Is this normal???

[joej]

Is this normal I just bought a brown powder tang and a bi color angel on 09/12/2003 and the next day I noticed spots on my brown powder tang so I began Herbal Ich attack and I am unhappy to report that my tang still has the white spots as of 09/19/2003. My question is during the AM hours the spots are not noticeable but during the PM hours they can be seen much clearer. Also it seems during the PM hours and after feeding (brine soaked in garlic) that the skin around the spots is pealing off. Is this normal? Thanks Joe P.S. I also lost a starfish during the treatment. The water readings are fine. And I have discontinued the use charcoal and my protein skimmer.

 

[Anonymous]

Tangs tend to lighten up during the nightime hours which may explain why the spots are more noticeable after the lights have been on a few hours.

You definately have problem if you have ich in your tank. All the herbal ick treatments and garlic feedings won't due you much good at this point. I assume you did not quarantine these new arrivals?

Best thing for you to do is remove the fish from the main tank into a quarantine tank. Do a search on "hyposalinity" and "copper". Either one of these treatments are the most effective against an ick infestation.

While the fish are in quarantine, you need to leave the main tank "fishless" for 4 weeks minimum, 6 weeks would be better. Unfortunately, this is the only way you are going to break the life cycle of the parasite. If you don't any fish you add from this point on will also have a good chance of getting infected.

Or you can try to ride the infestation out at the same time soaking the food in garlic. An otherwise healthy fish can fight off an infection of ick, but if it gets the least bit stressed (which tangs do very easily) the infection will come back stronger than ever.


Sorry, not what you wanted to hear, I'm sure.