1. Do you have an old account but can't access it?


    See Accessing your GIRS Account or Contact Us - We are here to help!

Help! Losing fish fast!

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Will E, Jan 2, 2010.

  1. Will E

    Will E

    37
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    I am need of help, I think.
    First, the problem.
    I picked up ich the last time I added fish to my tank. Nothing I can do to change what should have been done. Needless to say, I didn't have a hospital tank set-up and it took me a bit to get one set up. I tied the 135gal main to my new 50gal hospital tank and let them equalize for 24 hours. Then I transferred my fish to the hospital tank and disconnected the two tanks before treating the water. I had already lost one fish in the display tank to the disease and one more was in pretty bad shape when I moved them over. Therefore, I tried a fresh-water dip on the one bad fish and it didn't work, I lost it within 8 hours.
    I treated the tank with coppersafe and maracide first off then added a dose of Rid-Ich+ about 12 hours later. Day two, I did a 10% water change to lower the salinity a bit and gave a second dose of the Rid-Ich+ as directed. Day three, I lost two more fish and another one is in really bad shape, two others are steadily going down hill. I did a 25% water change and gave the three damaged fish a 3 minute 1.009 water dip. Salinity in tank is now 1.016.
    I am ceasing treatment with the Rid-Ich+ at this point. One of the three fish is on its last breath, one is inactive and breathing rapidly, and the third is active but breathing rapidly. I have five other fish that all seem to be doing fine and have shown no signs of distress or spots.
    My tank parameters are all good, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrates, 0 nitrites, 0 phosphates, 8.4 pH, 81 degrees, 1.016 sg, 50 gal hospital with 10 gal sump running at 600gph, 2 seaclone 100 protein skimmers.
    I am pretty sure I am at the point where I need to sit and wait, but I hate just watching the sick ones die without doing more. I am regretting using the Rid-Ich+ at this point, but was hoping for some faster relief than the copper could provide for the ultra sick fish.
    The three sickest fish are all tangs, one blue, one scopas, and one yellow (scopas won't be alive more than another hour or two at the most though).
     
  2. xroads Veteran Reefkeeper Vendor

    La Porte City, IA
    Ratings:
    +1,014 / 6 / -0
    Wow Will sorry to hear that,

    Unfortunately it is something we all go through.

    I would continue with water changes as you can. Also feed them well, preferably food soaked with garlic. Garlic helps their natural defense kick in.

    Otherwise I would just continue monitoring them. I just took all mine though hypo to get rid of it & let my main system go fallow for 6 weeks. I lost a few fish during it as well.

    GL
    Craig
     
  3. Will E

    Will E

    37
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    Thanks Craig, I'll try a bit of garlic. What SG causes the least stress during this period in the hospital tank? Like I said, I am currently at 1.016, but I have read that going lower is better for the fish and hard on the ich too. I want to make the water conditions as easy on their respiratory systems as possible. Also, should I do some antibacterial treatment as a preventative measure for secondary infections, or is that risking more stress on their systems?
    Will
    (not in a very good mood today)
     
  4. agent-o2

    agent-o2 Inactive User

    32
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    The salinity for least stress would have been whatever you were running the display tank at. Now i would just hold it constant until things are looking more healthy, then slowly bring it back up.
    i've never had luck with the formalin based treatments.
     
  5. nick

    nick Well-Known ReefKeeper

    754
    Ratings:
    +5 / 0 / -0
    i prefer coppersafe. And you really want to be carefull of what medications you are using at the same time. I would only use a bacterial and parasite at the same time depending on kinds. Just leave everything alone for now or the stress wont go away and may never get everything all cleared up. Best of luck to you.
     
  6. Will E

    Will E

    37
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0

    I am leaving the tank alone for the time being and the parameters are holding constant. The scopas tang seems to be doing much better today and looks more healthy. My yellow tang seems to be struggling a bit more today than yesterday however. All three tangs I have are covered heavily in white spots more so than before. I do have coppersafe in the tank and will continue to monitor the tank parameters to keep them constant.
    I am taking advantage of the time my display tank is without fish and am adding a couple of things to it. I figure 6-8 weeks should be a good time to get some new corals, anenomies, and inverts for the main display tank.
    Thanks for the advice everyone.
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.