Can ich tomont encyst on inverts?

[archangel91]

After having an ich breakout that almost wiped out my tank when I first started, I've been QTing everything for 12 weeks before putting them into my DT.

I never really thought of it before since everything I have added has been corals and snails and I know that the ich tomonts can encyst on the frag plugs, rocks, and snail shells, but is it possible for a tomont to encyst on other inverts like a cleaner shrimp, urchin, or anemone?

I'll likely end up still doing the 12 weeks just for the peace of mind, but interested to know for sure if they can really only encyst on hard surfaces or if they can encyst on anything they find.

 

[smtank]

No, anything that is moist has the potential to carry the parasite into a tank though.

 

[Spar]

No, anything that is moist has the potential to carry the parasite into a tank though.

??? Maybe I'm just reading that answer wrong... the "No" makes it sound like you are saying Tomont's can't find an invert to encyst on.


Regardless, to clarify or supplement: Tomites, the cyst stage of the Crypto/Ich life cycle can encyst on anything hard, including snails, shrimp, coral, live rock, etc. So yes, your procedure of QT'ing anything that could be exposed to Ich for 12 weeks is spot on.

 

[archangel91]

That's kind of what I figured. With them being able to encyst on basically anything, is there anything preventing them from encrusting on the fish itself?

 

[DasCamel]

That's kind of what I figured. With them being able to encyst on basically anything, is there anything preventing them from encrusting on the fish itself?

Don't think it is possible, if it was tank transfer would be useless. But, Who knows could at very small odds.

 

[Spar]

Can ich tomont encyst on inverts?

In the sticky research write ups at the top of this forum there is a specific reference that states in a very small percentage of occurrences the cyst will occur on the fish. In these situations you/we are just SOL and considered an unlucky one. This is also why observing the fish for 6 weeks even after TTM is important.

I personally just play my odds on that and only TTM + observe a total of 4 weeks... Knocking on wood right now

 

[smtank]

??? Maybe I'm just reading that answer wrong... the "No" makes it sound like you are saying Tomont's can't find an invert to encyst on.


Regardless, to clarify or supplement: Tomites, the cyst stage of the Crypto/Ich life cycle can encyst on anything hard, including snails, shrimp, coral, live rock, etc. So yes, your procedure of QT'ing anything that could be exposed to Ich for 12 weeks is spot on.

Thank you for clarifying.

I just went and re-read the sticky. I was not aware that Tomites actually attach to a medium/substrate....

Learn something new everyday.

Again thanks for clarifying.

 

[Deinonych]

This is a great article that covers all aspects of crypto infections:

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fa164