I have a fish with ich. (He's acting normal, but he's got white spots, so I'm assuming that's what it is.) However, I can't seem to catch him to quarantine/treat him. :x Until I do catch him, is there something I should be doing to the tank to protect the other fish and the corals?
Can't catch "ich-y" fish!
- Thread starter kcinminni
- Start date
Catching fish out of a reef is really no big deal, despite what you may read to the contrary. In 10 minutes I caught an anthias out of tank that the owner had been trying to catch for a year. 
Method 1. Wait until dark. Feed you fish, and wait until the fish you are after is near the surface, have a net ready. When the fish is in good position turn off the tank lights, or have someone else do it for you. Scoop the net where the fish was when you turned the light out. Or, alternatively, use a flash light after the light is out to spot him first, but I've never found this to be necessary.
Method 2. Put the net in the tank, let the fish acclimate to it, and wait for your target fish to just swim into it. It may take a day or two, but it works.
Method 3. Hook and line. Relaible, but least desireable as it can injure the fish.
I've used all of these methods with great success.
Ich will not harm corals, but your fish are in danger if indeed this is ich. You can feed garlic or medicated food as kind of a preventative measure for your other fish.
Jim
Method 1. Wait until dark. Feed you fish, and wait until the fish you are after is near the surface, have a net ready. When the fish is in good position turn off the tank lights, or have someone else do it for you. Scoop the net where the fish was when you turned the light out. Or, alternatively, use a flash light after the light is out to spot him first, but I've never found this to be necessary.
Method 2. Put the net in the tank, let the fish acclimate to it, and wait for your target fish to just swim into it. It may take a day or two, but it works.
Method 3. Hook and line. Relaible, but least desireable as it can injure the fish.
I've used all of these methods with great success.
Ich will not harm corals, but your fish are in danger if indeed this is ich. You can feed garlic or medicated food as kind of a preventative measure for your other fish.
Jim
What fish has the ich and what others are in the tank? THe problem here is that even though the other fish are not showing signs of the parasite, they have been exposed and are at risk as the cycle perpetuates itself. You could try using garlic extract as a food soak. In otherwise healthy fish, it can serve as an immune system booster and help them fight it off on their own. It might even help the sick fish, if the infestation is light enough and the tank is relatively stress free. Ultimately, if the infestation becomes severe, and the fish start to show increased distress in spite of the garlic, you're either going to have to remove them to quarantine to treat, or treat the entire display tank with hyposalinity. This would be a major PIA if you need to remove the LR, inverts, etc.. but it's better than the alternative. I'd strongly advise against using any of the so called "reef safe" medications. Their effectiveness is marginal at best, and most do not do what they claim to. Good luck.
Thanks for the tips. I'm already feeding garlic-soaked food, so hopefully that will help. I only have 5 fish total, but I'd hate for the rest of them to get it. I'll try your suggestions, too, for catching the sick one. Good to know the corals are safe.
This is so frustrating--it's always something. Makes me question even continuing with the hobby.
This is so frustrating--it's always something. Makes me question even continuing with the hobby.
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