Is this ich? Please help!

[angelfishenthusiast]

Hi! I’ve had copper in my tank for a while now (2.5ppm on Hanna tester) and I’m seeing more and more white spots on many different fish. Despite the concentration being high for many weeks, more spots keep forming. It’s a 75 gallon fowlr tank with sand and live rock. Any advice? The pics show what most of the fish have on them. Thank you.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hi! I’ve had copper in my tank for a while now (2.5ppm on Hanna tester) and I’m seeing more and more white spots on many different fish. Despite the concentration being high for many weeks, more spots keep forming. It’s a 75 gallon fowlr tank with sand and live rock. Any advice? The pics show what most of the fish have on them. Thank you.

This is indeed ich. ou 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.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Hi! I’ve had copper in my tank for a while now (2.5ppm on Hanna tester) and I’m seeing more and more white spots on many different fish. Despite the concentration being high for many weeks, more spots keep forming. It’s a 75 gallon fowlr tank with sand and live rock. Any advice? The pics show what most of the fish have on them. Thank you.

Welcome to reef2reef!

This is mucus plugs. These are caused by some stress in the environment. The problem is that ich can also be mixed with it.

What fish are showing spots and which ones are not?

How often do you test the copper and how long has it been above 2 ppm without dropping lower?

Can you see spots on the fins? Mucus plugs are mostly seen on the body, not the fins.