samantha
New Member
I have read through all of the advice on the ick subject and I still have a few questions. I recently added several new fish to my 45 gallon tank. (I don't have an observation tank -- I know, stupid me). In about 3 weeks, my new powder blue tang had the ick showing up on him/her. I have a tank full of live rock, coral banded shrimp, crabs, anemone, chocolate chip starfish and feather dusters. So, I have been using Ick Away with 0.075% Malachite Green in Aqueous Solution (I had read that copper solutions would kill my invertebrates. I'm not sure what Malachite Green is, but it didn't hurt the invertebrates.). I used it daily for about a week and the spots were gone. So I quit using the treatment 2 days ago. Last night when I fed them, the tang, damsel and clown fish were completely covered. I treated them last night and they look even worse today.
My first question is: Would a freshwater dip be the first thing you all would do to help remove the attached parasites?
Second question: What exactly is malachite green? Should I increase the dose since it is so bad today?
Third question: What is the exact name of the garlic food y'all mention feeding the fish to keep ick from attaching to them? And where do I get it?
Final question: The ick didn't appear until the day after I fed them some new fish food I purchased from the pet store. The food is Omega One Veggie Flakes. I noticed it didn't have a seal on it and the man at the petstore said that they refill the bottles. Could ick be transferred through the food in any way?
Thanks to all of you who can help me understand this ick thing better.
My first question is: Would a freshwater dip be the first thing you all would do to help remove the attached parasites?
Second question: What exactly is malachite green? Should I increase the dose since it is so bad today?
Third question: What is the exact name of the garlic food y'all mention feeding the fish to keep ick from attaching to them? And where do I get it?
Final question: The ick didn't appear until the day after I fed them some new fish food I purchased from the pet store. The food is Omega One Veggie Flakes. I noticed it didn't have a seal on it and the man at the petstore said that they refill the bottles. Could ick be transferred through the food in any way?
Thanks to all of you who can help me understand this ick thing better.