FLAME ANGEL WITH ICH

[LuisCalibre1]

I just got a flame angel fish delivered and it seems to have ICH. What should I do it’s breathing hard on its side. Should I euthanize it?

It’s easier to see the small dots on its tail.

 

[Mak0]

I wouldn’t euthanize it I would see if you can save it first. It’s hard to tell from the pictures but if it is ich, it’s not a severe case. If you have a UV I would run that full blast for a week and see if anything improves. If you don’t have a UV I would get an ich medication and see if it makes it through the night.

 

[LuisCalibre1]

I wouldn’t euthanize it I would see if you can save it first. It’s hard to tell from the pictures but if it is ich, it’s not a severe case. If you have a UV I would run that full blast for a week and see if anything improves. If you don’t have a UV I would get an ich medication and see if it makes it through the night.

It’s captive bred so the online retailer I bought it from said it’s likely flukes. They advised me to give it to a local fish store so I did.

 

[Fish Fan]

It’s captive bred so the online retailer I bought it from said it’s likely flukes. They advised me to give it to a local fish store so I did.

So you don't have the fish anymore?

 

[LuisCalibre1]

So you don't have the fish anymore?

Ye I gave it to a lfs

 

[James CNM]

It’s captive bred so the online retailer I bought it from said it’s likely flukes. They advised me to give it to a local fish store so I did.

Wow, That's customer service and a crap one at that!. I expect you will no longer give them your custom.

 

[Fish Fan]

Ye I gave it to a lfs

Gotcha!

Will the vendor be sending a replacement? When I saw the fish on its side I was a little concerned about possible acclimation stress, in addition to whatever parasite it may have had. If it's helpful, here's a great article on acclimation methods:
https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/acclimation-methods.903/

 

[James CNM]

Gotcha!

Will the vendor be sending a replacement? When I saw the fish on its side I was a little concerned about possible acclimation stress, in addition to whatever parasite it may have had. If it's helpful, here's a great article on acclimation methods:
https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/acclimation-methods.903/

That would be great though I doubt it. Here in the uk only a sealed vendors fish bag qualifies for a refund/replacement re any issues, though seeing spots on a fish through a plastic bag is hit/miss

 

[Fish Fan]

That would be great though I doubt it. Here in the uk only a sealed vendors fish bag qualifies for a refund/replacement re any issues, though seeing spots on a fish through a plastic bag is hit/miss

Yes, that's a tough position for sure, and I see both sides, though I personally would think the vendor would want to replace the fish here. It's not like those spots only started once the bag was opened.

 

[James CNM]

1: Its a real *******..for one i have a flame sumped that i want to move on.
2: Maybe a fresh (RO) dip with an alkaline around 8 for 5mins @25c may have saved the flame

 

[Mak0]

1: Its a real *******..for one i have a flame sumped that i want to move on.
2: Maybe a fresh (RO) dip with an alkaline around 8 for 5mins @25c may have saved the flame

I would recommend prazipro in this situation. I feel like every-time I’ve done a freshwater dip it’s done more harm to the fish than good. I’m also not sure a freshwater dip would kill the eggs as the active ingredient in fluke medication does not kill the eggs.

 

[Fish Fan]

I would recommend prazipro in this situation. I feel like every-time I’ve done a freshwater dip it’s done more harm to the fish than good. I’m also not sure a freshwater dip would kill the eggs as the active ingredient in fluke medication does not kill the eggs.

Freshwater dips are best as a diagnostic tool and to provide immediate, but temporary relief to the fish from any flukes. They won't kill eggs, and even a single egg can restart an entire infection. There is only one fluke in the aquarium hobby that can be seen with the naked eye, and that's Neobenedenia. Others you would need a microscope to view and identify after a dip.

I was leaning more toward Ich here, given the spots on the fins, but clearer pics would be best for a positive ID, at least for my eyes.

 

[Mak0]

Freshwater dips are best as a diagnostic tool and to provide immediate, but temporary relief to the fish from any flukes. They won't kill eggs, and even a single egg can restart an entire infection. There is only one fluke in the aquarium hobby that can be seen with the naked eye, and that's Neobenedenia. Others you would need a microscope to view and identify after a dip.

I was leaning more toward Ich here, given the spots on the fins, but clearer pics would be best for a positive ID, at least for my eyes.

Really? I actually didn’t know that super interesting! Is the visible fluke a skin or gill fluke?

 

[Fish Fan]

Really? I actually didn’t know that super interesting! Is the visible fluke a skin or gill fluke?

Those are skin and eye flukes.

Here's an article from Jay Hemdal that has more info:
https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/neobenedenia-the-eye-fluke.1229/

 

[Mak0]

Those are skin and eye flukes.

Here's an article from Jay Hemdal that has more info:
https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/neobenedenia-the-eye-fluke.1229/

Thank you!

 

[James CNM]

I would recommend prazipro in this situation. I feel like every-time I’ve done a freshwater dip it’s done more harm to the fish than good. I’m also not sure a freshwater dip would kill the eggs as the active ingredient in fluke medication does not kill the eggs.

Yep, any worm tablet for cat/dog, crushed dissolved in ro water...works great in a fowlr or quarantine. But will only treat what it is for and definitly not dosed in a reef aquarium

Those are skin and eye flukes.

Here's an article from Jay Hemdal that has more info:
https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/neobenedenia-the-eye-fluke.1229/

Flukes usually drop off during a fresh water dip

 

[Fish Fan]

Flukes usually drop off during a fresh water dip

But it's not a cure, you'd still have flukes and eggs in the tank, and the fish is easily reinfected. It can also be very stressful on the fish. Here's more on this from Jay Hemdal, a retired curator of large public aquaria, and an expert in fish diseases:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/help-with-watchman-goby.1161106/post-14389138
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/flukes-prazipro-advice.1169257/post-14513737

There's more info in Jay's article that I linked just above too.

I hope that helps!