Jan

No more than anyone else, Rob. John of BRK got a very bad infection from handling rock about 2-3 years ago? remember? Dr told him it was pretty serious. He had to take antibiotics too. I think it is hit or miss. You can't see all the microscopic germs you're adding into your tank. Also the mucous membrane is pretty much like an open wound. It's as direct as you can get.

Ha! I've change my way of eating and have been using virgin coconut oil in place of vegetable oils so I have lots of it. Dr. prescribed antibiotic eye drops because of the conjunctivitis the water caused. Conjunctivitis meaning inflammation of the conjunctiva for which there are many causes. A lot of people hear conjunctivitis and think the common bacterial or viral form which is highly contagious and caused by specific germs. She said if it does not clear up in three days I need to see an eye doctor or if I start to lose my vision I need to go the the ER. that was a bit scary. It was really great to speak with a doctor that knows that hazards involved in reef keeping. We discussed M. Marinum and vibrio. There have been recent outbreaks and exposure to a few tourists here of vibrio from swimming at our beaches. This is due to the rise in the water temps this time of year and the fact that people swim with open wounds. She said that the antibiotics should take care if I have been exposed to either at this early stage. I like a healthy mix of modern medicine with holistic for many things. I may try using the coconut oil too. Thanks Heck no!! I refuse to wear goggles when I put my hands in the tank. It was a freak accident. I can't even remember how I caused the stupid splash. Everyone knows me for my advice on protection when messing around in your tanks, especially wearing gloves when fragging. I always say wear goggles and gloves and cover wounds with water proof bandaging and gloves. I've got very long gloves for when I have to do a lot of aqua-scaping. I tell everyone to ALWAYS wear goggles and gloves when fragging zoanthids and palys and always wash your hands with antibacterial soap. I do this stuff myself. This was a freak accident. I should have stopped and rinsed my face and eyes. I didn't and then I forgot all about it. Totally my fault and stupidity. Pin worm larvae in the eyes? I'd have to live on very high doses of Valium for my nerves. I'd be a wreck, a total basket case!! Just the thought of worms in me and worm larvae in my eyes makes my skin crawl. Like a bad horror movie. No Eric, I did not get the RSM. We got a new patio and an in ground pool and I'm getting a new car so I had to scale back and settle for a 110 RR. It's ok. I hate the depth. It's very difficult to work in. I will post pics soon. It looks nice. I miss my 156 Oceanic. Best tank I've ever owned. I let my husband know about it at least 3 times a week. He's the one that said I couldn't take it with me :-( .

It was a little itchy. Now it's getting hot, very swollen and a little painful. Seeing the Dr. at 1:00

It happened yesterday and this is what I woke up to.

LOL, Paul!!! Try dipping it in a solution of RO/DI FW mixed with methylene blue. It serves two purposes; The FW will kill any parasites it may have and the methylene blue helps to kill any bacterial infection it may have and heal any wound it may have common injury or from parasites like flukes being attached to it and then dropping off and leaving open wounds. you can also just observe it and see if anything gets worse. Sometimes issues resolve on there own with the right envionment and nutrition. Have you got a QT set up? Follow the instructions for FW dip here carefully. - http://www.wetwebmedia.com/dips_baths.htm

I guess that is good to hear. Not the ones that will be allowed to die....unless that is because they have very short lifespan. All very sad on many levels. Thanks, Dave. Hope all is well with you and the family.

Yes. She discovered that they can survive in fresh water. A huge concern....but how much time did she give it to make sure that they can really thrive on a FW diet?

It's better than doing nothing. I agree especially since there are so many people who start out in this hobby, no different than the snake keepers and the like, not understanding how important it is to be responsible about it and decide to irresponsibly get out by dumping their critters all over the place. So since the hobbyist cannot be controlled the goods have to be unavailable. There are many hobby's like this.We have a huge problem here with anaconda and pythons. Anacondas are of more concern. there are standing orders to shoot and kill if spotted. They are thriving here in the Everglades. Alligators will eat small pythons, boas, etc.. but some are no match for the large anacondas and can even become prey. Unfortunately I think regulating needs to start with the importers, breeders and distributors/vendors. There are some that have a conscience or don;t want to be bothered and others who will get you what you want as long as you pay for it. Very irresponsible. But something needs to change somewhere.

AMAZING!!! As always. :-)

Fantastic comeback. What is going to happen to all the inverts?

http://www.oceandefenderhawaii.com/breaking-mermaid-skeleton-found-in-poland/

Try blowing the detritus off the ricks and siphoning the water. If you have a lot of detritus then you don't have enough flow.

what are your TDS readings? where are you getting your RO/Di water from? Are you using RO/DI water? Is your TDS meter working? Can someone else check it out for you? What kind of flow do you have in that system? Clean up crew? <<<scratching my head>>>>>

When all else fails with high nitrates....http://saltaquarium.about.com/od/nitratecontrol/ss/sbsnitratereduction_2.htm

I'm so sorry. Mine bled under the skin and scales like that too. They aren't an easy fish to acclimate. the bigger they are the harder they are to adjust. Did you use the rock with copper? Throw it away. Wash the QT with 50/50 beach water. Scrub the silicon as that is where the copper gets absorbed. You did you best. You tried.

Those portable koi ponds would have been easier to travel with than inflatable pools.

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/blog/we-brought-an-entire-aquarium-with-us-and-built-a-fish-sized-hyperbaric-chamber

Fantastic!!! Great job.

Prazipro works very well for tapeworms as well as flukes and other parasites. I've used it in my mixed reef and had very good results. - http://www.uskoi.com/prazipro.htm I posted this a couple of years ago. It's a really good reference - http://www.nationalfishpharm.com/fish_diseases/fecal_disorders.html

Oh, ok. I wouldn't know what to look for in poop and wouldn't bother. All I know is that white poop is a sign of parasites. I really think placing him in hypo salinity for the ich is the safest way to go right now. Keep trying to feed him and watch those water parameters. My male wouldn't eat either. I had to force feed him. I would not recommend anyone do that. I worked very closely with the supervisor of live aquaria and he talked me through all of it. I got some slack from it from others too. This is exactly why I gave up on getting male Genicanthus. All of them had issues and all, except for one died within days. the one that lasted longer died with 2 weeks. Between what I read about the catch methods, the size they came in (too big) and how stressed they get I gave up on getting males. I purchased females and hoped that they'd morph. All in all I lost 4 gorgeous large males; 2 watanabei and 2 melanospilos. It was horrific and exhausting.

You're doing great!! White poop is typically indicative of internal parasites. Did this fish eat in front of you at the LFS?

WAMAS should consider inviting Dr. Torres to lecture on "Identifying Common Marine Fish illnesses and Diseases, and Various Treatment Options." something most would benefit from. She was eager to do something like this for WAMAS.

LOL!!! That wasn't out of love, that was out of desperation and frustration. I was getting one hit after another and another. It would have cost me more money in losses or to have continued to guess than it did to have a vet run some tests and tell me what to do. The best $88.00 I've ever spent in this hobby, really. I'd do it all over again.

Here's the thread and the vet information. http://wamas.org/forums/topic/56472-if-it-isnt-one-thing-its-a-flippin-other/?hl=%2Bpender+%2Bexotic&do=findComment&comment=480953