Ich Advice

martelr · 01-07-2005, 12:05 PM

I have a nano tank, up for about three months now. Water parameters are stable, 8.3 pH, no nitrates. I have a reverse-lit fuge with chaeto in it, about 200 GPH circulation, lots of live rock, and a disgustingly cool amount of pods and rapidly growing feather duster worms.

I recently purchased a purple pseudochromis and a pipefish and placed them in the tank, because (like an idiot) I figured that since I didn't have any fish in there yet, I didn't need to quarantine the new arrivals. The pipefish is quite happy and is eating all the time. The pseudochromis seemed very happy until this morning, when I noticed that he is now covered in white spots and is dive bombing up and down (probably trying to scratch himself).

Here is my problem--I realize both fish need to be removed from the tank, freshwater dipped (possibly w/ medication--suggestions?), and quarantined for six weeks to let the main tank lie fallow and rid itself of any ich that may be present.

However, the pipefish eats pods off of live rock.

How do I QT the pipefish without having it starve to death? If I had to pick one to lose, it would be the pseudochromis, but obviously I don't want to lose either (although I'm not even sure he'll make it until I get home today...)

Any and all advice is welcome. I will obviously quarantine everything in the future. D'oh!

Thanks!

Raph

Lowman · 01-07-2005, 01:12 PM

try to see if it will eat cycloeeze, mine do, then you can put it in the qt tank

Illusion · 01-07-2005, 01:25 PM

pipefish from my understanding dont get Ich.. I would leave them in the tank... Dont quote me on that but thats my suggestion

James

Ps there is also Saliferts Stop Parasite which is supposed to be reef safe... According to Salifert that is... With the salifert Name I would trust it...

Check RC in the Salifert forum for some info..

WAVESHAUN · 01-07-2005, 01:30 PM

Raph-

Sorry to hear of this. You may want to treat the whole system with Kent RX-P. This will not hurt your corals, pods, algae - or anything other than the ich, provided you use as directed.

I have never seen a pipefish with visible ich either. But it does not mean it doesn't have it.

martelr · 01-07-2005, 01:50 PM

I am proceeding under the assumption that the pipefish has ich or will get it (they don't get the cysts on the outer body, but their gills can be heavily infected, and they will literally drop dead).

Shaun/Sam, do you have cyclopeeze in stock today? I was going to come by anyway to get a new cleaner shrimp to replace the one that died, so perhaps I could pick up some cyclopeeze along with that.

If I can get the pipefish to eat, then we are home free and I will quarantine it and treat as usual.

If I cannot, I will either do the RX-P or the Salifert Stop Parasite.

Thanks, everyone!

Raph

WAVESHAUN · 01-07-2005, 02:13 PM

Yes, Cyclopeeze is instock! We'll see you soon.

alkee42 · 01-07-2005, 02:27 PM

Kent's RX-P is kinda scarey stuff... even though it says it is reef safe, if you have any porcelan(sp?) crabs, or emerald crabs, or any other crabs of that body style ( 8 legs 2 big pinchers) I'd take them out first... I haven't personally had any trouble with it, but I know people that have. Whenever I use it, its a LAST resort, and I only ever dose HALF of what the bottle says.

Illusion · 01-07-2005, 02:29 PM

I havent Tried the RXp but when I was reading the bottle it said remove such and such and I didnt like that Idea... The salifert stuff seems good... The only Reef-Safe stuff that I used was Chem Marins Stop Parasite... It worked good and Saved my Hippo Tang from a "Petco" death... Still have her today and thats 1.5yrs so far... Not found of "ReefSafe" stuff but I know my investment is in saliferts hands everytime I test and I have not had an issue yet... The pepper based stuff (rxp and chem marins) seem to have a pretty drastic effect on pH.. I havent ever tried the Salifert stuff but if i ever have to I will be... Make sure whatever you do that the pipefish can handle low Sg... They are very sensitive to copper I know that..

James

martelr · 01-07-2005, 02:31 PM

Awesome. I'll see you around 4 pm.

I'll be certain to let everyone know how I treated the two fish, and the results of the treatment in a few weeks.

You know, I know the rules: one fish at a time, always quarantine any new arrivals... I just didn't follow them. Argh!

Raph

martelr · 01-07-2005, 03:48 PM

Looks like I'm down to just the pipefish. My wife phoned to tell me that the purple pseudochromis has died. I will head home to remove him from the tank shortly.

It's very sad. I really liked that fish.

Raph