Help with Scratching Fish

[XXX]

Are the fish breathing faster than normal? Anything new added to the tank? Are all of you parameters in line? Need more info.

 

[BeachNative]

Gang

While no one in the tank has any outward signs of problems, everyone is doing a lot scratching against the rocks and the sand. Any suggestions/help would be appreciated. TIA.

 

[Something Fishy in NY]

Check your PH.

SFNY

 

[BeachNative]

All numbers look good (0, 0, 0, 3.0, 8.2, 350, 1.0245, 77) and haven't changed significantly since day one.

The tank is 6 months old (100 gallons), the fish (blenny, goby, coral beauty and royal gramma) all went in (unfortunately without quarantine) with about 2 weeks in between introductions, but all before the end of last year.

The RG showed some signs of Ich in the first week, but a week of garlic appeared to clear that up and none of the others ever showed outwards signs of infection.

For the last month or so they have all started scratching and rubbing.

My cleaner works on the CB (as much as he can, and the CB is the only one who allows himself to be cleaned), but he still rubs like the others.

I also have some shrooms and a leather which are doing quite nicely.

Other than the rubbing, the fish all are happy and appear quite well.

 

[XXX]

Fish wise all of your parameters are good. (I would raise your calcium and salinity a little for your corals.) If you do not show any signs of disease then the only other thing I can think of is stray voltage. Do you have a grounding probe? No heavy breathing?

 

[BeachNative]

No heavy breathing...

 

[BeachNative]

Gang

Thanks! I can begin to quantify how helpful the response to this posting has been...

 

[danmhippo]

I can bet you the ich is still present in the water. Garlic treatment only help to build up the immune system of the fish, not irradicating the ich. Unfortunately, to irradicate, you will have to remove all fish for at least 6 weeks. Or better yet, remove all live critters and do a hypersaline treatment to the tank. There are someone (TerryB?) who is the expert on ich. You may want to consult with her. Ask the administrators, they will be able to track her down for you, probably.

Jimmy

 

[naesco]

I would check out your ph with a LFS or chuck your ph test.
You need to continue to feed garlic extract (not juice) for at least 30 days or it may return with a vengence. Feed only garlic soaked foods during that period.

 

[Anonymous]

Scratching could come from parasites, some irritant in the water, or even for some other reason.

Parasites is my usual assumption, but if there is no outward evidence, feed the garlic-soaked food but I would advise against anything drastic at this point.

Water changes can only help.

I would also use some good activated carbon just in case it is some sort of chemical contaminant.

Ich is not a disease to panic about, so just maintain vigilance, do everything you can to maintain/improve the water quality, and observe closely.

FWIW I was snorkeling in Hawaii a week ago and I was amazed at how many fish scratched on rocks and on the bottom. Of course, parasites are natural, so they probably had them...

 

[BeachNative]

Okay, so if they ARE breathing heavy, what's the diagnosis.

I'm positive this is a parasitic thing and would greatly appreciate recommendations for treatment.

Thanks!