Royal Gramma and Goby in QT

re76 · Feb 7, 2017

Hey Fish Disease people,

Just picked up a Diamond Goby and Royal Gramma Basslet from a LFS.

They came home and got drip acclimated for about 45 minutes. They were then placed into a 10 gallon QT with sponge filter, heater, and power head. I placed sand on about half of the tank for the Goby.

They are eating well and look pretty good. This morning I noticed what looks like some white spots on the rear portion and tail of the Royal Gramma.

I am going to check again tonight to make sure it wasn't just sand but at this point I am assuming it is Ich.

My plan is to do a round of copper treatment followed by Prazi.

I have Coppersafe and Cupramine on hand, is there any preference for one or the other with these fish?

JaimeAdams · Feb 7, 2017

Totally Cupramine

Humblefish · Feb 7, 2017

My personal preference is Coppersafe.

Current107 · Feb 7, 2017

White spots don't mean ick or parasites. Its very possible flukes, eggs or bite marks. Did you prazi dip before putting into QT?

re76 · Feb 7, 2017

Current107 said:
White spots don't mean ick or parasites. Its very possible flukes, eggs or bite marks. Did you prazi dip before putting into QT?

I'm not familiar with Prazi dipping? Is there benefit to a short term dip in Prazi? Is this similar to a freshwater dip?

I though Prazi needed 24 hours to be effective.

Empress · Feb 7, 2017

A 5 minute fresh water dip will confirm if flukes are present. See melypr1985's fresh water dip video.

Humblefish · Feb 7, 2017

Empress said:
A 5 minute fresh water dip will confirm if flukes are present. See melypr1985's fresh water dip video.

+1 Or a photo of the affected area might help resolve this.

re76 · Feb 7, 2017

I can try to get a picture when I get home tonight.

re76 · Feb 7, 2017

So I am thinking it was just sand or microbubbles. He looks fine tonight. Here is some pictures regardless.

melypr1985 · Feb 7, 2017

re76 said:
So I am thinking it was just sand or microbubbles. He looks fine tonight. Here is some pictures regardless.

Assuming the spots weren't there when he was purchased and then gone again less than 10 hours later, then it could have been sand. I would still treat proactively, but that's just my opinion on the matter.

Prazi needs to have 24 hours contact with the fish for it to be effective. A dip in prazi wouldn't do much good for him, however a freshwater dip would do some good and certainly confirm that flukes are present.

My personal preference is also Coppersafe for what it's worth.

re76 · Feb 8, 2017

Alright took some more pictures this morning. Spots are back. I'm thinking it must be a lighting thing. I took some more pictures and will post them when I get to my computer again.

Brew12 · Feb 8, 2017

re76 said:
Alright took some more pictures this morning. Spots are back. I'm thinking it must be a lighting thing. I took some more pictures and will post them when I get to my computer again.

I would highly recommend doing the fresh water dip. Did you find the video to watch on how to do it (if you have questions, that is)? Flukes are fairly translucent while on a fish so lighting may impact how visible they are. They turn white when exposed to fresh water.

And for future reference, a better way to put sand in a QT is to put some in a food safe plastic container and then put it in the tank. It helps maintain some depth to the sand which fish appreciate without spreading all over the tank.

re76 · Feb 8, 2017

Here are the pictures from this morning:

I have not done a fresh water dip yet. I can do that when I get home today.

Humblefish · Feb 8, 2017

That's about the right size for ich. If the white spots disappear in 3-7 days, you can be sure it's ich. If they remain longer or grow in size, then it might just be Lympho: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/lymphocystis.257461/

re76 · Feb 8, 2017

Humblefish said:
That's about the right size for ich. If the white spots disappear in 3-7 days, you can be sure it's ich. If they remain longer or grow in size, then it might just be Lympho: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/lymphocystis.257461/

So would you recommend waiting to see if it goes away or should I go ahead and start copper?

Brew12 · Feb 8, 2017

re76 said:
So would you recommend waiting to see if it goes away or should I go ahead and start copper?

I've treated every fish I have added to my DT with Coppersafe. Either 30 days, remove the copper, and observe for 2 weeks or in copper for 14 days and then transferred to a clean and sanatized QT. I like the peace of mind knowing that it is incredibly unlikely for me to have to deal with either Ich or Velvet in my DT.

melypr1985 · Feb 8, 2017

re76 said:
So would you recommend waiting to see if it goes away or should I go ahead and start copper?

If it were me, I'd start copper. I've treated every single fish in my DT as well for ich before placing them in there. I also like the feeling of knowing ick and velvet are not problems I will have in there. I used copper on some and TTM on others. Both of your fish there are fine in copper and shouldn't have any problems with it.

Humblefish · Feb 8, 2017

^^ I agree

re76 · Feb 8, 2017

Started copper tonight. I am using the directions on the bottle as a starting dose but will measure every day as I am ramping up.

I plan on splitting the initial dose over 3 days and will adjust from there until I reach therapeutic levels.