Ich, Fin Rot, Parasites, or a combo!? Second opinions please. (Black ocellaris)

smartwater101 · 09/11/2012, 11:59 AM

Looking for opinions on what this might be. I’ve been reading a lot about ich and other parasites but as a newb its hard to narrow it down on my own.

First the history: I’ve had this black ocellaris clownfish for a month. She originally lived in a 20 gallon Rubbermaid with live rock and sand. (I purchased a broken biocube and had to tear down that tank and wait for a new acrylic setup) The Rubbermaid had a skimmer and filter attached.

The new tank (29 gallon) with refugium/sump (approx. 15 gallon) has been running for a week now. No nitrate or ammonia. After adding her to the new tank she took a moment to check out the whole tank and eventually found a rock near the bottom (with a flat side) that she seemed to enjoy.

She has always stayed low in the tanks. Low but active. She readily comes up at feeding time and eats frozen mysys and copepods. She IMMEDIATELY paired with her new tank mate, a smaller percula clownfish. She had this small mark before her new friend came. But the spot does seem larger the last 2 days (even larger in the photos)… and since she stays low I’m wondering if maybe she is just been rubbing the sand too much.?

I also notice white stringy poo last night. From what I’ve been reading this could be a completely separate issue than ich?

Other tank mates (aarow crab, emerald crab, 2 red burrowing crabs , 10 hermits) (Turbo snail, 4 burrowing snails, 6 bumble bee snails) (2 peppermint shrimp) I’m willing to risk the peppermint if I MUST dose copper treatments. (Scooter blenny, currently living in the refugium while I train him to eat mysys and let the DT copepod population grow)

I hope this info and pics help! Any ideas would be much appreciated. I’m relearning the hobby and with the setup being so new, I don’t want to dose anything until I have more opinions. As I said, she seems happy and active but I’d rather not wait till something seems REALLY wrong to get opinions… THANKS!

MrTuskfish · 09/11/2012, 12:43 PM

That looks like lymoho, a harmless virus. it should disappear on its own with good diet & pristine water.
The stringy poop is a sign of internal parasites, usually a type of worm. Prazi-Pro is a wormer that should help and is the safest med I know of. With the exception of feather dusters; it won't hurt anything in a reef tank---the only med I'd ever use there. IMO, PP should be used with all new fish

smartwater101 · 09/11/2012, 04:48 PM

Thanks for the quick response. I've been reading many positive things about Prazi-Pro. I'll have to pick some up.

09/11/2012, 11:59 AM	#1
smartwater101 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 382	Ich, Fin Rot, Parasites, or a combo!? Second opinions please. (Black ocellaris) Looking for opinions on what this might be. I’ve been reading a lot about ich and other parasites but as a newb its hard to narrow it down on my own. First the history: I’ve had this black ocellaris clownfish for a month. She originally lived in a 20 gallon Rubbermaid with live rock and sand. (I purchased a broken biocube and had to tear down that tank and wait for a new acrylic setup) The Rubbermaid had a skimmer and filter attached. The new tank (29 gallon) with refugium/sump (approx. 15 gallon) has been running for a week now. No nitrate or ammonia. After adding her to the new tank she took a moment to check out the whole tank and eventually found a rock near the bottom (with a flat side) that she seemed to enjoy. She has always stayed low in the tanks. Low but active. She readily comes up at feeding time and eats frozen mysys and copepods. She IMMEDIATELY paired with her new tank mate, a smaller percula clownfish. She had this small mark before her new friend came. But the spot does seem larger the last 2 days (even larger in the photos)… and since she stays low I’m wondering if maybe she is just been rubbing the sand too much.? I also notice white stringy poo last night. From what I’ve been reading this could be a completely separate issue than ich? Other tank mates (aarow crab, emerald crab, 2 red burrowing crabs , 10 hermits) (Turbo snail, 4 burrowing snails, 6 bumble bee snails) (2 peppermint shrimp) I’m willing to risk the peppermint if I MUST dose copper treatments. (Scooter blenny, currently living in the refugium while I train him to eat mysys and let the DT copepod population grow) I hope this info and pics help! Any ideas would be much appreciated. I’m relearning the hobby and with the setup being so new, I don’t want to dose anything until I have more opinions. As I said, she seems happy and active but I’d rather not wait till something seems REALLY wrong to get opinions… THANKS!

09/11/2012, 12:43 PM	#2
MrTuskfish Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: The Wild Blue Yonder Posts: 8,887	That looks like lymoho, a harmless virus. it should disappear on its own with good diet & pristine water. The stringy poop is a sign of internal parasites, usually a type of worm. Prazi-Pro is a wormer that should help and is the safest med I know of. With the exception of feather dusters; it won't hurt anything in a reef tank---the only med I'd ever use there. IMO, PP should be used with all new fish __________________ If God didn't want us to eat animals, he wouldn't have made them out of meat. Steve Current Tank Info: 180, 2-240 FOWLRs, 240 reef

09/11/2012, 04:48 PM	#3
smartwater101 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 382	Thanks for the quick response. I've been reading many positive things about Prazi-Pro. I'll have to pick some up.