Can a Dragonette host parasites

jtaylor1101

New member
I have a 3-4mo. Old reef tank that Has been infected with what I think is marine velvet. Possibly ich. The fish have all died rather rapidly and the remaining clownfish is covered in white spots and has a white fuzzy appearance. I have a black scooter Dragonette who throughout the entire process of adding fish and seeing them die off very rapidly, almost immediately. Has doubled in size and eats Copepods frozen brine and even pellets. He eats and swims all day long and is happy as can be. I read that some believe they are immune to the parasites and I tend to believe at least he is. I set up a quarantine tank but I would rather not transfer/stress him if I don't have too. So my question is if I remove the infected clown and let the parasite die off while treating the fish do I need to remove the scooter as well. Can a parasite that isn't affecting the scooter still host and stay alive on him or can I leave him and expect the parasites or disease to die off like an empty tank would
 
Yes, dragonets can harbor parasites without getting sick themselves.

From how you describe your clownfish I would say it has a Brooklynella infection.
 
Dragonets are not immune to parasites. Fish that are immune (my estimate is about 5%) can still carry the parasite.
 
If he's not immune why isn't he showing any ill effects. Literally every other fish has died rapidly after being transfered. And how should I treat him being that he has no signs of infection
 
Visible symptoms are not required for a fish to carry a parasite (which usually resides in the gills). A diagnosis was suggested above.
 

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