I did something DUMB

[tjs]

Hi. I don't post much, but have been checking out the board since I got my tank(about 6 months ago). With the help of this board and my local fish club I've been very lucky so far.
Last weekend I saw a couple of percula clown juvies at a LFS. The owner told me they were 9.95 each. My son has been wanting some clowns so I thought why not. The LFS is not the one I usually go to. They looked alright so I bought them. I acclimated them and put them in the display . A few hours later I noticed some white spots on their tails and one had a (not sure how to put this) a problem with it's top, front fin. It seemed too small, though not frayed or chewed. I didn't notice it at the LFS. Their tanks were well lighted but the room was very dark.
I researched diseases and thought it is probably ich. I ordered some Ruby Reef Kick-Ich to treat the tank and it should arrive today. It is supposed to be safe for all corals and inverts. Anyone have experience with it? I've a few corals and I don't want to harm them.
I took some of the water I use for weekly changes and placed it in a container and put about a spoonful of crushed garlic in the water. Now when I feed, I put the frozen food in a small bowl and put just enough of the garlic water on it for it to absorb it and have been feeding the fish with that.
It seems to be helping. The spots are almost gone, but I'm worried that I have problem waiting to happen. Any advise would be appreciated.

 

[mopar9012]

do you have any other fidh in the tank? if you do i would recommmend setting up a QT and treat them in there.

 

[fallnhorse]

You could also do fresh water dips. If you can catch them easily. I never used that before it will say in the instruction. I know "kick ich" is "reef safe".....Piece of advice too when you buy fish acclimate then to your water but never let your lfs water in your tank. Then fish might not have the parasite but the eggs could be in the water and come out kater, I'm sure you knew that but best i advice i heard and use.

 

[eyebedam]

kick ich Sucks! Overpriced & never had any luck with it personaly

 

[nemo's mom]

I think Perculas stress easily when moved and get Ich. I had great success doing hypo....easy, no chemicals, no stress on the fish

 

[puffer32]

I used it once awhile back, had a clown with several ich spots. (yes, i am sure it was ich, been in the hobby over 20 yrs and have seen it more then once) Not sure if it was the rid ich or luck, but they went away, in a day or 2.

 

[symon]

Not to hijack the tread BUT, From what i am hearing kick-ick is reef safe, it does not contain copper, it won't kill my inverts?

 

[tjs]

I think it must have been stress related because the spots are gone. Maybe the garlic soaked food helped. I had read an article about garlic helping fish get rid of internal parasites. I don't know if I want to use the Kick Ich on my tank now that everyone looks fine.
I'll have to tell my son to rename them. When I pointed out the spots he started calling them Bambie's Mom and O' Yeller!
Learned the hard way with, hopefully, no loses. I'm getting a 10 gal for a QT tank this weekend!

 

[firedog]

Kick Ich is reef safe, but it may or may not help. I think it depends on how far along the infection is. It probably won't work if amyloodinium is present also.
Garlic is supposed to help too. Make sure you have removed all sources of stress that you possibly can (i.e. poor water quality).
With freshwater ich, it is sometimes recommended that you increase the water temp, to 80-85 degree range. This speeds up the life cycle of ich. It may help, but some may recommend against it. The higher temp means less oxygen in the water.
You can also try using vitamin supplements too with the food. Selcon is often recommended. Some people hear also recommend Zoe and Vita chem.