The leathal spots.

[the fisherman]

I a Klarki Clown who looks like he is on his way out. He is in a
20 gal reef. My Jawfish disappeared about a month ago. The
Klarki(Bert) is breathing rapidly, his fins look faded. Tiny white dot
seem to have formed around his head, and eyes look clouded. Since it is a reef
I have just been soaking food in Garlic and changing 10% of the
water every other day. He is not getting any better or worse. I tried one dose of
Rid-ich several days ago but stopped because others looked pissed.
So, I do't have a QT set up. Any other thoughts on what I could do.
My assumption is that it is velvet, and I am in serious trouple. Could I do a dip
in meds? Tanks for any suggestions.

 

[beth]

No, it is not velvet, so you can breath easy on that. You really can't do any viable treatment in a reef tank, so don't add anything else in there. Sometimes this happens to fish, and nothing you do anyway helps. Death for fish in that circumstance can be a very long time in coming.

 

[lharm]

Buy a big plastic container from any super store (your new qt)
put the fish in it
for 4 days lower the salinity (it takes four days because you dont want the fish to get stressed).
on the fouth day bring the salinity to 1.009
leave him in for 3 weaks.
if hes ok put him back in the main tank.

 

[the fisherman]

Beth, do you say it is not velvet because the fish is surviving? If not is it similar, Ich? The only change I see tonight is an increase in the # of tiny spots. I forgot to mention I have also increased temp to 80. Should I continue water changes?