Another possible ich diagnosis

Ok, so today my wife and our foreign exchange student bought me a hippo tang. The tang is about 2" long and looks like he is in really good shape. They bought it from the LFS I always go to. They are reputable and I would like to think they would not have sold my wife a fish that knowingly has itch. I came home from work and to my surprise my wife and exchange student were acclimating it! I was so excited the thought of quarantine didn't even cross my mind. I began to notice some white spots on the tang and immediately thought "itch". Here are two of the best pics I was able to get of him. All you experts out there, tell me what you think. He is acting normal and eating mysis and macro algae. He has not been harassed by any fish that I have seen.

 

I think its ick; I'd put him in a quarantine, feed him food, and see how it works out. if the ick eventually goes away then I'd treat with copper or use hyposalinity to get the ick out of the fish for good.

 

I would feed him, let the fish fight off the ich. I wouldnt qt him, you will stress him more.

 

Agree, don't quarantine the fish. I have a Hippo Tang in my 40 Breeder. The acclimation with these particular fish are the most difficult part. After acclimated, they are quite hardy.

 

Ok. What are your thoughts on freshwater dip? Is it that beneficial or worth it at this point?

 

Waste of time.

 

I woke up this morning and there were more white spots and they are more pronounced. The tang is beginning to "itch" himself against the rocks. As so as my LFS opens up I will consult them and buy some garlic.
Thanks for all the help guys!

 

1. doing a dip now on the fish will help to kill what is on it, but not 100%. I use this procedure for my freshwater dips. Freshwater Dip for Marine Fishes I have used this successfully on tangs. that said, chasing a fish around the tank to dip it will cause more stress. in addition, you have introduced the parasite into your tank it is very possible it has released its young into the water column. dipping the fish may rid it of current set of parasites, but a new wave may be ready in waiting.
2. QT is the best thing to do for fish introduction. yes, I have not done it in the past. yes I do plan on it in the future equipment permitting.
3. garlic may stimulate them to eat but it is NOT a cure.
Garlic: What has been Studied Versus What has been Claimed by Steven Pro - Reefkeeping.com

Lastly, do a bit of reading on it. I did and learned a ton. once I did, I was able to calmly treat an infection I had instead of panicking and doing the wrong thing.

Reefkeeping Mag is a good one to read
Marine Ich/Cryptocaryon irritans - A Discussion of this Parasite and the Treatment Options Available, Part I by Steven Pro - Reefkeeping.com
Part 2
Marine Ich/Cryptocaryon irritans - A Discussion of this Parasite and the Treatment Options Available, Part II by Steven Pro - Reefkeeping.com

 

i think if the fish is eating and is still healthy keep up the feeding and dont qt it will just stress it out more and make it worse. My kole tang has has ich before and got over it.

 

Hippo tangs are known for getting ich. I had one and it eventually got it. A FW dip might stress it out more, but then again, do you want an ich breakout in your tank? I don't think putting it in a QT is a horrible idea (especially if you see the spots getting worse).