Mccosker wrasse maybe ich next steps?

Red2143 · Feb 20, 2023

I have a mccosker wrasse in a 10 gallon QT tank for a week now at 79 degrees 1.025 salinity. Fish is eating very well. I'm new to QT so no treatments so far.

I see what appears to be white spots on the tail fin but not really sure if it's just the pigmentation. I'll try to get a picture.

Can someone please walk me through next steps? I do have a copper Hannah checker recently bought just in case but not sure exactly what to buy and what to do next.

vetteguy53081 · Feb 20, 2023

Red2143 said:
I have a mccosker wrasse in a 10 gallon QT tank for a week now at 79 degrees 1.025 salinity. Fish is eating very well. I'm new to QT so no treatments so far.

I see what appears to be white spots on the tail fin but not really sure if it's just the pigmentation. I'll try to get a picture.

Can someone please walk me through next steps? I do have a copper Hannah checker recently bought just in case but not sure exactly what to buy and what to do next.

Can be viral requiring no treatment but will need to see pics under white lighting before any assessments can be made

Red2143 · Feb 20, 2023

How is this? Only visible when the light hits just right.

Jay Hemdal · Feb 20, 2023

Red2143 said:
How is this? Only visible when the light hits just right.

That isn’t normal coloration - most likely marine ich. Can you see sly similar spots on the body or other fins? If so, you should get a coppersafe or copper power treatment started right away.
Jay

Red2143 · Feb 20, 2023

Thanks for the replies. I only see the spots on the tail, nothing on the body.

If I can find both coppersafe and copper power is one better than the other?

Whats the protocol for a wrasse?

Jay Hemdal · Feb 20, 2023

Red2143 said:
Thanks for the replies. I only see the spots on the tail, nothing on the body.

If I can find both coppersafe and copper power is one better than the other?

Whats the protocol for a wrasse?

I like coppersafe, but they are really pretty similar. You could shoot for a 2 to 2.25 dose.
Jay

Red2143 · Feb 20, 2023

Jay Hemdal said:
I like coppersafe, but they are really pretty similar. You could shoot for a 2 to 2.25 dose.
Jay

Is there a ramp up required and then once I reach 2 to 2.5 I hold for 2 weeks?

Jay Hemdal · Feb 20, 2023

Red2143 said:
Is there a ramp up required and then once I reach 2 to 2.5 I hold for 2 weeks?

No ramp up is needed, just two partial doses with mixing and testing in between to ensure accurate dosing. Coppersafe is dosed for 30 days.
Jay

Red2143 · Feb 20, 2023

Jay Hemdal said:
No ramp up is needed, just two partial doses with mixing and testing in between to ensure accurate dosing. Coppersafe is dosed for 30 days.
Jay

Thank you for the help. First time trying this.

Red2143 · Feb 21, 2023

Was doing some reading is there any chance this is lymphocystis since I don't see white spots on the body?

Jay Hemdal · Feb 21, 2023

Red2143 said:
Was doing some reading is there any chance this is lymphocystis since I don't see white spots on the body?

It does not look like lmphocystis, but it could be damaged fin rays, thus my question as to if spots are seen elsewhere on the fish. You might want to prepare for the worst, but wait to see if other symptoms develop.
Jay

Red2143 · Feb 23, 2023

Out of curiosity, if the spots disappear after a few days is that a stronger indication of ich?

If I don't see new spots can a fish cure itself of ich?

Jay Hemdal · Feb 23, 2023

Red2143 said:
Out of curiosity, if the spots disappear after a few days is that a stronger indication of ich?

If I don't see new spots can a fish cure itself of ich?

That's complicated.

Fish cannot cure themselves of an acute ich infection, that requires some external input: medication or hyposalinity typically. Milder infections can sometimes be "managed" - with low fish density, a UV sterilizer, good diet and very clean water (as well as siphoning off the sand every night) you can sometimes get a mild case to go into remission.

The life cycle of ich means that the spots (trophonts) drop off the fish to reproduce. In early stages, all of the trophonts are the same age, so they tend to drop off at the same time. That leads people to think the disease is "cured" when actually, they just dropped off to reproduce and then new trophonts develop in a few days, in greater numbers and in different locations.

Jay

Red2143 · Mar 2, 2023

The spots seem to be changing location on the fins, maybe a few more but I don't see anything on the body. If it isn't ich what else could it be?

Either way I stared copper as recommended. If it is ich would the spots go away after a period of time (realizing the full 30 days are still needed)

Jay Hemdal · Mar 2, 2023

Red2143 said:
The spots seem to be changing location on the fins, maybe a few more but I don't see anything on the body. If it isn't ich what else could it be?

Either way I stared copper as recommended. If it is ich would the spots go away after a period of time (realizing the full 30 days are still needed)

Copper typically reduces ich spots in 5 days, total clearing by 10 days or so, depending on how severe the infection is.
Jay