Valmingii tang breaking out

Saleem Muwwakkil · May 28, 2020

Hi reefers need help with my valmingii tang.
Tangs been in quarantine for over several weeks while waiting for main tank to cycle, suddenly my valmingii tang start show signs of ich and breaking out on the face area. All other tangs in quarantine are ok.
quarantine tank is a 70 gallon tank and have been treated with copper for 4 weeks and 3 weeks with melafix / pemafix.

Beardo · May 28, 2020

That looks like open sores on the fish not ich.
That is a lot of big fish for a 70 gal tank, how are you maintaing water quality? Might be bacterial infection and/or stress related.

Saleem Muwwakkil · May 28, 2020

I am currently running my main tank protein skimmer ( super reef octopus 6000EXT) on it a small sump with mechanical filter socks and I remove my lifeguard PRo-MAX 120w UV sterilizer and upgrade to a Pentair 150w and a abyzz A400 to handle all the flow.
I honestly believe the Equipments are over killed but I Am trying to fully eradicate ich since my Fowleri tang died from a past outbreak of ich.

Beardo · May 28, 2020

I had issues with ich in the past so I understand completely.
What about biological filtration? Seeing any ammonia buildup in qt? I have found larger fish can foul a small system pretty quickly.
Poor water quality along with stress form large, active, aggressive fish being in close quarters can definitely cause issues.
They are some beautiful fish, do you mind me asking how large your main display tank is?

Saleem Muwwakkil · May 28, 2020

Main display is approximately 360 gallons.
72”X48”X24

Beardo · May 28, 2020

Nice tank.
Is it currently cycling or are you going fallow due to ich? Was asking since you mentioned you had lost your Fowleri to ich.

Someone else may have better advice for you.

I feel it is water quality and stress causing the issue. I would do some large water changes to maintain water quality and try to get them seperated or into a larger tank as soon as I could. Maybe having the Vlamingi alone would give it a chance to heal up.