Ich??

[jwagne267]

So I am relatively new to saltwater fish and now I have a problem. I have a 15 gallon tank with 2 pieces if live rock in it. I have 1 coral banded shrimp, 1 emerald shrimp, 1 camel shrimp, and 2 snails. I also have 2 clown fish and 1 neon cleaner goby. A while ago with everything but the snails everything was fine. Perfectly fine for about a month or 2. Then I started having an algae problem, so I bought the snails.....when I added them a day later my fish starting acting kinda funny. One had his mouth slightly open and the other kept itching himself I guess on some rock. So I looked closer and noticed some small white spots.....Ich. So the symptoms so far are the open mouth, alot of itching on rocks, and a decrease in appetite. They seem like very healthy fish but I am guessing if they don't have an increase in appetite soon they won't make it another week or so. I'm guessing it came in with the snails and now they both have it. They are the only two fish in the tank and don't exactly feel the need to put them in a QT because they are the only ones I have. So I think I am going to buy a cleaner shrimp and see what happens.
P.S. I also have a problem with algae growing on my sand.... someone told me to buy a few hermit crabs and a lawnmower blenny. Will that really work?

 

[beth]

Hermit crabs are a bad choice. They will kill your snails and do nothing for algae. Really, the only way to effectively treat your fish right now is to either QT them, or QT your live rock and inverts.

 

[jwagne267]

After looking at the post of fish diseases with pictures I am not doubting whether or not my fish have ich. I will post a picture tomorrow becvause I don't have my camera with me.

 

[florida joe]

Originally Posted by Beth
http:///forum/post/2589213
Hermit crabs are a bad choice. They will kill your snails and do nothing for algae. Really, the only way to effectively treat your fish right now is to either QT them, or QT your live rock and inverts.
Not sure what hermit crabs Beth is talking about but Scarlet Reef Hermit Crabs, Dwarf Red Tip Hermit Crab, Dwarf Yellow Tip Hermit Crab, or Dwarf Zebra Hermit (Hawaii). All have a diet of Diatoms, Film Algae, and Hair Algae

 

[jwagne267]

Here are the pictures

 

[sepulatian]

Do they look like they are "shedding"? Do you notice the slime coat thicker and that it is peeling in some areas?

 

[sdoubt64]

always try and look at your fish with a magnifying glass.. you will get a better look at them and see what it really is

 

[jwagne267]

So I bought a cleaner shrimp and the ich(or whatever it is) was eaten most likely. Everything is back to normal and the best thing is that my fish are happy and healthy. I am going to attribute it to the cleaner shrimp and also don't know if this helped but I poured fresh water on the when I was putting water in for evaporation...tricked them with food at the top and got them with the water.