First of all, is this ich? or is it something else.
Background: These are my first every saltwater fish and so I am pretty attached and want to do what I can to save them.
I got 2 clownfish from a local breeder, and a cardinalfish and red firefish from my LFS 10 days ago. The clownfish with potential ich is 1/2 to 3/4 inches, probably closer to 1/2. The other clown is a little smaller than 1 inch. Feeding TDO to the clownfish as that is what they grew up on and garlic soaked mysis for the cardinalfish and firefish. I do a small water change every other day to get out the leftover food, probably no more than 10%.
Timeline:
Day 0: All fish went into a cycled 20 gal QT with rock, pvc and a terracotta pot (suggested by CF breeder as he uses them). It has a Tidal HOB with sponge and Matrix. No medications. Tiny clownfish seemed to have a little trouble eating at first. Just didn't quite have the coordination. Cardinalfish and firefish did not eat at first either.
Day 3: Firefish dies for unknown reasons. It was not eating well and I suspect stress. It was hiding under the PVC almost all day. I bought it the same day it came into the LFS. Got firefish out of the tank within 8 hours of dying. Cardinalfish is now eating garlic-soaked mysis after dark. Tiny clownfish seems to be eating better when I crush up the pellets. Bigger clownfish is eating just fine.
Day 9 evening: Noticed tiny clownfish was a little weak swimming (as shown in video in the link above)
Day 10 morning (today): noticed tiny clownfish still a little weak and had a few white dots (as shown in the pictures in the link above). Did not seem as willing to go after food. No signs of white dots on the other clown or cardinal fish. No other behavioral changes in the bigger clown and cardinalfish.
Gameplan if ich:
I have copper power and the Hanna copper checker.
New Day 0 (Today): Dose copper to 0.5. Take out the rock and terracotta.
Day 1: Increase copper to 1.5 if they are handling 0.5 well. Do this over a few doses so as to slowly up the copper.
Day 2: Increase copper to 2.5 if they are still handling it well. Do this over a few doses so as to slowly up the copper.
Day 3 - 17: Keep copper at 2.5. Small water changes for ammonia removal and keep Prime on hand for emergency ammonia. Hopefully the matrix in the HOB will keep up without the rock.
Day 18: Transfer to new/clean 10 gal to observe for 2 weeks. Will have new PVC and a sponge filter. No copper or other meds.
Questions:
How do I keep my DT cycled during this time? I have been ghost feeding it with old fishfood that I have for the last two weeks or so. Would this work long term?
Is there anything I am missing? Since this is my first fish I am very anxious/stressed about them.
Is there anything I can do to help the clown short-term until copper reaches therapeutic levels?
Thank you in advance to any and all help!!!!!