A question about Ich a year after the outbreak.

[mike13579]

Hello,

I have a 55 gallon FoWLR tank right now that I want to convert into a reef tank. Last January I had an Ich outbreak in my DT. Using medications I 'treated' my fish in the DT without setting up a hospitalization tank (dumb I know but I was less experienced, I have a hospital tank now). After using the medication the spots left my fish about a month later and since than I have not SEEN an outbreak (white spots coming back). Due to wanting a refresh for my tank I will be trading in all of my fish in the coming weeks and getting new ones. My question is; even though I have not seen an outbreak in about a year is it correct to assume that my fish have built up an immunity to it and the parasite is still present in my tank? If so I should let the tank sit without fish for 9 weeks, correct?

Thanks.

 

[snorvich]

Immunity seems to occur in only about 5% of fish. (I am avoiding the question you asked because I am not sure)

 

[mike13579]

Thank you for the reply!

That seems like an awfully low percentage for all of my fish to become immune. On the other hand, If the ich is still present in my tank I would think that I would have had another outbreak.

 

[Kidd Reef]

Thank you for the reply!

That seems like an awfully low percentage for all of my fish to become immune. On the other hand, If the ich is still present in my tank I would think that I would have had another outbreak.

Not necessarily. Alot of time's ich can be present in the system with fish showing no visible signs,in this case an outbreak will usually only occure upon the fish being stressed(new fish added, Temprature swings, Drop in water quality etc.) Hence the importance of proper quarantine procedures in the first place.

IMO itd be best to leave your display fallow for the 10 weeks just to be on the 100% safe side

 

[mike13579]

Thanks for your reply!

I think I am going to let my tank fallow once I re-home my current fish. It is a rare opportunity to have a fishless tank so why not take advantage of it just to be absolutely sure.

 

[TitanCi]

A question about Ich a year after the outbreak.

Hmm. Let me see if I can help.

I asked one of my reefing buddies how he dealt with ich in the past. He didn't.

He "managed" ich with garlic soaked foods, good water, no stress yada yada... So 2-3 years he's been "ich free".

He recently purchased a new sohal, from the same place i did, and what shows on his sohal? Ich! And almost immediately his established yellow tang had ich too! It wasn't from the sohal obviously... But from..... His tank.

Im sure it was kept in check throughout the years but that's ich in the flesh: once a new addition is in and a fish's immune system drops, it rears its ugly head.

Even after my incident and struggles in going through this, no matter how much i advocate him treating, he won't. He says I'll just watch and see.

It's not like his tank and livestock are cheap too, just doesn't believe or want to believe it's in his tank even if he can't see them months later. I feel many people are like this.

 

[mike13579]

Thanks for your reply!

Some people can be real stubborn and it is a very dangerous quality to have in this hobby.

Once I trade in my fish in the coming weeks I will let it sit fallow for 10 or 11 weeks just to be sure I start with a clean slate. And after I will use the TTM, which I have been reading up on, to screen any new occupants before they go in.

 

[snorvich]

Thanks for your reply!

Some people can be real stubborn and it is a very dangerous quality to have in this hobby.

Once I trade in my fish in the coming weeks I will let it sit fallow for 10 or 11 weeks just to be sure I start with a clean slate. And after I will use the TTM, which I have been reading up on, to screen any new occupants before they go in.

Good decision.