Starsprinkle Rainbowsmile Posted March 26, 2010 Share Posted March 26, 2010 I have never experienced Marine Ich before, but I think I may have it now. Although I am not 100% sure, perhaps someone can help me confirm. A Royal Gramma that I bought in the Vivid group order today appears with a couple dozen small white spots spread variously around his body. These spots were not there yesterday. So far, none of my other fish have any of these white spots. I read through a couple Ich threads here and elsewhere. What would be my best solution to this problem if it is indeed Ich? I do not have a QT tank. But I suppose I could set one up if need be. I just have no idea how I am going to catch my fish and transfer them over. Seriously, I think it would be impossible without tearing down the entire aquascape. In Fishtales' thread, Kich-Ich was mentioned, which I assume was used in the display tank? Any suggestions are appreciated. Also, the Royal Gramma appears healthy and is eating, he doesn't appear "sick" other than the white spots which appeared overnight. Don't know if that means anything. Thanks, ChristianR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Posted March 26, 2010 Share Posted March 26, 2010 I'd just leave him be. Those are really hardy fish it will most likely recover on its own. It is stressed right now from being new. The ich will go away once it gets established. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starsprinkle Rainbowsmile Posted March 26, 2010 Author Share Posted March 26, 2010 Huge incoming pic... I left it large so that hopefully what I am describing can be better seen. It's rather difficult trying to snap a macro shot of moving fish thankfully my new RG decided to give me a quick little pose! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starsprinkle Rainbowsmile Posted March 26, 2010 Author Share Posted March 26, 2010 I'd just leave him be. Those are really hardy fish it will most likely recover on its own. It is stressed right now from being new. The ich will go away once it gets established. Really? That is good to hear. Will my other fish be in any danger once the parasites complete their cycle? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Posted March 26, 2010 Share Posted March 26, 2010 Good picture. Yeah, he will be fine. It is normal for fish to get a little spotty after being introduced into a tank. Once they are acclimated fully the spots diminish. When the fish gets stress the spots come back. Essentially, the parasites are always there, they just manifest visually during a certain cycle of their life. It has been my experience that the best method for keeping a fish healthy is to make sure that the diet is giving them all that is needed. If they are getting all that they need then their immune systems can keep the ich at bay, just like in the wild. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Posted March 26, 2010 Share Posted March 26, 2010 Really? That is good to hear. Will my other fish be in any danger once the parasites complete their cycle? As long as they are not stressed they will be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starsprinkle Rainbowsmile Posted March 26, 2010 Author Share Posted March 26, 2010 Derek, thanks for the quick replies! That puts my mind better at ease. None of my other fish got spotty after I introduced them, so that knowledge is new to me. But I suppose a trip from California is a bit more stressful, than a simple car drive from Austin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisfowler99 Posted March 26, 2010 Share Posted March 26, 2010 If you don't already, try adding a bit of garlic (I use Garlic X-treme) to their food. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishtales Posted March 26, 2010 Share Posted March 26, 2010 Personally, I think Garlic is best used on Pizza. There really has been no significant data to support the use of garlic as a means of improving a fish's health. Good marketing goes along way if the public is willing to accept it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dav_nolen Posted March 26, 2010 Share Posted March 26, 2010 Personally, I think the garlic does help out (I also use Garlic Xtreme). Has there been any significant data not to support the use of garlic as a means of improving a fish's health? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishtales Posted March 26, 2010 Share Posted March 26, 2010 Good point, however, I think BECAUSE there may be nothing that says otherwise, companies are free to market products and claim anything they want. I'm a Pharmacist and so I understand very well how this works. By all means, if you think it works, use it. I don't believe Garlic is apart of the natural diet in the wild.... Just my two cents! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zarathustra2 Posted March 26, 2010 Share Posted March 26, 2010 I dont think that garlic itself really helps fish get healthy. I have noticed a significant feeding reaction when adding garlic. I'm not sure if its a pavlovian reaction or not but I have seen a feeding reaction from just adding a drop of garlic extreme without any food. I think getting a critter to eat is one of the best things you can do to get them healthy. I had this algae blenny that I wasn't able to get eat at all. Added some garlic to some nori and he completely ignored that but started munching on the algae I left him on the glass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mFrame Posted March 26, 2010 Share Posted March 26, 2010 +1, I don't think the garlic in itself cures Ich, I think it stimulates the fish's appetite. A fish that eats is much more likely to outlast and survive the ich. My guess is that the gramma did not bring ich to your tank, the ich was already there but your current fish are healthy and able to fend it off. The gramma was stressed by travel and therefore susceptible. Keep him eating and you should be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starsprinkle Rainbowsmile Posted March 27, 2010 Author Share Posted March 27, 2010 Just an update, as of today my Royal Gramma is virtually spot free. I think I may see at most 2-3 spots, but it's almost all gone. I don't know if that is just the natural cycle of the parasite, and if it is gone for good, or if they will return. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamp Posted March 27, 2010 Share Posted March 27, 2010 I think cleaner shrimp are awesome and help out as well. Really cool to watch them pick of parasites from your fish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Posted March 27, 2010 Share Posted March 27, 2010 I think cleaner shrimp are awesome and help out as well. Really cool to watch them pick of parasites from your fish. Definitely a good idea to get a few. I have three in my tank to keep the parasite count down to lessen the stress on the fish. I am glad that the spots are almost gone. They may come and go as you make changes in your tank. I have noticed that fish with smaller scales tend to show the spots easier than fish with larger scales. I don't know if it is just a perspective thing or if there is just less places for the parasites to hide. Either way, he should be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+mcallahan Posted March 27, 2010 Share Posted March 27, 2010 Glad your fish is doing well. I feed garlic and I've never had an ich outbreak - or even seen it on my fish - and I don't have a QT tank. I don't know if it is the garlic, but for $10/bottle that has lasted over 1.5 years, its cheap insurance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+mcallahan Posted March 27, 2010 Share Posted March 27, 2010 Good marketing goes along way if the public is willing to accept it. If it's well written. People are always willing to accept things, people do it thousands of times a day and people don't even know it. Had to throw it in! </threadhijack> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Posted March 27, 2010 Share Posted March 27, 2010 If it's well written. People are always willing to accept things, people do it thousands of times a day and people don't even know it. Had to throw it in! </threadhijack> I think the term is "propaganda". Either way, I think that garlic works, at the very least as a feeding attractant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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