Blue Tang ich

srd93pgt · Jul 23, 2017

Blue tang isn't looking better. I have been doing garlic and ginger in the food. Nori is always supplied so he can eat. The only other fish that seems to have this ich is the yellow eyed tang. I haven't pulled him from the tank but I think I should setup a QT tank and slowly drop the salinity to ? Any other recommendations would be appreciated. I know he is uncomfortable because he usually greets me every morning and loves to be the boss of the tank. Not so much any more.

I've never had a QT setup before since I'm a newbie to the hobby. I have a 10 gallon, thought we're to get a HOB filter and couple pieces of PVC and that's it. No sand and no special lighting besides a night time blue led. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated as well. Thanks

4FordFamily · Jul 23, 2017

He's not getting better because ginger, feeding, garlic, good water quality, and every other ich management method does not work with acanthurus tangs but especially powder blue and the like. You'll need to QT in copper ASAP.

Unfortunately, if his behavior is that modified it may be too late but I would definitely try. A 10 gal isn't big enough but it's better than nothing -- get the ammonia alert badge (by seachem) so you can monitor ammonia and have lots of copper on hand and lots of salt on hand for water changes.

aykwm · Jul 23, 2017

Agree with @4FordFamily , ich management is just delaying a disaster from happening. Hyposalinity might not always work with ich, so its recommended to use other effective methods like copper and cp or ttm, you need to treat all fish in DT and run it fallow for 76 days. Try to get bigger tank or possible another tang since 10 gal is small for both tangs and other fish in DT and you will run into aggressive issues.
Best of luck

melypr1985 · Jul 23, 2017

Here are two links that I think will help you out. The first is a very detailed list with pictures and procedures on how to set up and run a QT. The second is a detailed article about velvet. The great thing is that ich and velvet can be treated the same way (with copper or CP). This will tell you how to take extra care with your blue tang before and after going into the QT and will cover you for both parasites. Be sure to get all your fish out and treat them. Leave the display fallow for 76 days to clear it of all parasites.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/how-to-quarantine.189815/
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/velvet-amyloodinium-ocellatum.217570/