Marine ich

yakfishin · 12/13/2006, 11:17 AM

I started seeing white spots on a newly added foxface, was previously quarantined for 3 weeks, once I added him to my main display tank. I started freaking out because I thought that perhaps I didn't see them under the low lighting of my quarantine tank but they were very visible under my stronger display lights. The aquarium is new, and he is my first fish addition. I have a good number of particles free floating around in the aquarium, seems every time the hermits pick at something or the foxface feeds off the live rock- a few more particles come floating out. So I'm thinking that it is just these particles getting stuck on the foxface. So my question is, if it is ich, how long would one expect the spots to stay visible? I have not seen one of these spots grow larger or stay on for more than 1 day. Some appear and disappear within an hour- so I know these are just particles temporarily getting stuck on him. Part of my concern is also his coloration, he was once very yellow on the back half of his body, but in the past 3 days this yellow portion is starting to show up more as an off white. This seems to happen more once the lights on the aquarium click on. If just a room light is lighting the aquarium he seems to remain his vivid yellow.

yakfishin · 12/13/2006, 11:20 AM

Also meant to mention- water parameters as checked 3 days ago were amonnia 0, nitrites 0 and nitrates (can't remember actual number) was the 2nd to lowest reading. This nitrate reading was on a test for low nitrates, as the normal reading for nitrates showed as being close to 0. I'm checking everything tonight- ph, alkalinity etc.

EdKruzel · 12/13/2006, 11:26 AM

That is a very timid species and will be a little high stressed until acclimated (a little longer than most species).

More than likely it is particles stuck to its slime coating, but even if it is a little ich, you have little to worry about.

As a new tank I hope it is completely cycled? Keep the water pristine and with a heavy amount of alternating current.
Temperature should be a constant 80 degrees (79-82 acceptable ranges).
Feed plenty of greens such as nori or heavy fibered veggies; no lettuce, not even romaine.

Good Luck,
Ed

yakfishin · 12/13/2006, 11:47 AM

Yes, tank is definitely cycled- cured live rock in seperate containers from maintank for 3 weeks until ammonia and nitrite measured both measured 0, and then left maintank running fishless- just snails and hermits, for another 2 weeks before adding foxface. I just never saw this coloration in the whole 3 weeks of quarantine- but perhaps the brighter lights of the display tank are causing this coloration to appear. The color is not something that he can't change, becomes sometimes he does show up as his vibrant yellow self. Thanks for the reply.

EdKruzel · 12/13/2006, 12:28 PM

Rapid color change is very common in many species kind of like a mood ring (they were popular in the 70's

) and as it becomes better acclimated it will show off its vibrancy once again.

yakfishin · 12/13/2006, 08:47 PM

Well, I figured what at least triggers my foxfaces color change. Yesterday when I saw him out about he was yellow, when I approached the tank he started turning white right in front of me. Today when I got home I approached the tank and again, he was as bright yellow as any yellow tang, and then with in 10 seconds once I got up to the tank he turned compelety white- even his black spot turned gray. So it's me! The thing is, he knows I feed him, so he comes up to me whenever I'm near the tank, so he doesn't act at all scared or stressed. Perhaps it's his excited color, knowing he's about to get fed. Or......perhaps I'm just that damned ugly!

12/13/2006, 11:17 AM	#1
yakfishin Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 696	Marine ich I started seeing white spots on a newly added foxface, was previously quarantined for 3 weeks, once I added him to my main display tank. I started freaking out because I thought that perhaps I didn't see them under the low lighting of my quarantine tank but they were very visible under my stronger display lights. The aquarium is new, and he is my first fish addition. I have a good number of particles free floating around in the aquarium, seems every time the hermits pick at something or the foxface feeds off the live rock- a few more particles come floating out. So I'm thinking that it is just these particles getting stuck on the foxface. So my question is, if it is ich, how long would one expect the spots to stay visible? I have not seen one of these spots grow larger or stay on for more than 1 day. Some appear and disappear within an hour- so I know these are just particles temporarily getting stuck on him. Part of my concern is also his coloration, he was once very yellow on the back half of his body, but in the past 3 days this yellow portion is starting to show up more as an off white. This seems to happen more once the lights on the aquarium click on. If just a room light is lighting the aquarium he seems to remain his vivid yellow.

12/13/2006, 11:26 AM	#3
EdKruzel Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 7,384	That is a very timid species and will be a little high stressed until acclimated (a little longer than most species). More than likely it is particles stuck to its slime coating, but even if it is a little ich, you have little to worry about. As a new tank I hope it is completely cycled? Keep the water pristine and with a heavy amount of alternating current. Temperature should be a constant 80 degrees (79-82 acceptable ranges). Feed plenty of greens such as nori or heavy fibered veggies; no lettuce, not even romaine. Good Luck, Ed __________________ When you find yourself in "Deep Water" it's best to keep your mouth shut! Current Tank Info: 65RR Cube Mixed Reef

12/13/2006, 12:28 PM	#5
EdKruzel Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 7,384	Rapid color change is very common in many species kind of like a mood ring (they were popular in the 70's ) and as it becomes better acclimated it will show off its vibrancy once again. __________________ When you find yourself in "Deep Water" it's best to keep your mouth shut! Current Tank Info: 65RR Cube Mixed Reef

12/13/2006, 11:20 AM	#2
yakfishin Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 696	Also meant to mention- water parameters as checked 3 days ago were amonnia 0, nitrites 0 and nitrates (can't remember actual number) was the 2nd to lowest reading. This nitrate reading was on a test for low nitrates, as the normal reading for nitrates showed as being close to 0. I'm checking everything tonight- ph, alkalinity etc.

12/13/2006, 11:47 AM	#4
yakfishin Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 696	Yes, tank is definitely cycled- cured live rock in seperate containers from maintank for 3 weeks until ammonia and nitrite measured both measured 0, and then left maintank running fishless- just snails and hermits, for another 2 weeks before adding foxface. I just never saw this coloration in the whole 3 weeks of quarantine- but perhaps the brighter lights of the display tank are causing this coloration to appear. The color is not something that he can't change, becomes sometimes he does show up as his vibrant yellow self. Thanks for the reply.

12/13/2006, 08:47 PM	#6
yakfishin Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 696	Well, I figured what at least triggers my foxfaces color change. Yesterday when I saw him out about he was yellow, when I approached the tank he started turning white right in front of me. Today when I got home I approached the tank and again, he was as bright yellow as any yellow tang, and then with in 10 seconds once I got up to the tank he turned compelety white- even his black spot turned gray. So it's me! The thing is, he knows I feed him, so he comes up to me whenever I'm near the tank, so he doesn't act at all scared or stressed. Perhaps it's his excited color, knowing he's about to get fed. Or......perhaps I'm just that damned ugly!