Ich in tank

maheenio

New Member
View Badges
Joined
Jul 8, 2026
Messages
14
Reaction score
7
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Hello everyone, just wanted to confirm if this is Ich, or something else.

Started the tank (55g) about a month ago. Currently stocked with
Lemon peel angel
Clownfish pair
Blue damsel
Six lined wrasse
Yellow prawn goby

Currently feeding a mixed diet with nori, pellets, mysis shrimp.

Tank parameters are clear. Ammonia at 0, nitrite at 0 and nitrate levels around 20.

I do not have any inverts, or corals. I wanted to ask if hyposalinity would be the best approach as I do not currently have a QT tank. Super nervous about it.

Are any of these fish highly sensitive to ICH or hyposalinity?

Should I manage the ICH instead of fully eradicating it?

All fish are highly active, eating well & not hiding.



20260713_181028_8094B5D4-4B8C-4783-A6A1-9C09A9E8C104.png


20260713_181028_5243B376-91F1-49F0-BB51-096E084745C5.png
 

Attachments

  • 20260713_180820_E271F17E-438B-4515-BADF-999FEE404E58.mov
    2.9 MB
  • 20260713_180826_02DBFE19-2E69-497B-B1B7-25AB7220230A.png
    20260713_180826_02DBFE19-2E69-497B-B1B7-25AB7220230A.png
    495.5 KB · Views: 12
  • 20260713_180826_4D785D72-DE44-4EBF-A00A-BA8E6352C335.png
    20260713_180826_4D785D72-DE44-4EBF-A00A-BA8E6352C335.png
    506.7 KB · Views: 12
Last edited:
OP
OP
M

maheenio

New Member
View Badges
Joined
Jul 8, 2026
Messages
14
Reaction score
7
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Hello everyone, just wanted to confirm if this is Ich, or something else.

Started the tank (55g) about a month ago. Currently stocked with
Lemon peel angel
Clownfish pair
Blue damsel
Six lined wrasse
Yellow prawn goby

Currently feeding a mixed diet with nori, pellets, mysis shrimp.

Tank parameters are clear. Ammonia at 0, nitrite at 0 and nitrate levels around 20.

I do not have any inverts, or corals. I wanted to ask if hyposalinity would be the best approach as I do not currently have a QT tank. Super nervous about it.

Are any of these fish highly sensitive to ICH or hyposalinity?

Should I manage the ICH instead of fully eradicating it?

All fish are highly active, eating well & not hiding.
20260713_180932_4AC2FF57-8031-47B5-9B29-33FE679547AE.png


20260713_180932_7134B9E0-9A92-480C-A5B4-ED792E609492.png


 
OP
OP
M

maheenio

New Member
View Badges
Joined
Jul 8, 2026
Messages
14
Reaction score
7
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Looks to be ich.
Do you think the best approach would be running hyposalinity? Still researching how to run it, or would it be better to manage it for now and eventually set up a QT tank?

I’m just afraid that the fish would get more stressed out and likely pass from treatment like hypo than me letting them fight it on their own.
 

vetteguy53081

Well known Member and monster tank lover
View Badges
Joined
Aug 11, 2013
Messages
108,529
Reaction score
244,006
Location
Wisconsin -
Rating - 100%
17   0   0
20260713_180932_4AC2FF57-8031-47B5-9B29-33FE679547AE.png


20260713_180932_7134B9E0-9A92-480C-A5B4-ED792E609492.png


While it may be ich, will need still pics to confirm as videos are short and a lot of movement with fish. Fins suggest such but need to see rest of fish clarly
 

KrisReef

Last to get paid.
View Badges
Joined
May 15, 2018
Messages
22,531
Reaction score
39,702
Location
Vatican & Las Vegas Penthouse Quarters
Rating - 100%
1   0   0
Do you think the best approach would be running hyposalinity? Still researching how to run it, or would it be better to manage it for now and eventually set up a QT tank?

I’m just afraid that the fish would get more stressed out and likely pass from treatment like hypo than me letting them fight it on their own.
I routinely don't give specific course of treatment advice for active fish issues on this forum. Sorry. That is not my forte.
 
