Scratching = Ich?
- Thread starter cam78
- Start date
eugenez_21
Member
i have a yellowtailed desmal that does it time to time, had him for 2months now and hes aggresive and eats. im not a pro yet but a desmal is more hardy then a butterfly so im interstead what the answer is....... my desmal is acting perfectly fine though and does that
nicetry
Active Member
Scratching or "glancing" off of rocks or other surfaces is a sign of irritation. Parasites are always a suspect,so you need to be atchful for other symptoms. Look for small white spots that look like salt sprinkles. This is one of the most evident symptoms of ich. If you just acquired the fish, it may be too early to tell, so watch it closely for the next several days. Sometimes, this scratching behavior will cause other problems like abrasions to the skin. This can lead to bacterial infections.
What are your water parameters in this tank? What else do you have in there?
What are your water parameters in this tank? What else do you have in there?
nicetry
Active Member
Originally Posted by CAM78
Salt 1.025
Ates 5
Phos 0
Ph right on forget the #
KH 6
Don't have an ammonia test. Clown, Pajama, diamond Goby. Have lots of coral. What would I ever do if it turns out to be ich? Would I have to remove all the coral?
It would be best to set up a quarantine tank and treat the fish in there, leaving the corals in your main tank.
Salt 1.025
Ates 5
Phos 0
Ph right on forget the #
KH 6
Don't have an ammonia test. Clown, Pajama, diamond Goby. Have lots of coral. What would I ever do if it turns out to be ich? Would I have to remove all the coral?
It would be best to set up a quarantine tank and treat the fish in there, leaving the corals in your main tank.
nicetry
Active Member
I think you'd be disappointed in the so called "reef safe cures". Most don't work with enough consistancy to be called reliable. You might have to remove some of your rock to catch the fish, but the alternative is having the fish die. Not sure how much rock you have, but it's a simple matter of placing it in buckets for a few minutes, removing the fish and then replacing the rock. Tank might look a little bit different but you're then ready to start treating your fish.
molly05
Member
Originally Posted by CAM78
My butterfly is once in a while scratching up against the LR. Is this a sign of Ich? No spots on him. He's new and don't have a QT. He hasn't eaten yet but has been picking off the rocks since I put him in.
Butterfly fish is very sensitive to water and temp. Mine is always flash and scratch after WC. She stops after 2 days of WC.
My butterfly is once in a while scratching up against the LR. Is this a sign of Ich? No spots on him. He's new and don't have a QT. He hasn't eaten yet but has been picking off the rocks since I put him in.
Butterfly fish is very sensitive to water and temp. Mine is always flash and scratch after WC. She stops after 2 days of WC.
cam78
Active Member
Originally Posted by molly05
Butterfly fish is very sensitive to water and temp. Mine is always flash and scratch after WC. She stops after 2 days of WC.
Well thats kinda good news. I picked him up yesterday and did a water change today, so maybe he is just adapting? Am I just being optimistic? I hope he doesn't have it. I have been ich free, I hope this is not the begginning of a lot of problems.
Butterfly fish is very sensitive to water and temp. Mine is always flash and scratch after WC. She stops after 2 days of WC.
Well thats kinda good news. I picked him up yesterday and did a water change today, so maybe he is just adapting? Am I just being optimistic? I hope he doesn't have it. I have been ich free, I hope this is not the begginning of a lot of problems.
eugenez_21
Member
what would i be treating the fish for if it does this or is "irratated" by something. all my waters are good right on exept ph 8.0 and salinity 1.023
just corious all the fish eat well no visial ick on their skin and what would be some treatments
just corious all the fish eat well no visial ick on their skin and what would be some treatments
nicetry
Active Member
Originally Posted by CAM78
Well thats kinda good news. I picked him up yesterday and did a water change today, so maybe he is just adapting? Am I just being optimistic? I hope he doesn't have it. I have been ich free, I hope this is not the begginning of a lot of problems.
This is the risk you run by not quarantining new fish before placing them in your main tank. You can introduce a sick fish w/o knowing it, infect all of your other fish, and then you're hosed. I keep angels and butterflies and have never observed them scratching/rubbing after a water change. This is not normal behavior for these fish. Again, watch for other symptoms, but be proactive and get a quarantine tank set up in the meantime. If you need it, you'll be really glad you have it set up.
Well thats kinda good news. I picked him up yesterday and did a water change today, so maybe he is just adapting? Am I just being optimistic? I hope he doesn't have it. I have been ich free, I hope this is not the begginning of a lot of problems.
This is the risk you run by not quarantining new fish before placing them in your main tank. You can introduce a sick fish w/o knowing it, infect all of your other fish, and then you're hosed. I keep angels and butterflies and have never observed them scratching/rubbing after a water change. This is not normal behavior for these fish. Again, watch for other symptoms, but be proactive and get a quarantine tank set up in the meantime. If you need it, you'll be really glad you have it set up.
cam78
Active Member
Originally Posted by nicetry
This is the risk you run by not quarantining new fish before placing them in your main tank. You can introduce a sick fish w/o knowing it, infect all of your other fish, and then you're hosed. I keep angels and butterflies and have never observed them scratching/rubbing after a water change. This is not normal behavior for these fish. Again, watch for other symptoms, but be proactive and get a quarantine tank set up in the meantime. If you need it, you'll be really glad you have it set up.
Buzz kill. Ha. So I guess in the mean time I am looking for white spots right? Any other symptoms?
This is the risk you run by not quarantining new fish before placing them in your main tank. You can introduce a sick fish w/o knowing it, infect all of your other fish, and then you're hosed. I keep angels and butterflies and have never observed them scratching/rubbing after a water change. This is not normal behavior for these fish. Again, watch for other symptoms, but be proactive and get a quarantine tank set up in the meantime. If you need it, you'll be really glad you have it set up.
Buzz kill. Ha. So I guess in the mean time I am looking for white spots right? Any other symptoms?
eugenez_21
Member
when i got ick my fish lost there appitate a day before the white spots broke out thats what i noticed the fish became less active
nicetry
Active Member
Originally Posted by CAM78
Buzz kill. Ha. So I guess in the mean time I am looking for white spots right? Any other symptoms?
White spots that will appear to come and go
Shuddering or twitching, the scratching behavior already mentioned, hyperactivity, hiding, fading colors, increased mucous production
As the illness becomes more advanced (multiple re-infestations) you can see secondary bacterial infections such as cloudy eyes and fin rot, loss of appetite, increased respirations (fish will often stay near the top of the tank in a high flow area)
Check out the FAQ's at the top of this forum on hyposalinity and quarantine. Ich is common, but can be devastating to an aquarium.
Buzz kill. Ha. So I guess in the mean time I am looking for white spots right? Any other symptoms?
White spots that will appear to come and go
Shuddering or twitching, the scratching behavior already mentioned, hyperactivity, hiding, fading colors, increased mucous production
As the illness becomes more advanced (multiple re-infestations) you can see secondary bacterial infections such as cloudy eyes and fin rot, loss of appetite, increased respirations (fish will often stay near the top of the tank in a high flow area)
Check out the FAQ's at the top of this forum on hyposalinity and quarantine. Ich is common, but can be devastating to an aquarium.