Help for my Blue Tang....

[quarryshark]

Sue, did you FW dip him tonight? If so, how did it go?

 

[b3noodles]

Yes I did dip her and she scared the poop outta me. Just kinda laid there on her side I kept moving her just a little bit to assure that she was not dying. Before we put her in I noticed some black spots on her face kinda like her nose area. Could this be from scratching? She still is eating like a little pig and swimming around like crazy just looks really crappy! Thanks all for your help Sue

 

[quarryshark]

I have the qt. tank here at work, if you want it come on down.

 

[b3noodles]

I'll be ther in just a bit! Thanks SSSOOOO much quarry your the best!! Sue

 

[steve-s]

Moved to the sick fish/coral forum

In the mean time I agree with saberry, go ahead and increase the temp of your tank to about 84. This does not really kill the ick parasite but rather it speeds up the life cycle, causing it to die off faster.

While I do not dispute this, I would actually advise against it. While raising the temp will speed up the reproductive rate of the parasite it will also affect the pH of the fishs' blood which lowers it's immune response making it more cesceptible (sp?) to secondary infection.

Cheers
Steve

 

[quarryshark]

Moved to the sick fish/coral forum

In the mean time I agree with saberry, go ahead and increase the temp of your tank to about 84. This does not really kill the ick parasite but rather it speeds up the life cycle, causing it to die off faster.

While I do not dispute this, I would actually advise against it. While raising the temp will speed up the reproductive rate of the parasite it will also affect the pH of the fishs' blood which lowers it's immune response making it more cesceptible (sp?) to secondary infection.

Cheers
Steve

Would you agree that this is a good move after the fish are removed?

 

[steve-s]

Would you agree that this is a good move after the fish are removed?

Personally I think 84-86° for any marine animal is too warm unless dealing with a region specific species that can tollerate it. In an FO system I wouldn't see the harm but FOWLR or reef and there could be additional concequences.

When you consider the time it takes for treatment: Cupramine 2 wks, ionic copper 3 wks and hyposalinity 4 wks + the watch and wait time after treatment (2 wks) to be sure ther is no re-occurance or secondary infection, why bother? The parasite would not have a host to sustain it in a fallow tank and it would die anyway.

Cheers
Steve

 

[quarryshark]

Point taken...makes sense to me. Thanks

 

[quarryshark]

Point taken...makes sense to me. Thanks

 

[Ducky]

Increasing the water temp can help.But if you have any Clams in the tank you really do not want to increase your water temp as clams will die do to temp.above 85 degrees

 

[quarryshark]

Sue, I'll have the multitest kit at the store tomorrow AM if you want it.

 

[quarryshark]

Sue, how is she doing?
Little bump

 

[b3noodles]

Hey i just found my post again! LOL shes is doing much better. Still looking a little rough though I hope that will pass. Hopefully on Friday I can put her back in the main tank again! Thanks Quarry for your help! Hope your vacation is (was) great! Sue