OP
OP
M

maheenio

New Member
View Badges
Joined
Jul 8, 2026
Messages
14
Reaction score
7
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
20260713_180932_4AC2FF57-8031-47B5-9B29-33FE679547AE.png


20260713_180932_7134B9E0-9A92-480C-A5B4-ED792E609492.png


While it may be ich, will need still pics to confirm as videos are short and a lot of movement with fish. Fins suggest such but need to see rest of fish clarly
Here’s another set of videos. It’s a bit difficult to catch her staying still. Thank you for helping.

 

vetteguy53081

Well known Member and monster tank lover
View Badges
Joined
Aug 11, 2013
Messages
108,529
Reaction score
244,006
Location
Wisconsin -
Rating - 100%
17   0   0
Here’s another set of videos. It’s a bit difficult to catch her staying still. Thank you for helping.

Can you provide a couple of Still pictures. Fish is moving a lot and the shimmer from light not helping
 
OP
OP
M

maheenio

New Member
View Badges
Joined
Jul 8, 2026
Messages
14
Reaction score
7
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Here’s another set of videos. It’s a bit difficult to catch her staying still. Thank you for helping.

Can you provide a couple of Still pictures. Fish is moving a lot and the shimmer from light not helping
Sorry about that! Here’s another video, more still in this one but will take some pics if this doesn’t help.

From what I can see, there’s definitely spots that weren’t there when I got her. It’s hard to see in the video and I can only see it when she’s directly under the light. She’s the only one displaying the specks. My damsel a while ago was also displaying those same specks but I thought that it was sand as there was only a couple of dots. They disappeared the same day. I think it is ich. Just not sure what to do about it. Thank you


 

vetteguy53081

Well known Member and monster tank lover
View Badges
Joined
Aug 11, 2013
Messages
108,529
Reaction score
244,006
Location
Wisconsin -
Rating - 100%
17   0   0
Sorry about that! Here’s another video, more still in this one but will take some pics if this doesn’t help.

From what I can see, there’s definitely spots that weren’t there when I got her. It’s hard to see in the video and I can only see it when she’s directly under the light. She’s the only one displaying the specks. My damsel a while ago was also displaying those same specks but I thought that it was sand as there was only a couple of dots. They disappeared the same day. I think it is ich. Just not sure what to do about it. Thank you


I can see labored breathing but once again, No videos.... Need StiLL pics/ PHOTOS, NOT VIDEO
 

Jay Hemdal

10K Club member
View Badges
Joined
Jul 31, 2020
Messages
38,094
Reaction score
38,188
Location
Dundee, MI
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Do you think the best approach would be running hyposalinity? Still researching how to run it, or would it be better to manage it for now and eventually set up a QT tank?

I’m just afraid that the fish would get more stressed out and likely pass from treatment like hypo than me letting them fight it on their own.

Looks like a light to moderate case of ich on the angel. I doubt you would be able to manage it at that level. Hyposalinity is a good option if you have NO invertebrates or corals.

 
OP
OP
M

maheenio

New Member
View Badges
Joined
Jul 8, 2026
Messages
14
Reaction score
7
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Sorry about that! Here’s another video, more still in this one but will take some pics if this doesn’t help.

From what I can see, there’s definitely spots that weren’t there when I got her. It’s hard to see in the video and I can only see it when she’s directly under the light. She’s the only one displaying the specks. My damsel a while ago was also displaying those same specks but I thought that it was sand as there was only a couple of dots. They disappeared the same day. I think it is ich. Just not sure what to do about it. Thank you


I can see labored breathing but once again, No videos.... Need StiLL pics/ PHOTOS, NOT VIDEO
Difficult to take pics of the angel as she keeps going to her cave to hide or won’t stop moving.

Can see it on my clown as well, managed to get some pics the best I could.

