fish help
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Help
Forum Name: EMERGENCY FORUM
Forum Description: If you have an Emergency post here and you should receive a quick reply.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=72314
Printed Date: December 29 2025 at 2:13am
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Topic: fish help
Posted By: Matt
Subject: fish help
Date Posted: July 26 2014 at 7:13pm
I had a few blue reef chromis die in my sump. I figured they did not have enough space between the macro and rocks I have in there. Today one died in my display. My midas blenny seemed to try and bite his tail a bit and rubs against some rock really fast and rub something off of his side. I barely see some white specs on his face and side fins. Now my black cap bass let is running in to rocks to rub something off as well. Any reccomendations would be welcome.
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Matt Savage
"Tattoos and Street Bikes"
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Replies:
Posted By: ReefdUp
Date Posted: July 26 2014 at 8:05pm
Are they gasping? Any signs of open wounds, fins fraying, velvet sheen? Or do you see just a few white dots?
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www.reefdup.com
Diving since 2009, reefkeeping since 2007, & fishkeeping since 1987
200g, 75g, & 15g Systems
PADI Advanced Open Water
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Posted By: Matt
Date Posted: July 26 2014 at 8:08pm
No gasping. No wounds, no fraying, i don't notice a sheen. Black cap swims up to some fish and like yawns at them but that's it. Just crashing in to rocks and some white dots.
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Matt Savage
"Tattoos and Street Bikes"
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Posted By: ReefdUp
Date Posted: July 26 2014 at 8:29pm
Sounds like a typical case of ich then. You can treat them outside the tank...or try to control the infection inside the tank. Depends how crazy you want to go. Obviously, QT treatment is a lot of work, but it actually works. You're gambling otherwise.
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www.reefdup.com
Diving since 2009, reefkeeping since 2007, & fishkeeping since 1987
200g, 75g, & 15g Systems
PADI Advanced Open Water
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Posted By: Matt
Date Posted: July 26 2014 at 8:33pm
I had a fish trap in there for over a week and neither fish ever went in. So short of draining my water I don't know how I would get them out.
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Matt Savage
"Tattoos and Street Bikes"
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Posted By: 1stupidpunk
Date Posted: July 26 2014 at 10:47pm
If your not willing to remove the fish from the tank then i would recommend using Rid-Ich dosed as per the bottles instructions. I have personally used it on my reef tank with great success. Did not damage any corals (they did shrivel up in response to the treatment) or ornamental shrimps. Follow the directions and keep dosing even after you dont see white spots on fish. Ich life cycle come in stages and even though you may not see it the eggs/larvae will most likely still be in your tank for several days.... nikki could tell you the exact time frame (i believe its like 6 weeks)
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Posted By: ReefdUp
Date Posted: July 26 2014 at 11:16pm
There are no in-tank cures for marine ich (cryptocaryon irritans). Even 'Rid-Ich' is just a control.
As far as Rid-Ich goes, I highly question it as a product. I haven't used it, so I can't speak to the efficacy. But, I can speak to the design. It's a combination of formalin (formaldehyde) and malachite green - two of the most dangerous drugs in the hobby. Formalin is incredibly easy to overdose, and then it breaks down quickly enough to require multiple doses. There's no test for it, so you're likely to kill your fish with an overdose or with an underdose rather than the parasite. Malachite green is carcinogenic and is an immunosuppressant. Long story short, this product might help, but these aren't medications I'd recommend using in a reef tank...and it won't even cure the fish.
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www.reefdup.com
Diving since 2009, reefkeeping since 2007, & fishkeeping since 1987
200g, 75g, & 15g Systems
PADI Advanced Open Water
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Posted By: 1stupidpunk
Date Posted: July 26 2014 at 11:27pm
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Sorry I got a bit mixed up I don't recommend Rid-Ich I actually use Kordon brand Ich Attack. It doesn't contain formalin or malachite green. I'm not saying it's a "cure" but it will kill off the vast majority of the parasite and your fishes natural defenses should be able to take over from there.
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Posted By: LakeCityReefs
Date Posted: July 27 2014 at 5:05pm
For what its worth my advice would be to just make sure the fish keep eating. I am convinced that 95% of marine systems have ich in them.
Here is my feeding regiment-
I thaw frozen food in tank water and then strain out the water through a small net, let the food drip off excess moisture for a minute or so, apply a few drops of garlic and a few drops of Selcon. Let soak for a minute.
When feeding the fish I try to add the food slowly. My thought process is that I want the fish to consume the additives before it's diluted away.
I feel that the fish can overcome ich naturally with a good immune system. If a fish stops eating it's immune system will plummet. Garlic entices fish to eat and the Selcon delivers much needed vitamins.
In addition to frozen Mysis I also feed the Angel mix and a gel type food called HPD.
If a fish stops eating I will take more aggressive action by removing for a freshwater dip.
Your fish is flashing off the rocks and opening it's mouth because it wants to be cleaned. Do you have any cleaners?
For the record, I am new to the hobby and yes I have lost several fish and a couple corals.
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Posted By: ReefdUp
Date Posted: July 27 2014 at 6:58pm
Freshwater dips and cleaners do little for marine ich since they embed so far into the skin. Dips and cleaners only get the ich at the surface, which isn't terribly helpful. If anything, the cleaners do more harm than good by continuously picking at an infected fish.
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www.reefdup.com
Diving since 2009, reefkeeping since 2007, & fishkeeping since 1987
200g, 75g, & 15g Systems
PADI Advanced Open Water
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