Ich Magnets

daddio · 02-12-2008, 05:38 PM

I had a blue tang for over 6 years and occasionally it would get show signs of ich. I would monitor it, and whether or not the cleaner shrimp helped for sure, I never had to take drastic measures. It would never be worse for wear and none of the other fish ever showed any signs at all.

I recently replaced "Dori" at my families request, and sure enough it developed ich (I did quarantine for two weeks). It is eating well and doesn't seem to have any breathing difficulty. I feel sorry for it, with the rubbing, but in the past I have not had to pull my tang and medicate in a QT.

I guess my question is: Would you pull and medicate or wait longer and see how she copes?

Even if I medicate, I know that Ich is in the tank and I can't do anything about that. Eventually, she will be reintroduced to an infected tank. Also, I am afraid that the added stress of being pulled and QT'd might be worse. She is quite attached to 2 green chromis.

lcstorc · 02-12-2008, 05:45 PM

I don't think it really makes a difference unless you are willing to go all the way with a qt/hospital tank for all fish and leaving the DT fallow for 8-12 weeks so the parasite dies. That combined with a full QT for any new fish will keep your tank ich free.
If you aren't going to qt and treat then the best thing you can do is reduce stress as much as possible and feed food soaked in garlic to boost the immune system. A healthy fish can fight off the effects of the parasite in most cases but if the immune system is repressed then you can have big problems.

leebca · 02-13-2008, 09:38 AM

The approach taken is 'half-way.' You want to make up your mind to go all the way or not. Partway (e.g., a 2-week quarantine) doesn't achieve anything.

This is the all-the-way approach:
A Fish Quarantine Process - Step by Step

You felt sorry for the scratching fish. And you should, IMHO. It's like having a few dozen mosquito bites on the human and no one helping to get rid of them.

The other fish you think don't have Marine Ich, but that is because you didn't see it. They are infected. I'd recommend you learn more about what you are dealing with:
Marine Ich - Myths and Facts

Good luck!

02-12-2008, 05:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
daddio Fire Coral Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 69 View Gallery Karma Komment	Ich Magnets I had a blue tang for over 6 years and occasionally it would get show signs of ich. I would monitor it, and whether or not the cleaner shrimp helped for sure, I never had to take drastic measures. It would never be worse for wear and none of the other fish ever showed any signs at all. I recently replaced "Dori" at my families request, and sure enough it developed ich (I did quarantine for two weeks). It is eating well and doesn't seem to have any breathing difficulty. I feel sorry for it, with the rubbing, but in the past I have not had to pull my tang and medicate in a QT. I guess my question is: Would you pull and medicate or wait longer and see how she copes? Even if I medicate, I know that Ich is in the tank and I can't do anything about that. Eventually, she will be reintroduced to an infected tank. Also, I am afraid that the added stress of being pulled and QT'd might be worse. She is quite attached to 2 green chromis.

02-12-2008, 05:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 18,909 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Ich Magnets I don't think it really makes a difference unless you are willing to go all the way with a qt/hospital tank for all fish and leaving the DT fallow for 8-12 weeks so the parasite dies. That combined with a full QT for any new fish will keep your tank ich free. If you aren't going to qt and treat then the best thing you can do is reduce stress as much as possible and feed food soaked in garlic to boost the immune system. A healthy fish can fight off the effects of the parasite in most cases but if the immune system is repressed then you can have big problems. __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.

02-13-2008, 09:38 AM	#3 (permalink)
leebca Sea Pen Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: So CA Posts: 313 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Ich Magnets The approach taken is 'half-way.' You want to make up your mind to go all the way or not. Partway (e.g., a 2-week quarantine) doesn't achieve anything. This is the all-the-way approach: A Fish Quarantine Process - Step by Step You felt sorry for the scratching fish. And you should, IMHO. It's like having a few dozen mosquito bites on the human and no one helping to get rid of them. The other fish you think don't have Marine Ich, but that is because you didn't see it. They are infected. I'd recommend you learn more about what you are dealing with: Marine Ich - Myths and Facts Good luck! __________________ LEE

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