20260713_195845_77AFB73E-AE36-46EF-8728-0F2CC674F77B.png


20260713_195845_C7C25914-949B-469F-83AC-CB84C7D14470.png


20260713_195845_836E2B16-5105-4D74-99AE-BA3EB7D37D69.png


20260713_195845_C9D88A60-604B-47D9-8C89-416207303F2B.png


20260713_195845_67A2A2AF-4C24-4C6C-B73C-3F7EEB12B083.png


20260713_195845_B087E06F-FBB1-4386-A462-62A0CA8AA117.png
 

vetteguy53081

Well known Member and monster tank lover
View Badges
Joined
Aug 11, 2013
Messages
108,529
Reaction score
244,006
Location
Wisconsin -
Rating - 100%
17   0   0
Difficult to take pics of the angel as she keeps going to her cave to hide or won’t stop moving.

Can see it on my clown as well, managed to get some pics the best I could.

20260713_195845_77AFB73E-AE36-46EF-8728-0F2CC674F77B.png


20260713_195845_C7C25914-949B-469F-83AC-CB84C7D14470.png


20260713_195845_836E2B16-5105-4D74-99AE-BA3EB7D37D69.png


20260713_195845_C9D88A60-604B-47D9-8C89-416207303F2B.png


20260713_195845_67A2A2AF-4C24-4C6C-B73C-3F7EEB12B083.png


20260713_195845_B087E06F-FBB1-4386-A462-62A0CA8AA117.png
Thank you. Presence of early stage ich is apparent.
You will need to place fish in Quarantine tank and treat with Coppersafe or Copper Power at therapeutic level 2.25 for a FULL 30 days (do not interrupt this 30 day period) monitored with a Hanna Brand copper test kit- No API brand. Also monitor Ammonia levels while in quarantine with a reliable test kit and add aeration during treatment using an air stone. All other fish in with it should also be removed as they have also been exposed to the parasites and placed in quarantine tank.
The display tank will have to be kept fishless (FALLOW) for 6-8 weeks to assure the existing parasites go through their life cycle without a host fish and die off. Inverts and coral can remain in the display (not treatment) tank during fallow period.
 
OP
OP
M

maheenio

New Member
View Badges
Joined
Jul 8, 2026
Messages
14
Reaction score
7
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Do you think the best approach would be running hyposalinity? Still researching how to run it, or would it be better to manage it for now and eventually set up a QT tank?

I’m just afraid that the fish would get more stressed out and likely pass from treatment like hypo than me letting them fight it on their own.

Looks like a light to moderate case of ich on the angel. I doubt you would be able to manage it at that level. Hyposalinity is a good option if you have NO invertebrates or corals.

Thank you! I think I will just do the hypo. I have a BRS refractometer, not sure if that is accurate enough? I’ve also ordered a pH test kit a few days before but it won’t arrive until the 15th.

Do you think I can began the process now or should I wait and test baseline pH and see how it fluctuates?

Would I need to take the copper out of my canister filter or is that not necessary? Read some sources online that said I should but not sure.

I’m just very nervous as it’s my first saltwater tank and I did know about ICH before, just dealing with it is so much scarier.
 

vetteguy53081

Well known Member and monster tank lover
View Badges
Joined
Aug 11, 2013
Messages
108,529
Reaction score
244,006
Location
Wisconsin -
Rating - 100%
17   0   0
Thank you! I think I will just do the hypo. I have a BRS refractometer, not sure if that is accurate enough? I’ve also ordered a pH test kit a few days before but it won’t arrive until the 15th.

Do you think I can began the process now or should I wait and test baseline pH and see how it fluctuates?

Would I need to take the copper out of my canister filter or is that not necessary? Read some sources online that said I should but not sure.

I’m just very nervous as it’s my first saltwater tank and I did know about ICH before, just dealing with it is so much scarier.
Dont wait for infestation and Hyposalinity is not for all fish especially smaller ones
 

DO YOU THINK TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS ARE MORE HELPFUL OR HURTFUL TO REEFING?

  • More helpful.

    Votes: 59 42.4%
  • More hurtful.

    Votes: 5 3.6%
  • I think it depends mostly on the technology.

    Votes: 53 38.1%
  • I think it dependsmostly on the reefer behind the technology.

    Votes: 41 29.5%
Back
Top
Home
Post thread…
Market
What's new