hippo acting funny

[BTTRFLYGRL]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8011499#post8011499 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by KDodds
Would you mind pointing out where Noga "and the other experts" have directly stated that Tangs can not acquire immunity to Crypto? If I were basing my statements solely on my PBT, I could understand your skepticism, however, I can assure you that I am not. See Steven Pro's comments on "Natural Immunity" here: http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-10/sp/feature/index.php

And from your own link:
"Acquired immunity occurs when the response is specific to the invading organism, which is recognized directly or through antigens (Dickerson and Clarke, 1996). Colorni (1987) first suggested that marine fish could acquire some immunity to C. irritans by surviving several infections. Burgess and Matthews (1995) demonstrated acquired immunity in the thick-lipped mullet, Chelon labrosus. They found that 82% of fish that had been previously exposed to high levels of theronts were immune to a secondary exposure."

Note that they're talking about PRIMARY exposure as evidenced by immunity upon SECONDARY exposure.

As well, in your link, the reference is to Tangs possibly lacking INNATE immunity, not an inability to ACQUIRE immunity.

Geez....I was just kidding about your smart Tang..LOL

Most Tangs won't survive repeated ich infections. My link provided info on Mullets...can't really compare these fish to Tangs when it comes to ich..

I don't think it is ever wise to advise someone to leave a fish in an ich infested tank to 'fight it off', hoping that the fish will develop immunity...Its always best to remove the fish to a qt and treat them while leaving the tank fallow. I think ALL experts agree that is the BEST method to rid your tank of ich.
People often say their Tangs get ich off and on....But without examining a skin scraping under a microscope, you cannot be sure that it is ich or another parasite. Their are many diseases/parasites that cause 'white spots'. Ich is the most common so people always assume that is what they are dealing with.
So I will ALWAYS choose to treat, I won't risk the lives of my fish by leaving them to 'acquire immunity'...which may last for only six month

 

[KDodds]

It's six months of non-exposure. The antibodies/immune response would remain in effect in the presence of that particular strain. IME, most fish CAN withstand exposure, even repeated exposure, as long as all other care is optimal, including Tangs. That's not to say I disagree with the consensus opinion. For most people, in most tanks, there IS a reason the fish became symptomatic in the first place and that these symptoms do not disappear within a few days. These reasons are enough, IMO, to warrant removal of all fish and re-evaluation of the system in general. Unfortunately many believe that hospitalization and leaving the main tank fallow will solve their problems, only to find that reintroduction, even some weeks or months later, proves the problem unsolved. IOW, prevention is much more effective than cure and prevention entails a healthy, suitable environment that is and remains relatively stress-free. This is also something most experts agree on.

 

[BTTRFLYGRL]

I agree, prevention is key.. I quarantine all new arrivals. I keep a low bioload , do weekly water changes and do a lot of research to make sure my fish are compatible. But...I didn't start out doing this, I learned the hard way

 

[KDodds]

LOL, most of us do, unfortunately. At least my initial exposure/experimentation was limited to FW species, farmed animals.