Cleaner fish isn't cleaning!

[corallo]

Hi, we just bought a Cleaner Wrasse because of a big infestation of ich in our 55g tank. We had gotten a kook tang about three weeks before and he came down with ich one week after. His condition is deteriorating slowly but surely. The cleaner wrasse has been in the tank for about an hour and a half but doesn't seem to be interested in the tang. He just has been exploring the tank. Is he trying to set up a cleaning station or is the tang not letting him clean. Any tips to get him to start cleaning.

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

No "cleaner" types of fish/ shrimp will rid your tank of ick. The information you need can be found in this Forum. There's a few stickies about ick and setting up a quarantine/ hospital tank written by Lee. I've read them during the set up of my aquarium and found they seem to provide the most accurate and affective treatment options. Follow them step by step and I'm sure you can rid your tank of ick in no time (at least 8 weeks). Good luck.
also, be sure to read up on the importance of a quarantine tank for new fish.
I should also add that I'm new to marine aquariums but Lee's posts/ stickies guided me on the right path from the start.
I'm sure if Lee chimes in, he'll get you where you need to go.

[Parrothead]

Additionally, all fish will need to be qt'ed and the tank will have to be without fish for a min. of 8 weeks to insure that all parasites have gone through their life cycle and died off.

[leebca]

I've replied in your other thread: Kole Tang Lying On it's Side! Help!

[Ninong]

Hi corallo,



Unfortunately, this is the only way to rid your aquarium of marine ich: Curing Fish of Marine Ich

In answer to your specific question about your cleaner wrasse, which I will assume is Labroides dimidiatus, you shouldn't even get one of those unless your tank is at least 300 gallons and contains a large number of fish. Scientific studies have shown that these fish are obligate cleaaners. They must clean to stay alive. However, eating parasites, such as Cryptocaryon irritans, is not there primary diet item. Mainly they consume dead tissue from the surface of the fish, along with some parasites.

They rarely survive in captivity except in really large tanks with lots and lots of fish as potential clients.

No fish is going to behave naturally just after it has been introduced to an entirely new environment, and that includes cleaner wrasses. Wrasses, in particular, often take several days before they even start eating or coming out of hiding.