I have a flame angel who I thought had ick. Its in my QT. Ive treated it with copper and the "ick" got better but it never went away completly. I then let the fish sit with no treatment. Still has "ick". Then I tried slightly overdosing with the copper. Still has ick. I tried a freshwater dip sill has it. I dont have a camera to post pics but is there a chance that it is not ick. Ive had ick and successfully treated it before. I know what it looks like. This looks like it except that it doesnt go on the fish fins. In fact it is on its forehead. It started over an eye and now its totaly covered its forehead. What should I do now?
thought it was ick
- Thread starter Roly
- Start date
Help Support Reef Aquarium & Tank Building Forum:
Marine Ich (Cryptocaryon irritans) is pretty much unmistakable. However, it isn't normally 'area specific.' It appears anywhere and everywhere on the fish.
Look closely at what it is you are trying to diagnose. Are you sure the 'spots' you see are raised up above the level of the skin, or are they actually more like holes? Are they all exactly the same color? Are they all white?
I argued with a guy for four months until he showed me pictures of the spots. They were holes, not raised bumps. :evil: So I just want to be sure. . .
There are several parasites that have some similarity to Marine Ich in this 'attached phase' called the Trophont stage. Marine Ich as you know goes through a life cycle of phases, so those spots will not remain in exactly the same place but go away and then be replaced by others going through the stage. So, with Marine Ich, the spots should be coming and going (over the weeks), not remaining in the exact same place.
It could also be that the fish had Marine Ich, it was cured, then continued on with a a different affliction.
Anyway, you want to be sure you're not looking at a fish with HLLE or what I prefer to call an MHLLE condition. This article describes MHLLE: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-06/sp/index.htm
Without a photo, that's about all I can suggest, at this time. I need a photo that is clear, relatively good res, up close, showing what it is you see. I need to know of any other symptoms: flashing; breathing hard or fast; how it swims; etc. as well as any other observations, such as what its eating, how often it eats, etc.
You don't mention how long you've had this fish; where it came from; how you were testing the copper; what copper medication you were using; how long you treated with this medication; how long the fish has been untreated; water parameters; etc., etc. all of which would help in the answer to your question of 'what to do now?'
Look closely at what it is you are trying to diagnose. Are you sure the 'spots' you see are raised up above the level of the skin, or are they actually more like holes? Are they all exactly the same color? Are they all white?
I argued with a guy for four months until he showed me pictures of the spots. They were holes, not raised bumps. :evil: So I just want to be sure. . .
There are several parasites that have some similarity to Marine Ich in this 'attached phase' called the Trophont stage. Marine Ich as you know goes through a life cycle of phases, so those spots will not remain in exactly the same place but go away and then be replaced by others going through the stage. So, with Marine Ich, the spots should be coming and going (over the weeks), not remaining in the exact same place.
It could also be that the fish had Marine Ich, it was cured, then continued on with a a different affliction.
Anyway, you want to be sure you're not looking at a fish with HLLE or what I prefer to call an MHLLE condition. This article describes MHLLE: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-06/sp/index.htm
Without a photo, that's about all I can suggest, at this time. I need a photo that is clear, relatively good res, up close, showing what it is you see. I need to know of any other symptoms: flashing; breathing hard or fast; how it swims; etc. as well as any other observations, such as what its eating, how often it eats, etc.
You don't mention how long you've had this fish; where it came from; how you were testing the copper; what copper medication you were using; how long you treated with this medication; how long the fish has been untreated; water parameters; etc., etc. all of which would help in the answer to your question of 'what to do now?'
