Having major problem with ICH

[1percula]

I lost a Gold Rimmed Tang, Royal Gramma and Fox Face to ICH. I have a set of clowns remaining (from 1996), Purple Tang and a cleaner Wrasse. I have Reef tank, so I place the clowns in a bucket and treated with Para Guard per the LFS. They were getting better. I was concerned about keeping them in a bucket more than 3 days so I purchased a 20 long to use as a sick tank.
I placed the clowns, Tang and Foxface in the 20 and I think I lost the Foxface this morning. He is on his side trying to breathe, the Purple Tang and Clowns ICH appears to have kicked in. It now looks like salt instead of a white smear on the sides. I transferred them as carefully as I could, but it seems they are worst off for the stress they endured. I'm just keeping the LED's on for lighting, hoping to reduce the stress level of new tank. I have also been feeding Metronidazole in frozen paste of Brine Shrimp. It seemed to hold the infection but it wasn't going away. It looks like I screwed up with the move to another tank. By the way, upgraded to 36 watt UV on the main system. UV hasn't arrived yet. Any suggestions other than continuation of Para Guard? It seems kinda of tough to change treatments once you go down that road.

 

[jennm]

If it's ich, I'd use Cupramine in the q-tank. That will knock it out much faster.

I'd want to be sure it was ich though - Grammas and clowns are known for Brooklynella - which would require a totally different treatment. Brook isn't exclusive to those fish, but they are very prone to it and can spread it.

I'd suggest getting another set of eyes to look at the symptoms (photo may help if it's clear enough) and then go for a more targeted treatment. Paraguard is good for a number of things, but I'd target the specific problem and use a "bigger gun".

Jenn

 

[1percula]

Is there a waiting period? I just treated the tank with Para Guard a couple of hours ago. I'm pretty sure it's ICH. It looks the same on the Tang as it does on the Clowns. The salt look. I'll try to get a pic to get another set of eyes on it.

 

[jennm]

I wouldn't mix Cupramine with Paraguard (although a quick call to Seachem would confirm or refute whether it's safe to combine them - they are both Seachem products).

Jenn

 

[grouper therapy]

1PERCULA;434606 wrote: I lost a Gold Rimmed Tang, Royal Gramma and Fox Face to ICH. I have a set of clowns remaining (from 1996), Purple Tang and a cleaner Wrasse. I have Reef tank, so I place the clowns in a bucket and treated with Para Guard per the LFS. They were getting better. I was concerned about keeping them in a bucket more than 3 days so I purchased a 20 long to use as a sick tank.
I placed the clowns, Tang and Foxface in the 20 and I think I lost the Foxface this morning. He is on his side trying to breathe, the Purple Tang and Clowns ICH appears to have kicked in. It now looks like salt instead of a white smear on the sides. I transferred them as carefully as I could, but it seems they are worst off for the stress they endured. I'm just keeping the LED's on for lighting, hoping to reduce the stress level of new tank. I have also been feeding Metronidazole in frozen paste of Brine Shrimp. It seemed to hold the infection but it wasn't going away. It looks like I screwed up with the move to another tank. By the way, upgraded to 36 watt UV on the main system. UV hasn't arrived yet. Any suggestions other than continuation of Para Guard? It seems kinda of tough to change treatments once you go down that road.

What kinda of filtration did you use on the new tank ? Is it cycled?

 

[1percula]

Tank is cycled. Been up and running since May. Got a 12 gallon wet/dry configuration. I'm pretty sure it's ICH. I have had a tank since 1996 and I have had runs of it ICH before, however, I could be wrong. I just ran home to take a look to see how things are going and the Clowns and the Tank are clearing up. The Foxface still looks bad, but it did get up and move. I think the Foxface is stressed more than the other fish. All the fish except the Foxface ate a little bit.

 

[1percula]

same areas became raised salt like white dots when I looked at the fish this morning. However when I looked at them at lunch it seemed to be going away and was not the raise salt look with the exception of a few areas.
I don't think ICH is the problem with the Foxface. I think you are correct. The fish is very thick and healthy before last night. It took 20 minutes to catch him. I would think if the disease had really got to him he would not have been able to get up and move when I went home. The Foxface was totally on his side trying to breathe this morning, so he may be in recovery mode.

 

[1percula]

I am going to keep them QT until they look good for a week or so. My new UV should be in by the end of the week, so I'll let it run for at least a week before I put them back. I'm putting a 36 watt on 100 gallons. I only has 9 on it before. That's what I get for following minimum recommendations by the manufacturer. Hopefully I won't lose anymore fish. If I can get through the next couple of days I think I'm OK. Now I'm concerned about the ammonia levels in the new tank. I purchased a new filter and I am running it on my main tank in hopes of establishing bacteria on the wheel. It's been running for a day now, I'll have to put it on the hospital tank soon. We are going to the Independence Bowl and I am worried. I might just take the fish with me. There will be no water change anytime soon, unless ammonia spikes and I know it will.

 

[grouper therapy]

1PERCULA;434743 wrote: Tank is cycled. Been up and running since May. Got a 12 gallon wet/dry configuration. I'm pretty sure it's ICH. I have had a tank since 1996 and I have had runs of it ICH before, however, I could be wrong. I just ran home to take a look to see how things are going and the Clowns and the Tank are clearing up. The Foxface still looks bad, but it did get up and move. I think the Foxface is stressed more than the other fish. All the fish except the Foxface ate a little bit.

I see you answered my ? in another posting. I was referring to the 20 long hospital tank you set up as far as being cycled.

 

[1percula]

They are pretty sure that it's not brooklynella because fish usually die within hours or a couple of days according to them. There really isn't any real treatment for brooklynella that Seachem sells. My fish have been dealing with this over 1 week. I missed a feeding of metro what ever you call it and my Tang died.
I read your post about the UV. The UV that I am getting is rated for up to 500 gallons. I thought I might be safe at 93.

 

[1percula]

I know I have to stay on top of the ammonia. I put a ammonia tag in the water to keep it monitored. I didn't have another choice. I had to get them out of the Reef as soon as I could so I could try to treat this stuff. Considering the spot I'm in, do you have any suggestions? I'll probably drop some LR in it today to help a bit. You probably read earlier in the post that I have the new filter running on my main tank to try to build some bacteria on the bio-wheel. I don't know what else I can do at this point.

 

[grouper therapy]

1PERCULA;434812 wrote: I know I have to stay on top of the ammonia. I put a ammonia tag in the water to keep it monitored. I didn't have another choice. I had to get them out of the Reef as soon as I could so I could try to treat this stuff. Considering the spot I'm in, do you have any suggestions? I'll probably drop some LR in it today to help a bit. You probably read earlier in the post that I have the new filter running on my main tank to try to build some bacteria on the bio-wheel. I don't know what else I can do at this point.

Monitor the ammonia and do water changes. The ammonia stressing the fish will not help with the treatment. I personally think they had a better chance in the display even with the ich than in a non cycled tank with the same ich.

 

[cbrjenkins]

just a ? are they flashing? might help some of the other guys diagnose but im not sure theyll flash with brooklynella or not, just saw it wasnt mentioned thought it might help.

 

[1percula]

fish in the main tank, but I have all kinds of coral, claims, feather dusters and things in my reef. I'll keep a good tag on the ammonia and water changes.