Royal Gramma ich?

[thisnthat]

Salinity 1.026
Ph 7.9-8.0
Temp 78.1
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 1-2
Tank size 29 Gal
Tank mates: 2 clownfish, Cardinal fish, 3 hermits, fire fish
Tank age: 3 months

Usually my gramma is peaceful but today he was thrashing around in the sand bed. I added copepods this morning into my refugium and looked up if copepods made him act this way and got no results. I also went to add a new fish (fire fish) today and this is when the behavior started. He has white spots on his fins and I’ve managed to separate him temporarily and I don’t know what to do next. I don’t know if this is ich or velvet but it indicates ich

 

[thisnthat]

Salinity 1.026
Ph 7.9-8.0
Temp 78.1
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 1-2
Tank size 29 Gal
Tank mates: 2 clownfish, Cardinal fish, 3 hermits, fire fish
Tank age: 3 months

Usually my gramma is peaceful but today he was thrashing around in the sand bed. I added copepods this morning into my refugium and looked up if copepods made him act this way and got no results. I also went to add a new fish (fire fish) today and this is when the behavior started. He has white spots on his fins and I’ve managed to separate him temporarily and I don’t know what to do next. I don’t know if this is ich or velvet but it indicates ich

Currently he’s lying on his side from stress but I have him confined. This is time sensitive and I don’t know what to do. Here are the spots on his fins and he did seem to eat fine when fed today. The temperature never seemed to change either

 

[nereefpat]

That does look like ich, and that behavior is concerning.

I would treat with full strength copper in a hospital tank immediately.

 

[thisnthat]

w

That does look like ich, and that behavior is concerning.

I would treat with full strength copper in a hospital tank immediately.

So I don’t have copper but I do have “nox ich” which cures ich. Should I do a freshwater dip that was recommended for ich in the mean time before I get copper?

 

[Nickolas]

I have read that if you do a freshwater dip to make sure it is the same ph if possible. I hadn't known that but my fish were okay after the dip, make sure to keep water aerated. It doesnt remove ich but just kinda helps alleviate it.
May i ask where you got the copepods from? Ive read that the big brand bottled ones dont have fish where they keep copepods if thats your source?

 

[thisnthat]

I have read that if you do a freshwater dip to make sure it is the same ph if possible. I hadn't known that but my fish were okay after the dip, make sure to keep water aerated. It doesnt remove ich but just kinda helps alleviate it.
May i ask where you got the copepods from? Ive read that the big brand bottled ones dont have fish where they keep copepods if thats your source?

I got them from algae barn, heard good things about them and wanted to add them to the tank. I’m currently finishing setting up my qt ( was planning on doing so but this is on such short notice)

 

[nereefpat]

w


So I don’t have copper but I do have “nox ich” which cures ich. Should I do a freshwater dip that was recommended for ich in the mean time before I get copper?

I had to look up nox ich, since I hadn't heard of it. Looks like it's malachite green. I wouldn't be sure that nox ich kills marine ich. It's more common for fw ich, which is different. The salt in it also would be helpful to fight freshwater ich. Copper is much more standard. Copper Safe or Copper Power are popular and safe.

Freshwater dips don't do much for ich, since the parasites are under the skin. They can give relief in cases of velvet, which might be the case here.

I would get that QT set up and get all fishes in Copper. My opinion anyway.

 

[reefz]

Here's a forum that shows the difference between ich and velvet. Your case looks like ich. Do your research on qt tanks and figure out everything you'll need. A source of copper medication, copperpower is what ive used in the past. You'll need a hanna copper checker to check your levels. I hope your little guy makes it... https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-difference-between-ich-velvet.315957/