Outbreak of Ick in my Reef

wolffam

Member
I know I don't have much in my tank, but my lemonpeel is showing signs of ick. What can I do to treat it that doesn't harm the other things I have in my tank? Please help, fish is stressing.
 

jonthefb

Active Member
i would try to catch the little bugger and give him a freshwater dip..always seems to work wonders for the fish at our shop!
there are also a couple products out there that claim to be reef safe treatments for ich.. one is called Kick Ich, made by Ruby Reef... I have used this product with some success, but still find that fw dips are more effective, however, when i did use this as a treatment, i did not lose any inverts/corals!
the other product is called exodin and is made by Aqua Medic... i havent used this one yet, but the parents of one of the guys that i work with at the lfs used this on their tank to treat a couple tangs with ich and it cured them, but it also killed several corals, namely a giant bubble coral, and a torch and frogspawn...like i said though i have never used this one...
i would also try adding a garlic supplement to any foods that you feed the lemonpeel, as garlic helps to stimulate the fish's appetite, and also helps to prevent ich in the long run...it might not cure it right now, but if the fish gets better, and you continue to feed him garlic soaked foods, his immune system will be much more prepared to fight off such a parasite!
good luck
jon
 

wolffam

Member
Can you describe the procedures for a freshwater dip? As far as the outbreak, it only appears to be starting. Lemonpeel is hovering over and practically under the sally, as though trying to get some help. It is scratching on the rocks, along with the pysdo. I appreciate the help.
 

jonthefb

Active Member
for a fw dip, use dechlorinated water, that is buffered, this is where a lot of people make mistakes... you need to be sure the pH of the fw is the same as that of your tank or you will only stress the fish more and cause the parasite to get a better hold...also i would reccommend adding a deparasite med to the dip water... at our shop we use dip-a-way with much success... add enough dip a way to give the water a nice yellowish/reddish color, then drop the fish in... make sure to monitor the fish during the dip for any adverse signs...after about 5-20 minutes for an angel, net him and place him back into the tank!
i would also highly reccommend jwt's advice in setting up a q-tank... this would be very helpful if you do actually catch the fish... a simple q tank would be made out of a 5-10 gallon tank, with no substrate, a heater, power head, PVC elbow for the fish to hide in and some small sort of mechanical filter such as a whisper HOB filter... this way you could isolate the fish in need, and then medicate with copper or other invert harming med, without worrying about dosing in the main tank!
good luck
jon
 

sunken ship

Member
I just wanted to say that it isn't good to net Angels. The net will get caught on their fins and possibly their gills.
Also, you might want to see if a cleaner shrimp will help get those parasites off of your fish. It is kind of a hit or miss thing, but it can work wonders.
 
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