Is this ich on my clown?

[cbs49er]

I’m a new reefer and I just noticed some real small white spots on my clown only. I’m getting some zoas, blasto, and a stylo in a few days so if it’s ich I’m worried about using treatment and my corals. I don’t have a quarantine tank.

 

[DaddyFish]

How old is your tank? How long has the clown been in that tank?
It looks like Brooklynella to me, but if the clown was recently introduced there's several things that could cause that appearance. Any change in feeding habits or behavior?

 

[cbs49er]

It cycled for a few months before I put a Bangui cardinal, then the clown a few weeks after, then a yellow watchman goby, and just a few days ago a tailspot blenny. I have an isolated rock of gsp. I tried to wait about 2 weeks between fish. Everything has been purchased at my LFS. None of my other fish seem to have the spots. He seems normal and quick to eat.

 

[DaddyFish]

Your situation is a tough call for me. If it is Brook, the clown will likely succumb quickly and probably die without treatment. Brook is also highly contagious to the other fish. The effective treatment(s) for Brook are not safe for your corals, so not having any QT available creates a bad situation.

Isolation is my #1 recommendation. Even if that means a bucket and airstone.

 

[DaddyFish]

Here's a link to Humble Fish's writeup on Brooklynella. Start there and compare the pictures to your fish.

 

[cbs49er]

Ok thx, I have a spare waterheater and I’ll get something to try to quarantine which I probably should have since I plan on doing this for a long time.

 

[cbs49er]

So I purchased a qt setup at my LFS, I added a dose of stability to the qt tank. He recommend running my water at 1.020 and water changes every few days. I have cupramine and furan-2, and I bought some garlic guard to add to my mysis/spiralina food. He said just follow directions in the medicine. Since I’m worried about ammonia I’ll probably get an ammonia alert pack tomorrow. My tank isn’t up to temp yet and I’ll be gone until the morning so that’s when I’ll put him in, probably pick up some pvc on the way home

 

[Reef and Dive]

So I purchased a qt setup at my LFS, I added a dose of stability to the qt tank. He recommend running my water at 1.020 and water changes every few days. I have cupramine and furan-2, and I bought some garlic guard to add to my mysis/spiralina food. He said just follow directions in the medicine. Since I’m worried about ammonia I’ll probably get an ammonia alert pack tomorrow.

Not worth it. Not really effective for Brook.
Go for Formalin 60min baths each 2 days and you’ll give him better chances. If you can’t get Formalin ASAP fresh water baths (3min) could alleviate symptoms for a while.

If you keep him on copper that’s not deleterious but most probably won’t solve the problem.

Do not wait too long for adequate treatment, he could get worse fast.

 

[cbs49er]

Thx, I’m looking for formalin 37% but can’t seem to find it fast. I’ll try what you recommended.

 

[DaddyFish]

Don't set your QT at 1.020 if you're running the DT significantly higher. Minimizing stress on the fish during the move is paramount which means match the Big-Three (Salinity, Temperature, pH). Then you can gradually lower to 1.020 which is ultimately easier on the fish.

Here's a link to HomeScienceTools where I was able to purchase Formalin for rapid shipment. You may have better luck at a cheaper price somewhere else, but I can vouch for their service and products.

One more very important thing, aeration, extra aeration is critical for Formalin baths (and many other meds/treatments). Without it you will kill the fish.

 

[cbs49er]

Ok thx, I didn’t see any spots on him today and he eats and swims bench but I know that doesn’t mean anything, it could’ve just fallen off.