Help for my blue tang please

[ulcan]

Hello, my blue tang keeps scratching itself on the rocks and spends half the time getting cleaned by the shrimp. Can you help me identify what's wrong with it?

Thanks a lot

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hello, my blue tang keeps scratching itself on the rocks and spends half the time getting cleaned by the shrimp. Can you help me identify what's wrong with it?

Thanks a lot

This has been a common case with many hepatus tangs as they are susceptible to ich and Mucus plugs. This is the case with this fish and it will have to be treated with coppersafe or Copper Power at therapeutic level 2.25-2.5 For a FULL 30 days (do not interrupt this 30 day period) monitored by a reliable Copper Test kit such as Hanna Brand- No API brand. Also monitor Ammonia levels while in quarantine with a reliable test kit and add aeration during treatment using an air stone.
The display tank will have to be kept fishless (FALLOW) for 6-8 weeks to assure the existing parasites go through their life cycle without a host fish and die off. How do the other fish look?
A quarantine tank can be as simple as a tank from a second hand store or a starter kit from Walmart which most of the needed essentials.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Hello, my blue tang keeps scratching itself on the rocks and spends half the time getting cleaned by the shrimp. Can you help me identify what's wrong with it?

Thanks a lot

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

When a fish scratches and then postures in front of a cleaner wrasse or shrimp, the cause is very often flukes. Normally, you cannot see flukes on the skin like this, but sometimes the fish has a reaction to the flukes and shows as spots. I can't see any spots on the fins (more of a sign of ich) so I'd say that this may be flukes.

More history of the fish may tell the story: has this been a gradual development? Are any other fish showing issues?

Jay