In-tank ick remedies?

[Brent F]

Temporarily run a UV sterilizer and add some cleaner shrimp.

I had ick in a tank and this non-chemical approach worked for me. Once the ick was gone I removed the UV sterilizer

[Lance]

You could also use a Diatom filter on your tank if you have access to one. They are fairly effective in filtering out parasites when they are in the free-swimming stage.

[karazy]

well ive heard that cleaner shrimp can work a bit at cleaning your fish of parasites, but have no expierience with it myself

[OCDP]

Wow, lots of replies and PM's.. I can't thank you enough. I greatly appreciate all the feedback.

What adds to my frustration even more now is that I am at home, and the clownfish has not a single speck of ick on it. I know it's the ick going through it's cycles.. but to see the fish in such rough shape 10 hours ago compared to now, you'd never know it was the same fish. Grrr! I am actually pleased to see the clown out and about. They even chose a coral to host today and that is my toadstool leather. And the Toadstool ain't lookin' too happy. But as I said, if the fish ain't happy, the corals are and if the corals ain't happy, the fish are.

Thank you all again, and please, keep the ideas and suggestions/experiences coming, it's all very good stuff to know. I will keep this thread bookmarked for future reference as well.

For tonight, I am about to stuff them with some NLS pellets. I am going to try this Aquarium Munster Protomarin Coral. It has decent reviews and is apparantley very gentle to inverts and corals, and seeing how I already have it I may as well try it. The dosing is only 3 days. I dose for two days straight, then leave the tank for one day, and then dose again on the fourth day. Wish me luck... if this doesn't work I will see what's best to try next. I don't want to do too much as I will just end up making matters worse.

Seems like regular feeds and good water quality should keep the fish in good condition. Just sucks that it will constantly be present in the tank, waiting to attack if the fish becomes weak.

Again, thank you!

[Brent F]

Originally Posted by OCDP

Just sucks that it will constantly be present in the tank, waiting to attack if the fish becomes weak.

That's where the cleaner shrimp many people are recommending come in. If the fish feel the parasite they swim up to a cleaner shrimp which removes the parasites. The shrimp become an in tank "swim in clinic" for the fish to go to when sick. The cleaners eat the ick during one stage of its life cycle keeping it in control.

If there aren't enough parasites for the cleaner shrimp to eat they switch to eating fish food.

[OCDP]

Originally Posted by Brent F

That's where the cleaner shrimp many people are recommending come in. If the fish feel the parasite they swim up to a cleaner shrimp which removes the parasites. The shrimp become an in tank "swim in clinic" for the fish to go to when sick. The cleaners eat the ick during one stage of its life cycle keeping it in control.

If there aren't enough parasites for the cleaner shrimp to eat they switch to eating fish food.

I understand. I have kept cleaner shrimp before and had ick, and they did not do a thing. I am sure many are hit and miss. Perhaps I will go grab one.. my pop's sure seems to enjoy the shrimp most anyhow. If it works, that would be great.

[JDigital]

Originally Posted by OCDP

I understand. I have kept cleaner shrimp before and had ick, and they did not do a thing. I am sure many are hit and miss. Perhaps I will go grab one.. my pop's sure seems to enjoy the shrimp most anyhow. If it works, that would be great.

If I wasn't already at the airport I could have loaned you my cleaner wrasse to try out.

[naesco]

Here is what you need to do.
1. Get two cleaner shrimp. Be very careful to acclimate them slowly and add them to your tank with the lights off.
2. Go to the LFS and buy one botter of garlic extreme and one bottle of Selcon and a good quality flake food. Put the flakes in a small container (juice bottle cap) and, shake and add 2 or three drops of selcon than add enough garlic exteme to the flakes (or any dried food) until they are saturated than feed the fish. Feed two or three times a day and feed only the saturated food. You need to continue this for a month or so.
You can also use squished garlic, or unflavoured garlic extract from a health food store but don't buy anything else as the others are diluted with water and less effective.
Because you are feeding more often you have to change the water often.

[Danny]

I went through a huge ick problem after I started adding fish to my new tank. I tried a couple of different so-called reef safe remedies and did nothing. The best thing I did was (as above) purchased 2 cleaner shrimp(which are 2 of the most comical creatures in my tank) and a cleaner wrasse. Try to find a cleaner wrass that is eating reg. food. Maybe I got lucky but mine is going strong and no sign of ick since. Good luck, Damn this hobby is addicting!!