Clarkii Clownfish Brooklynella

The larger of my two clarkii Clownfish has been infected with Marine Ich. The tank is a 55 gallon, and a little over 3 weeks old. I know it's a young tank, and still going through its cycle. I heard Clarkiis were some of the hardiest fish, so thats why I chose them. while I was out of town this weekend, someone bought me a large black serpent star. so copper medications wont work. ive done some reading on here, and heard that increasing the temp speeds Ich cycle. will this relieve the clown by any chance? he's not eating, would garlic infused algae have an effect on him? please, any tips for maintaining or killing this parasite would be useful. thanks! and I don't have a qt for a clown...

 

go any get a 5 gallon bucket, out a heater and some clean newly mixed saltwater (but make sure its mixed well like for a day) and use that as your QT/Hospital tank and dose as needed He may not like it but then you get to keep him. As far as re introduction of him to the tank if you wait 3-4 weeks the ich will die without a host. You can even invest in a 10 gallon tank from walmart to use as a hospital tank. hope this helps and always use a QT tank, also I think the star might grow to big for a (55 I think)

 

best bet is to move both clowns to a Hospital tank and treat with copper, heat does speed the cycle but it will not kill it!

 

he's already huge. with legs out a diameter of at least a foot. I might try to return it. and thanks for the advice. I have a cycled 10 gal qt. in my garage. I didnt think about it, and that it would be too small. I'll give it a shot and get qt water tested this week. thanks.

 

let me specify. would it relieve symptoms/ pain? and thanks.

 

No not really

The only thing that will do that is a fresh water dip/bath as the change in osmotic pressure and will destroy the parasites present on the fish, but it is only temp. and it may stress an already compromised fish to the point of death.

If you go that route read this link first. Water pH and temp must match tank water and if you can provide an oxygen source that would help considerably.

Marine Ich/Cryptocaryon irritans - A Discussion of this Parasite and the Treatment Options Available, Part II by Steven Pro - Reefkeeping.com

 

thanks Corailline, you're a great help as always.

if worse comes to worse, that's what I'll do. I will try a QT tank first... if he makes it till tomorrow. he's staying in the same spot, looking at his reflection in the glass. and the Ich is everywhere. would algae keep him eating at least? he's even missing out on mysis and flakes, which isn't like him at all. and doesn't copper have negative effects on clowns? thanks for all the help guys.

 

Not if you keep it at a therapeutic level, which you need a copper test kit for.

If he is not eating he probably will not accept the algae or food that has had garlic added but at this point it can not hurt to try.

Sorry to hear about you fish and the frustrations that go along with marine ich.

Make sure it is marine ich and not brookynella. Brookynella kills quickly and copper will treat both.

 

well Corailline, I did some reading, and I think you're correct on Brooklynella. I read that it can kill a fish in a matter of hours. he's still alive, laying on the sand bed, and breathing, sort of off balance too. I can't call my LFS until about 3:00, and I can't go to my LFS until 5:30. I'm hoping that he will hold out.

 

oh boy... well you could always NOT use medication and go for hyposalinity; it just needs to be done right though...