[Powder Blue]

Fellow Members,

I have posted a number of threads regarding my spot problem on mostly the Regal Tang and have had lots of replies and help.
I did try the QT tank for 2 weeks at a time which cleared up the infection within 3 days of treatment but was not long enough according the experts. I did not clear the main completly and learnt the lesson that cured fish get re-infected shortly after re-introducing.

My LFS said let the fish fight off the parasite on his own and my helpfull friend Ninong said garlic soaked food and hyper-salinity has had some positive results. I have done both, let the fish be and soaked a simple marine flake food in garlic for a day and fed the critters with it. It has been a week now and my Regal Tang has almost completly cleared. He did have some scars which have healed well and has gone from a bad infection of more spots than I could count to presently about 3. I have also been reducing the salinity gradually over the past week as suggested by Ninong which may be helping. There does not seem to be any negative effect on the macro-algea or live rock animals. The advantages of this treatment is one does not have to stress the fish by catching and releasing as well as moving and disturbing the rock in the main which has it's own problems.

The Cleaner Shrimp has been doing wonders as well grooming the Regal regularly as well as the others. I think the scars may have come from the shrimp picking the spots out of my fish's skin. I have some wonderfull photos of the Regal lying horozontal with the shrimp on top cleaning. At one time the Regal did a horozontal 360* turn while the shrimp moved around his body. An action I have never seen before.

For the marine keepers who feel very sensitive about keeping Cleaner Wrasses, I would suggest a Cleaner Shrimp or two. My shrimp cleans more and is much more interesting to watch and can live in harmony with others. I will post a photo soon.

Regards and thanks to all
Powder

[Reefland]

Lowering the salinity with inverts in the tank is not a good idea either; they cannot handle the lowered levels like fish can and will perish. Hyposalinity should only be performed in a Q tank or tank without any live rock or invertebrates.

Scott Z.

[Ninong]

Glad to hear that you have had some success.

I think I will just start posting these links to all the ich threads instead of trying to field all the questions that come up each time someone has this problem.

ATJ's ich explanation: http://www.petsforum.com/personal/tr...marineich.html

Terry B's ich article, Part I: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issu...2003/mini1.htm

Part II: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issu...2003/mini2.htm

Part III: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issu...2004/mini3.htm

Part IV: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issu...2004/mini4.htm

Part V: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issu...2004/mini5.htm

Anyone who thinks they may have marine ich (Cryptocaryon irritans) should read ALL of those articles.

[Powder Blue]

Thank you Ninong,

I would imagine that this terrible parasite is the subject of a lot of discussion. Particularly with new hobbiests like myself.

My garlic treatment has not cured the problem but more reduced the intensity of the infection. My fish are still breaking out with spots every few days. More the Regal Tang than any of the others. The rest look clear on the outside but my have gill infections that I cannot see. The links you have sent me are detailed and extensive. I will forward them to freinds. Thank you.

I have some interesting experiences with my new Anemone which is taking up time and study. My juvenile captivity Common Clowns have decided to host in the Anemone which I was told was very unusual. I am delighted as a hosting Anemone is what I have wanted for a long time and my Clowns are the first pair I started my tank with, 8 months ago. I never knew they would be so aggresive to their host. They wriggle around in it non stop and protect it against other fish much larger than themselves. Even feed it by spitting food into the mouth area of the Anemone. A truly interesting behaviour that makes this hobby worth the time and input.

Regards
Powder