What could this be?

[persvensson]

I’ve had this clownfish for about almost 2 months in my newly cycled tank, and some Macro, he is the only livestock in the tank. I woke up this morning and he was all normal, then I did my weekly water change and after a couple minutes I could see small specs on his tail and fins, could this be ich? He is eating good and looks and swims like he’s all good

 

[Jay Hemdal]

I’ve had this clownfish for about almost 2 months in my newly cycled tank, and some Macro, he is the only livestock in the tank. I woke up this morning and he was all normal, then I did my weekly water change and after a couple minutes I could see small specs on his tail and fins, could this be ich? He is eating good and looks and swims like he’s all good

That could be ich. It could also be some sand grains stuck to its skin mucus (since you just did a water change), but I think its more probably ich. You can watch it for a bit - ich will show spots that come and go, and change location every day or so, but generally increase in numbers. If you see that, it's more likely to be ich and not sand. In that case, the best treatment is either coppersafe, or hyposalinity, Neither of those treatments can be done with invertebrates present though. Please let me know if you'd like instructions for those treatments.

 

[persvensson]

I’ve read a lot about those treatments, so I’m pretty sure how to do it thanks! But if my fish won’t make it, do I need to start the tank all over again, and cycle again or could I still use the same system? Thanks a lot for the advice!

 

[Jay Hemdal]

I’ve read a lot about those treatments, so I’m pretty sure how to do it thanks! But if my fish won’t make it, do I need to start the tank all over again, and cycle again or could I still use the same system? Thanks a lot for the advice!

You would have to leave the tank fishless for 60 days.

 

[Joe31415]

You would have to leave the tank fishless for 60 days.

I'd probably use that 'opportunity' to stock up on other inverts (corals, snails etc). As long as it's possible for them to carry ich into your tank, you might as well add them during the fallow period and run out the clock on any ich they may carry into the tank without having to worry about the fish catching it.
IOW, if you're going to have to go fallow, might as well get to enjoy it.

Also you can also use the next 60 days to get a small quarantine tank set up so when the fallow period is over you have healthy fish to add to it. As long as you have the space to do it, they can be done very inexpensively.

 

[persvensson]

You would have to leave the tank fishless for 60 days.

I’m running a fish only tank with one single fish a some small macro, is there any way I can treat him in the main display and at the same time eliminate the ich from the system?

 

[Jay Hemdal]

I’m running a fish only tank with one single fish a some small macro, is there any way I can treat him in the main display and at the same time eliminate the ich from the system?

Hyposalinity would work, but it's going to kill any macro algae.

Hyposalinity

Hyposalinity Jay Hemdal 2024 This term refers to a long-term bath treatment for marine fishes in which the salt content of the water is lowered and held below the point that certain parasites can survive. The salt level reached, and the time of the treatment are the two variables...

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