Pretty sure I have Marine Ich - help

[CMOS]

Hello All,


I need help. Here's the scoop: New 50 gal tank that I plan on making a reef tank, about 8 weeks old, cycle complete. I have about 40-45 lbs live rock, a Firefish Goby, Banded Coral Shrimp, Peppermint Shrimp, and 2 days ago I added a Coral Beauty, who now appears to have Ich.

I've read a few threads about Marine Ich (MI) and am not encouraged.

What are my options here? What can I do so that I will still be able to make this a reef tank in the future?

What do y'all suggest I do considering that I only have 2 fish in this tank (and 2 shrimp) and have not yet added any corals?

If I remove the fish to a QT, do the shrimp in my main tank still host the MI?

Thanks for any help,
CMOS

[Ninong]

The shrimp cannot host the ich parasite, only fish. You must remove ALL fish from the aquarium to a QT tank.

Lee has full instructions for dealing with ich as a sticky post on this page.

[Ninong]

Marine Ich - Myths and Facts

Hyposalinity Treatment

Copper - Treatment, Use, Problems

A Fish Quarantine Process

P.S. -- The marine ich parasite, Cryptocaryon irritans, almost always responds to hyposalinity. IMO it is much safer than copper.

Please read all instructions carefully and follow them to the letter. Pay particular attention to the length of time you must allow the display aquarium to remain fallow (without fish) and the fact that you should raise salinity in the QT gradually after completion of the treatment.

[CMOS]

Marine Ich - Myths and Facts

Hyposalinity Treatment

Copper - Treatment, Use, Problems

A Fish Quarantine Process

P.S. -- The marine ich parasite, Cryptocaryon irritans, almost always responds to hyposalinity. IMO it is much safer than copper.

Please read all instructions carefully and follow them to the letter. Pay particular attention to the length of time you must allow the display aquarium to remain fallow (without fish) and the fact that you should raise salinity in the QT gradually after completion of the treatment.

Thanks for the replies. I stayed up late last night and read most of the above. Good stuff.

It is POSSIBLE that what I saw yesterday was sand particles on "her". I don't see any spots on her today, although I have not yet gotten a full body shot look at her (she loves the reef!).

I'm hoping I saw sand as she does like to dig around under the reef.

CMOS

[leebca]

It is POSSIBLE that what I saw yesterday was sand particles on "her".

That would be likely about 0.001% of the time. You need to re-read that first link: Marine Ich - Myths and Facts

What you are seeing and reported is specifically mentioned in that post. The 'now-you-see-it; now-you-don't' phase of the parasite's life cycle.

Good luck!

[CMOS]

That would be likely about 0.001% of the time. You need to re-read that first link: Marine Ich - Myths and Facts

What you are seeing and reported is specifically mentioned in that post. The 'now-you-see-it; now-you-don't' phase of the parasite's life cycle.

Good luck!

How can I tell the difference between a possible sand spray and the "now you see it now you don't" phase of MI???

Can the fish go from many white spots all over the fish to none the very next day?


CMOS

[leebca]

You can tell from others' experience and knowing how the parasite lives and operates.

Is it possible to go from spotty to zero. Absolutely. It's one of the parasites best known features. It provides many hobbyists excuses to take no action.

[CMOS]

You can tell from others' experience and knowing how the parasite lives and operates.

Is it possible to go from spotty to zero. Absolutely. It's one of the parasites best known features. It provides many hobbyists excuses to take no action.

Of course - I don't WANT to take any action. Action = tearing down all of my reef rock and QT those 2 little fishes.

As of now, all spots gone from all fish. I'm not gonna touch that.


CMOS

[Ninong]

And where do you think the "spots," as you call them, go after they drop off your fish?

[underseaworld]

I had an out break of ich 4 to 5 years ago. I used extreme garlic and it worked and I did not lose any of my fish or coral life. It never came back since. Has anyone used this?

[CMOS]

Well guys, the Coral Beauty is dead. She wasn't symptomatic for a week or so then all of the sudden I saw her hiding and doing the jerky shimmy movements. Two days later I saw her body in the back of the tank under the reef. Guess she'll make a few meals for my shrimp. ;;

So, I figure I have Ich in the tank and don't see any other option but to remove the one and only fish I have in there (Firefish Goby) and let the tank sit for 8-10 weeks for the Ich to die out hostless.

Would y'all agree with this?


CMOS

[leebca]

I would have agreed to this a few weeks ago.

[CMOS]

I would have agreed to this a few weeks ago.

Here's the biggest trick - how to get that little booger out of the tank without having to dismantle the entire reef structure???


CMOS

[leebca]

How to Catch Fish -or- Goin' Fisin'

The real trick is having the desire to put the fish's needs ahead of the inconvenience.

[Seige]

Here's the biggest trick - how to get that little booger out of the tank without having to dismantle the entire reef structure???


CMOS

Sorry about your loss.

Just a lil note. On one end of my tank I have a clear area without any LR. Helps to catch them.

Maybe you can plan that into your layout for next time.