Marine Ick

TheReefer12 · 02-04-2007, 08:04 AM

What is the best way to cure marine ick? I know copper works, but I do not have a QT tank available.

JY13131 · 02-04-2007, 08:08 AM

Do you have corals or LR?

TheReefer12 · 02-04-2007, 08:16 AM

I have a leather and LR and a Cleaner Shrimp.

JY13131 · 02-04-2007, 08:19 AM

You cannot really treat with anything. Make sure your water is in GREAT condition and try and make your tank as stress free as possible. Hope the fish's immune system is strong and will kick it, but chances are slim. Can you set up a QT tank? There will be ich in your tank for 6 weeks or so, so do not add any more fish. Who has it?

TheReefer12 · 02-04-2007, 08:24 AM

My black perc has it. I will try a water change each day.

JY13131 · 02-04-2007, 08:26 AM

I am sorry. I have that EVIL ICK! Do you have any other fish in there?

TheReefer12 · 02-04-2007, 08:42 AM

Another black percula. The other fish is doing fine. I added some stress coat to make sure that one does not get it. I also put the perc in the bag I got from the store and added some Quick Cure. It says should cure within 2 days so I will try that for a couple days and release him back without that water.

TheReefer12 · 02-04-2007, 08:46 AM

I am sure this is hard to believe but the white spots are gone in a matter of minute from putting the fish in the bag. That is definitly some quick cure.

JY13131 · 02-04-2007, 08:56 AM

You are keeping him in a bag for two days!!!?

TheReefer12 · 02-04-2007, 10:18 AM

Well I figured 24 hrs. This is approx. for what time they are kept in a bag when being shipped.

marineduud · 02-04-2007, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheReefer12

Well I figured 24 hrs. This is approx. for what time they are kept in a bag when being shipped.

Normal shipping time for livestock is around 12 to 18 hrs. And most of the live stock is packed with pressurized O2. So I would be careful of doing this
approach.

Spanky · 02-04-2007, 10:41 AM

They have water conditioners, ammonia neutralizers, and oxygen when they are shipped.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheReefer12

I am sure this is hard to believe but the white spots are gone in a matter of minute from putting the fish in the bag. That is definitly some quick cure.

Formalin will not kill ick. It will cause it to fall off. Move the fish to another bag with new water and no parasites in the bottom. When the formalin degrades, the parasites will just move back into the water column and get back on the fish.

Bryan, next time use straight formalin. Not quick cure, which is formalin/malachite green. They made that formula for fresh water. In order to get the right dosage of formalin for saltwater, you have to double the dose on the lable. When you do that, you get twice as much malachite green which can be toxic to a lot of saltwater fish. Malachite green is a respiratory toxin.

betamed · 02-04-2007, 10:43 AM

BTW. a 10 gallon tank is only $9. Ick is caused largely by stress. IMO if the treatment causes more stress then the long term recovery is slim. You probably have ich in your tank, but you can't see it. So keep an eye on your other clown. There are two things in tank that help and do not cause stress they are cleaner gobies/shrimp and UV. Neither is a cure,but they will help a lot.
IMO Basically you have two options...
1. Treat him like you are doing and then return him to the tank. Keep the water very clean and keep you hands out of the tank. feed him well. Garlic in his food may help.
2. take all the fish out of the display and set up a QT. treat all fish in QT for 6-8 weeks and return them to the tank.

Clowns can usually fight of the ICK if they are happy, but be aware that your tank may always be capable of an ick outbreak if stress gets high.

TheReefer12 · 02-04-2007, 10:50 AM

I am going to try the first option. I am not going to be adding a lot to this tank. I am only adding one more thing which is a BTA and that is mainly for the fish. I already have a cleaner shrimp so hopefully that will help.

fish.freak · 02-04-2007, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheReefer12

I am going to try the first option. I am not going to be adding a lot to this tank. I am only adding one more thing which is a BTA and that is mainly for the fish. I already have a cleaner shrimp so hopefully that will help.

Forget the bag idea that is too small of a water vol. for prolonged treatment.
If 10 bucks for a ten gal is to much to pay, get a clean bucket and a air stone and a heater and you have your self a make shift QT. We used to do 8 hr "baths" in formyln to get rid of Clownfish disease. Are you positive you have ich. Try to post a pic so we can help id so you can get the right meds.