Ick or?

[BoneXriffic]

So, i purchased a new sailfin tang, which had no spots at the lfs that i could see.

Now im noticing alot of them. Fish isnt rubbing rocks or acting wierd. And it took food instantly after being released. Couldnthis be something else?

 

[melypr1985]

Those look pretty small to be ick. How long have you had him and when did you see the first signs of spots?

 

[BoneXriffic]

Those look pretty small to be ick. How long have you had him and when did you see the first signs of spots?

A few hours. I didnt notice the spots at lfs, i imediatley noticed them when floating
... i cant say specifically that they wernt there at lfs. My lighting may make it stand out more

 

[melypr1985]

Sometimes the LFS has copper in their system, but not enough to kill the parasites but keep the symptoms from showing. These spots are really small to be ick so I'm thinking velvet.... especially with the speed that they appeared in these numbers. Unfortunately that means your DT is now contaminated with it and all the fish need to be treated in a QT. I'll link some info to read and hopefully somebody will drop in and say I'm wrong. Even if it's ick (just pretty small ick) the fish need to be taken out and treated and the tank left fallow to starve out the parasites.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/velvet-amyloodinium-ocellatum.217570/
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/ich-cryptocaryon-irritans.191226/

 

[BoneXriffic]

Sometimes the LFS has copper in their system, but not enough to kill the parasites but keep the symptoms from showing. These spots are really small to be ick so I'm thinking velvet.... especially with the speed that they appeared in these numbers. Unfortunately that means your DT is now contaminated with it and all the fish need to be treated in a QT. I'll link some info to read and hopefully somebody will drop in and say I'm wrong. Even if it's ick (just pretty small ick) the fish need to be taken out and treated and the tank left fallow to starve out the parasites.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/velvet-amyloodinium-ocellatum.217570/
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/ich-cryptocaryon-irritans.191226/

Thabks, i hope your wrong lol. But i have a hospital tank fortunatley. Based on pics ive looked up it doesnt seem like velvet. But i know it can hit fish differently, i may monitor over night before stressing it anymore. Ick however does appear much different.

 

[BoneXriffic]

Anyone else like to add to mels thoughts?

 

[Humblefish]

It's a close call, but I'm leaning towards velvet as well. Either way, I would treat all fish with copper (or Chloroquine).

 

[BoneXriffic]

It's a close call, but I'm leaning towards velvet as well. Either way, I would treat all fish with copper (or Chloroquine).

Thank You both. I will proceed with treating

 

[BoneXriffic]

So im not able to get my hands on chloriquine untill the afternoon after work. As of this morning 10hrs later theres no difference in apearance or fish behavior. I questioned lfs. The tanks they are held in are treated with chloriquine phos and fish was in their possession for 2 weeks. As soon as i get home to go get the medication i will begin treatment. At what point will the get worse. Most ive learned of velvet is it strikes quick

 

[Reefahholic]

With you saying he hasn't gotten worse, I'm kinda leaning towards ICH.

 

[BoneXriffic]

Iwill have a 24hr update before he is medicated after work.

 

[Humblefish]

Here is the problem with LFS using CP: Because there is no practical test kit and CP has such a short half-life, you must remove it (with carbon) and completely redose after 1 month's use. Also, I am looking into the possibility that anaerobic bacteria may build up in a long term QT given time and actually consume CP (and other medications). Anaerobes need a carbon food source and my bet is these bacteria will degrade the CP.

This would explain why medication use so often fails in a DT. So, it might be best to break down & sterilize your QT every so often, or at least run chlorine (60 mg/L) through the system to sterilize everything after several months of use.

 

[BoneXriffic]

So fish update, still acting fine. Even competing for food and eating flakes and mysis, as well as picking at the rock and sand. Still to rubbing, flashing, or unusual behavior. Its very personable actually. As for the spots, dots have not increased in size or quantity.

The more i research ick and velvet i cant rule it out by any means but it seems like an unusualy case

 

[Humblefish]

The more i research ick and velvet i cant rule it out by any means but it seems like an unusualy case

It is either ich or velvet; of that much I am certain.

 

[BoneXriffic]

It is either ich or velvet; of that much I am certain.

I dont doubt you oh wise one. Lol if it ends up being ick, how do you feel about the medicated food? Lfs suggested it and offered it to me free, due to sending a sick fish i suppose

 

[Humblefish]

I dont doubt you oh wise one. Lol if it ends up being ick, how do you feel about the medicated food? Lfs suggested it and offered it to me free, due to sending a sick fish i suppose

Might help manage symptoms but unlikely to completely eradicate it.

 

[BoneXriffic]

it is going for a fw dip before treatment.

I can confirm the the white speckles are raised, if this gives anymore confirmation as to which it is

 

[Humblefish]

it is going for a fw dip before treatment.

I can confirm the the white speckles are raised, if this gives anymore confirmation as to which it is

Velvet, as it is a "surface parasite". Ich would appear to be under the skin, under the epithelium (outer skin layer).

 

[BoneXriffic]

Velvet, as it is a "surface parasite". Ich would appear to be under the skin, under the epithelium (outer skin layer).

Thank you for being patient with me and helping. I am hoping this was caught before any dropped of, though its likley to have spread.

 

[BoneXriffic]

@melypr1985 @Humblefish ... can you guys shed light on something for me maybe. The fish is seperated. None of remaining fish show signs of disease. Granted they are 2 clowns, a blue damsel which too my knowlege can actually have delayed or sometimes no affect from velvet other than be a carrier and a bi color blenny which is naturally covered in white spots making it hard to see.

That part may not be wierd...here is where it seems to get wierd. Fish is on day 4 no treatment. The lfs has chloroquine for me friday, i understand the time sensitivivity so ive kept copper on hand in case. And i understand this is a dangerous risk but it seems if it makes it the chloro phos is a much better choice. Ive thouroughly read the post of humblefishes in treatment and am getting quickcure for a bath.

Why however after 4 days is this fish still acting and eating normal as well as the spots remained exactly the same? He is actually an extremley social fish.

Better pic