Dwarf Fuzzy Lion fish looks to have ich.

[Double-O-Zilch]

Hey guys, my name is Parker. I've had fish but it's been a good 12yrs and never saltwater. Last sunday I got a used 14 gallon Bio Cube that has been through the cycles already so I got myself a lion fish. I was going to get some soft coral this weekend but think I'll wait now. I noticed he wasn't swimming around like he did at first and it was coming up on his feeding time so I got some black mollies. He killed, not ate, 2 and 1 is still in the tank. So he has not eaten since I got him. I noticed today that there seems to be some white spots on him, which is hard to see as he is a fuzzy. Also it seems his eyes are getting cloudy. I have nothing in the tank other than some live rock and the one mollie. I've tested the water and the salinity and other parameters seem to be in good order. My brother in law has Rxp but it says specifically on the bottle not to use with lion fish. I've read the post on myths and treatments and am just wondering what you guys think I should do. The fresh water dips seem a little hard considering the fins and spines. Like I said, nothing but a mollie and live rock which I would have no problem removing. This little guy has grown on me and I would hate to see him go. Thanks for your help in advance.

[Double-O-Zilch]

Forgot to mention his breathing seems labored so I think I'm gonna mod the out flow with a piece of tubing to draw some air in. I would really like some input as the only chance I have to do anything is today before 4pm, going in to work to fix something. I work 6pm to 6am and have no time during the week. Next time I'll be able to do something is next friday and I fear it will be too late by then. I will do a water change tomorrow as I know that's the only thing that will do some good.:nailbiting:Here's a pic of when he seemed alright and happy.

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z174/parkermarsh/100_05812.jpg

[Mr Cob]

Nice looking fish.

The first thing you need to do is to get him eating... full fish = happy fish, happy fish = ich at bay.

Not sure if you saw this or not...but here is everything you need to know about ich:
http://maast.org/forums/showthread.php?t=49040

Now, if you decide that is too much to do and you do not want to treat the ich properly then this is what i would do:

-try some various foods (i'm not a lion fish expert so no suggestions here for you)
-increase air in tank as you stated you are already doing
-small water changes to compensate for the extra feeding

Good luck and welcome to MAAST. Normally people respond quickly to the emergency thread...but it's the Holidays.

[Double-O-Zilch]

I tried to get him to eat black mollies and he has absolutely no interest in them. I know he ate at AD when I got him sunday. He just seems to be getting weaker by the day. Then today I noticed his eyes getting cloudy and the white spots on his fins. Also the breathing seems pretty heavy. I'm gonna mod the out flow as soon as I post this. l'll talk to Jason later today and see what he thinks I should get. The only other tank I have is a 55 gallon that is just the tank alone. If I need to I will buy a ten gallon for QT. The fresh water dip sounds like a good idea I'm just worried about damaging him even more. My brother in law, ctcoral, brought his test kit over and all seems well there. The salinity is good and the temp is between 74-76 f. I believe my brother in law has some garlic so I will try that. What type of food should I try it with? Already tried silver sides by them self and he turned his nose up to them. I'm willing to try anything, just looking for direction.

[Europhyllia]

Poor little guy. What is the recommended temperature for this species? Maybe he's a little cold at 74 and would eat more at slightly warmer?
Check on this first though to make sure higher temps don't make it harder to fight ich, etc.

Okay nevermind:
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2006/4/aafeature1
apparently not a good idea to raise temps now with fish stressed and oxygen levels low

[Europhyllia]

Did a quick search and found this:
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-11/fm/feature/

Is the the 14 gallon tank your quarantine tank? Once he is doing better he'll probably be happier in your bigger tank.

http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/lionfish/Dwarf.php
Sounds like they're nocturnal and you might need to feed him at lights out? One of the articles said they had small mouths compared to other lionfish. Is your food small enough?

Disclaimer: Please note that I'm just throwing out ideas here. I don't have any lionfish experience.

[Double-O-Zilch]

It appears the little guy isn't going to make it. He was upside down when I got up this morning and now does not appear to be breathing at all. My first attempt at saltwater seems a failure. I don't really think it was ich, he seems to be swollen. Maybe he didn't do good with the transition from wild to tank? I have no idea. This could be an expensive hobby considering the prices and risk involved, maybe I should stick to freshwater.

[Double-O-Zilch]

The fuzzy is no longer with us. ;( I haven't given up just yet though, I went and got some more live rock today and almost got another fuzzy. I'll wait about another week before adding any more fish. The last mollie and a couple zoas I got today should hold me over. I am still on the look out for another fuzzy, I will just make sure he's made the transition to tank life first. If any of ya'll know of one, please let me know. These fuzzies have grown on me and I will try again!

[hobogato]

sorry about the loss. i had one of these a long time ago and it would only eat live ghost shrimp. fw ghost shrimp can be found here occasionally, i think polly's pets on pat booker carries them. however, the healthiest thing for a salt water fish is salt water food typically since it will have the correct nutritional balance of things like omega 3 fatty acids. i dont know of anyone around that carries sw ghost shrimp, so your best bet is to train to frozen food as soon as possible when you try again.

[Europhyllia]

Double O
I am glad you didn't get too discouraged. I am sure there will be another Fuzzy for you. :)
A few things that worry me though is
a) the size of your tank. According to my resources a dwarf fuzzy needs at least a 30 gallon tank. They appear to be active swimmers and won't be happy in a little tank long term
b) the speed of setup to purchase. Even if ti was fully cycled when you bought it, setting it up on Sunday and getting a fish right the next week might not be a good idea.

Make sure your set up meets the needs of your chosen fish and test the water parameters, etc. before adding anything. Did you test your water? What were the numbers?

Good Luck and Best Wishes for the future :)

[Double-O-Zilch]

I double checked all the parameters before adding my new livestock today and everything was solid. Even says my Ph is stable. I did a 3 gallon exchange just to remove any death lingering in the tank but he wasn't dead for more than an hour before being pulled. Just trying to be safe. I also found out today that the 30 is the smallest recommended tank. I may just wait till I get the 55 up and running and just focus on building up a softy tank with a few fish, crabs and a shrimp or two. Anyone has any bright colored frags for sale I'll be running around town tomorrow seeing what's out there. The new guys seem to be taking well and I think I'm gonna put some damsels in there to keep the mollie company. Funny thing is the only fish alive is the one who got the least attention, just tossed the poor fella straight from the bag in the tank with no transition. I gotta admire the heart in that little guy.:applause: For the record it wasn't a week later, it was the same day. I jumped the gun a little on that one I'm sure. Need to take the advice and source with a little more skepticism next time. Meaning, never ask a salesman if you should buy something!

[1fstlightning]

Every Fuzzie that I bought didnt make it long either, after about 3 of them I stopped buying them. Then I was told that they are a little harder to keep than the bigger Lions, how true that is I dont know, I just stopped buying them after the 3rd one died on me. Yes they do love ghost shrimp, all mine would tear them up.

[Double-O-Zilch]

I almost got another but decided to give up too.