help sick hep tang

tokarsca · 11-01-2005, 07:16 PM

I have had a hep tang in my reef/fish tank for about 1.5 years now. I believe he is full grown at this point. Yesterday i noticed small white and brownish dots developing on him. similar to ick but i havent seen him scratching himself against the rocks as is comon with ick disease. i have other fish, inverts and soft corals in the tank. i am concerned because i do not want the rest of the tank to me infected with what ever this is, but a also dont want to sacrifice my first fish in this tank if i dont have to. another problem is i dont have another tank to quarantine him. what do you think i should do

Loverotties · 11-01-2005, 08:20 PM

Try soaking the food in garlic guard by seachem and give it to him/her for a couple days ,add a UV filter on your reef.

VWD · 11-01-2005, 08:46 PM

Its hard to say what it is, have you put anything new in recently. I agree with George on the garlic. It will keep him eating. I really not sure on it being more then just a appetite booster that will help keep him eating which may help him fight it off.

tokarsca · 11-01-2005, 08:52 PM

I recently added a copperbanded butterfly who is actually doing really well. the issue with the tang developed about 1.5-2 weeks after the cb butterfly was added. i just dont want to lose everything. the tang is eating just fine and acts normal. just has these tiny white speaks on him. other problem is there are corals and inverts in the tank. so meds arent an option

VWD · 11-01-2005, 09:04 PM

Well it sounds like ich and I think you got it with the butterfly if you didn't QT him first and if you got some water fromthe LFS in your tank, Just sit back for now and watch him, You may want to get a QT/ Hospital tank someday.

tokarsca · 11-01-2005, 09:10 PM

so other than waiting and watching is there nothing else i can do? would it be worth trying to catch him and sacrafice him with the hope that the rest of the tank does not get infected????

VWD · 11-01-2005, 09:16 PM

No If ich is in the tank it in and the fish already will have it if it is going to get them at all. The tank may make it. More then likely will if in good shape, He may be the one that is stress because of the new butterfly and came down with it, I never reccomend to sacrifice a fish. Hold off , I have had them make it in most cases.

tokarsca · 11-01-2005, 09:18 PM

being that i have corals and inverts is there additives i can put in the tank or a change in water paramters/ temo to help the fish cope with this??? also will ich affect corals????

VWD · 11-01-2005, 09:20 PM

ich won't hurt the corals and I don't know of anything for a reef tank, I have never use anything in the past, someone may chime in with something you can use.

tokarsca · 11-01-2005, 09:32 PM

Well thanks for your help thus far. Hope everything works out

VWD · 11-01-2005, 09:50 PM

I hope so also. I hate to lose a fish or anything in a tank. and You have had him for some time.

Loverotties · 11-02-2005, 12:33 AM

There's a stuff called Kick ich!

reef_noob · 11-02-2005, 12:45 AM

If you truly want to be rid of ich, you have to remove all fish from the tank for a full month.

This article explains it really well http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ichart2mar.htm

Derfdiggler · 11-02-2005, 07:28 AM

There are reef safe meds, try permafix. may work, and it is supposed to be reef safe, no copper. Also do fw dips. get a qt tank, uv, and garilc.

skeety · 11-02-2005, 07:51 AM

just casting my vote for doing nothing. I mean NOTHING.

any stress will weaken the Tang, and give the Ick a better hold on the fish.

just feed w/garlic to strengthen it's immune system...and keep your hands out of the tank.

If the butterfly is bothering the tang...might be wise to get the BUTTERFLY out of the tank...but I'd do this as a last resort. Given time...the two SHOULD work out their issues.

But until then...do everything you can to reduce stress for the fish. Keep out of the tank, try to keep tank parms near perfect...etc.

Ick (IMO) is like a cold. Most fish will get it from time to time...just keep them strong, and they should kick it.

My tank has had ick at least 4 or 5 times. I've only lost 1 fish...and to this day, I believe he was attacked and didn't die as a result of the ick.

just my opinion.