This is my sitatuation. I have a 55 gallon tank fowlr. The current inhabitant is a snowflake eel. He has been in there for roughly a year and shows no outward symptoms of ick. When I first set-up the tank I had a few other fish in there with him all of which contracted ick and died. After leaving the tank fallow (except the eel) for 12 weeks, I introduced another few fish and all contracted ick and died. I waited four monhs and a few days ago introduced a lionfish. Again, ick and deah. My conclusion is that the eel is carrying the parasite asymptomatically. What would you fellows suggest as a course of action? I know copper based products are potentially deadly to eels, and I don't feel confident that a hypo saliniy treatment would completely rid the tank of the ick. I have nowhere else to put the eel atm. Opinions on a course of action would be welcomed.
Advice on Treating Eel with asymptomatic ick
- Thread starter harana
- Start date
MrTuskfish
Team RC
Sure, your eel is supporting the ich. Because you aren't quarantining new fish, they could be bringing it in as well. If you won't get a HT/QT; then I think you'll have to be content with just the eel. I'm not an eel expert; but I don't think there is any guarantee that it won't be overcome by ich ; if and when conditions are right and the ich simply becomes too numerous. Tank transfer or quinine sulfate should take care of the ich on the eel and the DT needs to stay fallow for 10-12 weeks.; but, or course requires a QT/HT. Even if you could eliminate the ich in your present setup; the first fish you add could easily bring it (or something worse) back into the tank.
