Ich Myths

Discussion in 'Diseases' started by PghSteeler, Jul 9, 2012.

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  1. PghSteeler

    PghSteeler Tassled File Fish

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    So after reading many different articles and browsing multiple forums I am still left confused on myths vs facts of SW ich.

    My main confusion lies in the truth behind the presence of the parasite in our systems. We QT fish and say that if after a certain amount of time of no disease than the fish is disease free and add it to our DT. However, mostly with tangs, people point to them and call them ich magnets if in a too small tank, poor nutrition, or any other stresser. I always thought the purpose of QT the fish is to stop the introduction of disease to our DT, so if the fish passes the QT why would a fish after 6 months develop ich? It should never be in our DT to begin with and if it gets in there anyway why bother doing a QT for a fish?

    Long rant but main question is does ich live unnoticed in the majority of our DT for years and years much like its cousin freshwater ich and only become a problem and cause an outbreak when there are stressors to the inhabitants?
     
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  3. ska d

    ska d Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    I guess my answer to your questions would be maybe and maybe. I think there are so many factors. Yes we may qt our fish. But what abiut other things. Clean up crews ( i know ich is a fish parasite) and or any other new addition that may have who knows what lying in wait. I think staying on top of water conditions.and just being vigilant ( say with removing ditritus or dead inverts) with our systems is the only way to go. I personnaly have never qt a fish ( i know i know ) and have gotten lucky i guess. But to that point i only have one tang at a time and i pay close attention to the lfs tanks. Such as how clean and the general looking health of the fish. If i see even one dead or stressted fish in the tank i wont buy. I also have a pretty good lfs. They qt their fish and wont.sell until they have been there awile. So the stress on the fish is less between moves.
     
  4. Mr. Bill

    Mr. Bill Native Floridian

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    The marine ich parasite can only lie dormant in one place-- the gills of fish. Fact is, the majority of wild-caught fish have it in their gills, and it is stress to that fish that "wakes" the parasite and causes the infection and infestation.
     
  5. PghSteeler

    PghSteeler Tassled File Fish

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    so if we QT the fish and treat preventively does it not kill the dormant parasite?
     
  6. Corailline

    Corailline Super Moderator

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    Any thing that carries water, coral frags, macro algae frags, cuc....all have the potential to carry marine ich. Since you can not treat these items prophylatically, nor do they become infected with the parasite you do risk introduction of Marine Ich, yes at a greatly reduced risk, but that is relative to the parasite population numbers within the tank the item originated.
    Some strains of Marine Ich are more resistant to treatment, the time fallow can be as long as 90 days or more, with the treatment time with medication extended. Hyposalinity may not be effective above a SG of 1.008.
    Should you quarantine your fish, that is totally up to the hobbyist, is it a good idea yes.
    If you are going to quarantine "in for a dime in for a dollar" do it right and consistently, or not at all.
    Marine ich is an opportunistic disease, better not to give it the opportunity if at all possible by using the methods we are all familiar with, stress reduction, good nutrition, stocking appropriately.....
    If you are a tang fan you quickly learn not to panic at the signs of ich, but you get in a routine.
     
  7. PghSteeler

    PghSteeler Tassled File Fish

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    Thanks for the responses, I do not currently have ich in my tank nor have I ever seen anything to make me think I would but was just wondering if it is something I need to worry about in the future or if after say 3 months of no ich and never adding anything else to my tank I could guarantee ich free fish for as long as I dont add anything to the tank.

    I feed NLS thera with garlic and Nori with garlic and have my stocking levels very light. I have a baby Blue Hippo tang for 3 months now and everyone says they are ich magnets. Once in a blue moon I see some flashing but from what I understand that is sometimes a territorial thing, there has never been any visible signs and the flashing is rare and far between and only last a couple minutes when it does happen, never on a consistent basis
     
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  9. Corailline

    Corailline Super Moderator

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    One of the most popular theories: After months with no introduction of new strains of the parasite any parasites residing in a tank become incapable of infecting the fish, either because of some resistance the fish has developed after exposure or decline in the parasites ability to infect or produce symptoms. It maybe one factor or the combination of factors.

    With that said member Renee has had a lion fish that repeatably became symptomatic.

    It's my opinion that people 1st do not understand the life cycle, some assume the parasite is gone and the fish is cured simply because the parasite is not longer visible on the body of the fish. Secondly people rush into cures with out proper research first and then expect results overnight, when that does not happen they jump on board to a possible alternative cure.
     
  10. Greg@LionfishLair

    Greg@LionfishLair 3reef Sponsor

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    Here's a little article that may help you understand Crypto...

    Understanding & Treating Cryptocaryon irritans a.k.a. Ich

    I can add that we have found Quinine Sulfate (Crypto Pro) to be a really good treatment for resistant strains of this pathogen. In the article, we mentioned that the verdict was still out, and we need to revise that section.