Help: New Butterfly with Ich. FML.

[ScubaSteve]

Ahhh F***! Just got home after pulling two back-to-back all-nighters at work and this guy is in rough shape. He's hiding and really lethargic.

As this is my only free day in the past couple of weeks (and for the next month) I need to set-up hyposalinity for this guy today. I know it's probably a last ditch effort but I gotta do something.

[reefwars]

hey man sorry to hear about this, it may be one of those times where you need to ask yourself if you can help this little guy or if its best to pass it to someone who has the right set up and can help him for you,its def a hard decision.

even with hypo salinity if you add him back to your tank in a couple months theres still a huge chance he can get it again.


you need to ask yourself if a $100 fish is worth jeopardizing your system with disease.

as it stands now its the only fish showing the signs right?? well if thats the case i believe if you keep him in your display he will add stress to the other fish.


remember copper will help for sure but its hard on weak fish and you will still have to solve the underining issue for the ich in your tank.


a freshwater dip can help for a very temporary relief but its also stressfull....catch 22 i guess...



if you must keep it put it hyposalinity and soak everything in garlic extract ,he needs to eat and eat lots...keep the lights out or low and try not to stress him out.....lots of hiding places and keep your water clean.



good luck mate i hope it works out for you...







my personal advice is to pass it on to someone and cut your losses, dont add any fish for a while and observe your other fish

[ScubaSteve]

Ya man, he doesn't seem to like his home here. I had decided about a week ago that I was actually going to get him back to good health then pass him on to someone with a bigger tank like he was in before. Maybe he'll feel more comfortable. I've got a hospital tank all set up and ready to go. I'll try to catch him tomorrow and get him going in there. Hopefully it'll help relieve some of the stress as well as get rid of the ich. Once he's back to chipper I'll bring the salinity back up and find a new home for him. I don't think there is anyone wanting to take him right now in his current state.

[daniella3d]

If you give the fish some live white worms it might bring him back to better health. It's a rich food that butterfly fish love.

Also when you bring the salinity back up, it must be done slowly, no more than 0.03 point per day, so for about 5 to 6 days.

Originally Posted by ScubaSteve

Ya man, he doesn't seem to like his home here. I had decided about a week ago that I was actually going to get him back to good health then pass him on to someone with a bigger tank like he was in before. Maybe he'll feel more comfortable. I've got a hospital tank all set up and ready to go. I'll try to catch him tomorrow and get him going in there. Hopefully it'll help relieve some of the stress as well as get rid of the ich. Once he's back to chipper I'll bring the salinity back up and find a new home for him. I don't think there is anyone wanting to take him right now in his current state.

[reefwars]

Originally Posted by ScubaSteve

Ya man, he doesn't seem to like his home here. I had decided about a week ago that I was actually going to get him back to good health then pass him on to someone with a bigger tank like he was in before. Maybe he'll feel more comfortable. I've got a hospital tank all set up and ready to go. I'll try to catch him tomorrow and get him going in there. Hopefully it'll help relieve some of the stress as well as get rid of the ich. Once he's back to chipper I'll bring the salinity back up and find a new home for him. I don't think there is anyone wanting to take him right now in his current state.

i think its a smart move, i know we all get attached to our fish and when they are suffering we are suffering as well , deep down we know whats best even if it means finding a new home for our friends. alot of problems arise for those who cant make that decision and its a part of this hobby...taking the bad with the good and making decisions that we would rather not have to make.

good luck buddy

[ScubaSteve]

One quick question that I've been getting mix answers on: should I bring the salinity down slowly once he's in or can I start him at a low salinity? The rest of the procedure I've got pretty good.

[reefwars]

Originally Posted by ScubaSteve

One quick question that I've been getting mix answers on: should I bring the salinity down slowly once he's in or can I start him at a low salinity? The rest of the procedure I've got pretty good.

lowering the salinity is easier on the fish than raising it ,in an emergency you can drop the fish in a lower salinity and it would be fine, but the transition will be easier for the fish acclimation wise if the temp and salinity match the display and then drop the salinity by taking away saltwater and adding ro water. but as daniella stated raising it must be done slowly over time .

[ScubaSteve]

This guy had a major turn for the worse over night (I'm super sick from only getting 4 hours of sleep a night for the past 3 weeks, so I'm only getting up now). I don't think he's going to make it.

Lessons learned:

-Bad stuff always happens when you are basically powerless to do something about it
-treat bad stuff quickly
-Always have a hospital tank on hand even if you have to leave it in the living room of your tiny apartment

Not fun...