Questions about ich

Discussion in 'Diseases' started by gabbyr189, Sep 9, 2012.

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  1. gabbyr189

    gabbyr189 Bubble Tip Anemone

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    I do not have any experience with ich. The fish in my system are not really ich-prone (a melanurus wrasse, a clown, and a ywg). I am thinking of getting a tang, which are notably ich-prone fish.

    I must start off by saying that I am not asking whether or not to get a tang. I am also not asking whether my tank is large enough for a tang, or how likely a tang would be to get ich in my tank. I am not looking for a debate here lol.

    Here is my concern. I am very against putting chemicals in my tank. There is absolutely no way that I would ever put a copper-containing medication in my tank if ich did become a problem.

    If I did go ahead and get a tang, and this tang eventually got ich, would this make my other fish more vulnerable to the disease? Even though they aren't prone to it? What would be the consequences here?

    Also, how likely is a fish to recover from ich? Can they recover on their own? Would all of my fish die if I did not do the treatment?
     
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  3. cosmo

    cosmo Giant Squid

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    I compiled this from stuff stolen by other 3reef members but it is a basic rundown of Ich:
    http://www.3reef.com/forums/diseases/ich-101-noob-noob-128391.html

    But yes, IMO, it would make them more vulnerable to Ich if the tang got it, and started a Ich bloom. They stand a decent chance of recovery from Ich if dealt ith right. Eliminate stress, feed a good diet, make sure it gets its algae sheets soaked in Selcon and it'll have a good chance of surviving.

    You're best bet is to QT the tang first and make sure its Ich free though. Although this prob is pointless if you didn't QT your other fish, because Ich is probably in your system already.

    Make sure to click on the link for Vinny's thread in my link. He's got a great rundown of how to keep it at bay;)

    Good luck;) But it seems like you have reservations about your tank being able to home a tang, if so, listen to your gut instinct, its prob right;)
     
  4. gabbyr189

    gabbyr189 Bubble Tip Anemone

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    I did not quarantine my other fish as they aren't really ich-prone. I do, however, have a 20g long tank that is up and running, and available to quarantine a new fish. This tank is not connected to our main system. I must say that there is a damsel in this tank. Not sure how aggressive he will be towards another fish in the tank.. He is still pretty small, but damsels are pretty well known to be mean and aggressive towards new fish.

    Again, not looking for a debate, but i suppose I must elaborate now lol. I was thinking of getting a smaller tang, like a Bristletooth Tomini Tang. Liveaquaria's recommendation is a 70g tank. I have a 90g DT. The tang that I am dying for is the powder brown.. Though, a 125g the recommendation for this tang. I have read many threads where reefers pretty much get yelled at for getting a tang that is too big for their tank (such as the classic case of a hippo tang in a 40 breeder). A debate is not required here lol. I am completely aware of the consequences. But seriously, how can one resist?
     
  5. cosmo

    cosmo Giant Squid

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    lol, I hear ya, I preface this by saying i have a YT in a 90g. The only thing I'd rec is read up more on the powder tangs, from what I hear, they can be PITA and very mean. I'd prob try to talk yourself into the tomini;)

    That being said, as far as I'm aware, pretty much every fish has Ich in its system, even if showing no signs, soooo, there is probably Ich in your system. While a QT is prob still recommended, it prob won't keep the Tang from getting Ich, since its in your system already. That being said, your best bet is gonna be to keep the Tang as happy and well fed as you can. Keep the stocking low, food quality high, and make sure it gets enough seaweed and soak it in selcon. Hopefully that will keep the Ich at bay!;)
     
  6. cosmo

    cosmo Giant Squid

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  7. gabbyr189

    gabbyr189 Bubble Tip Anemone

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    People keep trying to talk me in to the tomini tang. I should probably take the hint!

    My stocking is very low. I have a smaller wrasse, an ocellaris clown, and a ywg. My stocking is so low that when people look at the tank, they ask me if I have any fish at all lol. Everyone keeps telling me to get more fish. For me it is more about the coral.. A larger fish would be nice though.

    This raises questions about feeding. I suppose I am allowed to hijack my own thread ;). Right now I use an automatic feeder and feed pellets (new life spectrum - Thera A). The automatic feeder is very convenient, and I am able to set the amount fed to very low (as I only have 3 small fish). I have found that the pellets I am currently feeding are one of the best brands, and do not significantly contribute nitrate/phosphates/algae growth to the tank.

    Say I were to go on vacation.. How would I go about keeping the tang fed? Also, what is the best brand/type product to feed tangs? I'd like to use the highest quality food (relating to both nutrition and low NO3/PO4), regardless of cost. The reason I say regardless of cost, is because I find it to be more expensive to battle NO3/PO4 than it is to prevent it in the first place.
     
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  9. cosmo

    cosmo Giant Squid

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    What wrasse? 6line? But as far as food, most of the seaweed sheets sold are ok, or if you have an Asian market nearby, just go get nori sheets but make sure they are 100% nori with no additives then just soak in garlic and selcon! Much cheaper that way!
    And the tomini is a very striking fish once mature, but if you keep the stock list where it's at, I'd say get what you want to get, although I reserve the right to say "told ya so";)

    As far as vaca, if it's not over a week your auto feeder will be fine! Better would be to have someone check in every other day, but your fish will be fine nibbling on the rockwork and critters in your tank! It may actually be a good thing to clean the tank up;) wrasse and tangs love nuisance critters and algae;)
     
  10. kwinter1

    kwinter1 Corkscrew Tentacle Anemone

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    +1 to tomini good call, as far as ich once its in the tank it can harm other fish I lost a hooded fairy wrasse during an ich break out. He had also jumped out of my tank through plastic lighting cover and damaged his slime quote and some scales therefor becoming more succeptable to ich. so just look for a healthy tang and keep the stress down and feed it well you'll be fine.