and Facts

If there are other fish in the display and it is Marine Ich, they should be treated, but using either Cupramine or hyposalinity.

Now, back to your fish. You can treat the fish with Gram Negative and Gram Positive antibiotics at the same time. Most of these antibiotics are compatible. I know for sure that Maracyn One and Maracyn Two for Saltwater fishes can be used together.

If the white film is long-term, it may be an eye problem. This would not be Popeye. It could be a cataract condition or long term battle with bacteria. Since the fish is weakened from the MI attack, it would most likely be a long bout with bacteria. The antibiotics should clear that up IF they are used properly.

Almost every chance this fish has at surviving will depend upon your treatment AND the nutrition this fish is receiving. If this fish is given the proper nutrition, including vitamin and fat supplements, it should likely pull through UNLESS as mentioned above, the fish has reached the end of its struggle with the stress.

For more info on nutrition, please read this: Feeding Marine Fish and Fish Nutrition

I would suggest providing this fish, in addition to the above suggested nutrition, with immune boosters: Fish Immune Boosters

The above is the best I can offer without more information about your system, your maintenance, etc.

Good luck!

[Waterbabies]

Thanks for your suggestions. The tang is in a QT tank and if it was Ich this is no longer the issue. I have been treating with Marcyn Plus as an antibiotic in case there is a bacterial infection as well. After reading some of the posts I too thought that it might be a cataract on her eyes. She still seams to be eating and I am going to take your advice on the feeding to see if this help her get over whatever she is battling.

The other issue I am trying to remedy is keeping the Ammonia down in the QT tank. For some reason it is high at about 1.0 PPM and with water changes and Ammonia reducer I have not been able to significantly reduce it. This is not likely helping her cope.

My QT tank system is simple (used to be a freshwater tank):

• 20 Gal tank
• Heater
• power head
• Bio Wheel filter

[leebca]

Controlling the QT wastes/pollution is hard. Be vigilant and I hope it works out.