My fish had Ich but how do I know its gone?

chicap29 · 01-13-2008, 09:53 PM

Happy New Year to All!!!

We had to move the LR again to get the fish out but everything went well. We treated with Copper in a 55gal QTank. We treated for 3 weeks and lost 3 fish

All looked good so we stopped treatment & they have been in the QTank since Dec 11th.

Here's the Problem, It's been a full month & we were going to put the fish back into the main tank when we looked at our Sargent Major fish and his fins look like he has ich again. So we stopped. All the other fish look good and are all eating well. When I look at the Sargent it looks like it could just be the fins are tore up but they have white splotches on him.

Should we retreat? Or just get rid of that fish?

Any Suggestions?

sasquatch · 01-13-2008, 10:26 PM

Amber, Im putting Woodstocks link here for you, some quite similar problems that may help your decision
~Woody's 120 Escapade~

check the last few pages, good luck. Steve

lcstorc · 01-13-2008, 10:43 PM

I would definitely read up on Woodstock's experience but you definitely do not want to move them back to the reef yet. Even if it is not ich on the fish the display has not had enough time to become ich free. That takes 6-8 weeks or even longer. That is the life cycle of the parasite. If you put the fish back in the display early then there is likely still ich in the tank and the fish will just be re-infected.

leebca · 01-14-2008, 09:40 AM

"Splotches" rather than clearly defined small white spots, are often the signs of a bacterial infection. This conclusion is supported by the fact you say the fins are a bit tore up -- another sign that invites a bacterial infection.

The fish should be hospitalized and treated with an antibiotic. Look to see why the fish got into this condition. Most fish can hold off a small bacterial infection like this IF the water quality is good and they are provided the proper nutrition.

chicap29 · 01-14-2008, 07:38 PM

If it is a bacterial infection, can it spread to the other fish?

I only have 1 QT and unfortunetly it's in use with all the fish. I will definetly check the water quality though.

Thanks for everyone's help!

leebca · 01-15-2008, 08:08 AM

Usually not 'catching.' The fish have to be stressed in order to be suseptible. So it doesn't spread. But if the conditions prevail that caused this fish to get sick, the others can fail in health, too. Look to removing the problem(s).

01-13-2008, 09:53 PM	#1 (permalink)
chicap29 Bryozoan Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 49 View Gallery Karma Komment	My fish had Ich but how do I know its gone? Happy New Year to All!!! We had to move the LR again to get the fish out but everything went well. We treated with Copper in a 55gal QTank. We treated for 3 weeks and lost 3 fish All looked good so we stopped treatment & they have been in the QTank since Dec 11th. Here's the Problem, It's been a full month & we were going to put the fish back into the main tank when we looked at our Sargent Major fish and his fins look like he has ich again. So we stopped. All the other fish look good and are all eating well. When I look at the Sargent it looks like it could just be the fins are tore up but they have white splotches on him. Should we retreat? Or just get rid of that fish? Any Suggestions? __________________ Amber

01-13-2008, 10:26 PM	#2 (permalink)
sasquatch Brunt of all Jokes~ Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: the very farthest west coast of canada Posts: 8,917 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: My fish had Ich but how do I know its gone? Amber, Im putting Woodstocks link here for you, some quite similar problems that may help your decision ~Woody's 120 Escapade~ check the last few pages, good luck. Steve

01-13-2008, 10:43 PM	#3 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 18,412 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: My fish had Ich but how do I know its gone? I would definitely read up on Woodstock's experience but you definitely do not want to move them back to the reef yet. Even if it is not ich on the fish the display has not had enough time to become ich free. That takes 6-8 weeks or even longer. That is the life cycle of the parasite. If you put the fish back in the display early then there is likely still ich in the tank and the fish will just be re-infected. __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.

01-14-2008, 09:40 AM	#4 (permalink)
leebca Tuxedo Urchin Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: So CA Posts: 292 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: My fish had Ich but how do I know its gone? "Splotches" rather than clearly defined small white spots, are often the signs of a bacterial infection. This conclusion is supported by the fact you say the fins are a bit tore up -- another sign that invites a bacterial infection. The fish should be hospitalized and treated with an antibiotic. Look to see why the fish got into this condition. Most fish can hold off a small bacterial infection like this IF the water quality is good and they are provided the proper nutrition. __________________ LEE

01-14-2008, 07:38 PM	#5 (permalink)
chicap29 Bryozoan Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 49 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: My fish had Ich but how do I know its gone? If it is a bacterial infection, can it spread to the other fish? I only have 1 QT and unfortunetly it's in use with all the fish. I will definetly check the water quality though. Thanks for everyone's help! __________________ Amber

01-15-2008, 08:08 AM	#6 (permalink)
leebca Tuxedo Urchin Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: So CA Posts: 292 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: My fish had Ich but how do I know its gone? Usually not 'catching.' The fish have to be stressed in order to be suseptible. So it doesn't spread. But if the conditions prevail that caused this fish to get sick, the others can fail in health, too. Look to removing the problem(s). __________________ LEE

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