Ich on Butterfly? Higher SG for FOWLR tanks ?

[mling]

I have a Raccoon Butterfly in my FOWLR tank. Have had him for about a month now. In the last 2 weeks or so, we have noticed it constantly scratching against the life rock. I don’t see any signs of Ich, but I wonder if that is because I associate Ich with white blotches on the fish, which there are none in this case. Is it possible for a Butterfly to have Ich and yet look “normal”.

He eats very well, when I take a LR with Majano from my reef tank and put it in, he attacks the Majano from the LR before I can even place the LR down on the substrate. However, I noticed that he often just hangs out in caves; this is not normal for it as he is usually swimming around all the time. My water parameters are all normal, only na can be better, it is 2 to 5.

My SG is 0.026. Is it true that a FOWLR tank should have a higher SG than a Reef tank ? Any suggestions ? Thanks in advance.

 

[Anonymous]

No.
I keep my fish only tanks at 1.019.

 

[ChrisRD]

Agreed. FO tanks are generally run at similar or lower salinities than reef tanks, but definitely not higher.

The scratching behavior is not a good sign and can be an indication of ich (which may not be visible on the body yet but could be effecting the gills), gill flukes, etc.

 

[mling]

I will assume that it is Ick or some kind of parasite. Is a fresh water dip the best route to go or get some chemical at LFS ? Any chemical to recommend ?

 

[ChrisRD]

If the fish is eating, doesn't seem stressed and isn't having any trouble breathing, I'd hold off for now and just watch him closely. I'd be hesitant to start any treatment until you know what you're dealing with.

JMO

 

[Anonymous]

A few cleaner shrimp would be a good idea, if you don't have fish that will eat them.