Help Blue Tang Covered In White

[reefdude2003]

after having the blue tang for 1 month. This morning he was completely covered in white and was swimming frantically near the water surface gasping for air. Should i do a freshwater dip and if so how to do? Should i buy a cleaner wrasse? will this help? URGENT

[hotsoup]

That sound like ICH .Might be due to lousy water conditions or new addition of aggresive fishes into the tank casuing stress

[bwilly]

dun do a 100% dip. it will further stress the fish.

do like 50% mix with tank water. drip a few drops

of copper base solution. monitor for 30mins, put

back in tank. feed it garlic soaked food.

100% dip will stress the tang veri much n even

killed it.

* oh ya, as per normal make sure dipping water is

same temperature as your tank.

[flubberina13]

If possible, quarantine it and dose medications. I used to use the White Crane brand one called Marine Cure and it helps. Think you can get it from Rainbow. Not that ex.

If the fish is eating, give him food soaked in garlic juice.

[NormanH]

I don't think cleaner warsse helps. Sounds like your tang is in a critical condition. IMO, it may not survice. Fresh water dip is effective provided your fish can take further stress. Why not transfer it to a hospital tank with medication. Good luck.

[bwilly]

sis, I dun have much success with it.

eh, suggest u dun use marine cure. its veri "potent"

all my fishes died from using it. it turn the water all bluish.

I tik some src guys used it too.

the copper base solution will be a better choice lohz.

also feeding the fish when in medication is not a good idea.

the fish can go 2-3days without food, if u feed it, the food

will be soaked with the medication too. its not healthy to

the fish.

quarantine without feeding, unless its a long term illness,

then ensure there's no over dosage.

[reefdude2003]

Thanks guys....HOw do i make a quarantine tank? Just air bubbles and saltwater? and don't feed?

[Achilles Tang]

If its little white dots, then its ich.

You can try hyposalinity instead of copper-based medication... tangs don't seem to tolerate it very well.

If its dots and peeling melting flesh, it's marine velvet. It's a goner. Sorry.

[Dazza]

just be careful abt copper based stuff. yr inverts will die if any copper gts into yr main tank

[reefdude2003]

Well, both my blue and yellow tang died swiftly. But the parasite has affected my other fishes, domino damsel, tomato clown, false clownx2, pseudochromis. Any idea how long will the parasites live in my tank before I can introduce another tang fish?

[Clownfish]

Well, both my blue and yellow tang died swiftly. But the parasite has affected my other fishes, domino damsel, tomato clown, false clownx2, pseudochromis. Any idea how long will the parasites live in my tank before I can introduce another tang fish?

IMO,

Do not introduce any more fish....

Do a partial water change now n observe first.....

If this illness is not remedied.... cos i think u still cannot identify wat parasite is it ( touch wood) n all ur fish died.... u shld change a high percentage of ur water then let it rest for 3 weeks ( still changing partial water routinely ) for all parasites to complete their life-cycles n die b4 n also improving ur water quality at the same time b4 introducing new fishes safely....

If let's say ur other fishes manage to pull thru, u shld allow also 3 weeks after u last spot the parasite b4 introducing healthy fishes safely...

[FuEl]

I don't think copper would affect the visible cysts....I think it only affects the free floating stages of the parasite? Not sure.. So even if you cure the white spots on the tang there will still be free floating parasites in your main tank...once you put the tang back it will get sick again...

But IMO Melafix or medication by Waterlife is much safer... Or slimpy invest in a UV-sterilizer if you can't stand your tangs getting white spot all the time. UV-sterilizer attacks the free floating stages of the ich parasite.