How do you avoid clownfish disease in captive bred clowns?

[glenns]

During my research to save my Maroon clowns from Brook, I discovered that captive bred clowns normally don't have any natural immunity to this disease. So how do you handle introducing wild caught fish to a tank with a captive bred clown? In my case the new fish will not be clowns. I know we quarantine all new livestock 8wks before adding them to the DT. But Formalin is the only know substance to kill Brook, so it will not normally be in the QT system. Currently mine is running copper, but that apparently will not work on Brook. So it seems possible some Brook can be transferred in with new fish.

 

[deangelr]

That is a good question.. PM MarinaP, she will know.

 

[bues0022]

I haven't heard that captive or wild-caught have any significantly different immunity to brook in our tanks. Perhaps in the wild, the wild-caught ones can somehow fight it off, but I think you will run a significantly higher risk of a clownfish having brook by getting a wild-caught specimen than a captive-bred fish (assuming the breeder/wholesaler/LFS are clean with their process).

 

[deangelr]

Ya but he is asking.. "are other fish (not clowns) that you wouldnt normally dip in formalin (the only killer of brook) possible vectors for brook? Could they transmit the parasite to the CB clowns that you already have?

because it is well know that captive bred clowns will be brook free unless they have been infected by a WC brook infested clown.

I would say that if you see now signs of brook in your fish during the QT period then I wouldnt worry about it.

 

[bues0022]

I see what you are getting at. I guess I got hung up on the following statement:

During my research to save my Maroon clowns from Brook, I discovered that captive bred clowns normally don't have any natural immunity to this disease. So how do you handle introducing wild caught fish to a tank with a captive bred clown?

I took this to imply that the OP believed that there is a lesser risk of a clown getting brook in our tanks (through transferring any other new fish in) if it had originated as WC rather than CB - something which I do not believe, or at least haven't seen the data to support this yet.

But I do agree with deanglr. If you don't see it during your QT, I wouldn't worry a bit about your new fish bringing it into your system.

 

[rkelman]

I think you'll be fine after the qt period. Being a breeder I believe you are correct in saying CB clowns are more prone to brook. This has been my experience as well. That being said I also think there is a correlation between stressed clowns and brook.

 

[deangelr]

I think you'll be fine after the qt period. Being a breeder I believe you are correct in saying CB clowns are more prone to brook. This has been my experience as well. That being said I also think there is a correlation between stressed clowns and brook.

Rkelman, Did you mean to say that WC clowns are more prone to host brookynella?

CB clowns only get brook from improper QT of other clowns or fish in the system, although they may be less effective at fighting it off.

 

[rkelman]

Absolutely wwc fish are more likely to host brook. We need to qt our fish to protect existing livestock.

 

[Nebthet]

Also, please remember, clownfish are not the only carriers of brook. Most other fish also carry this disease and if not QT'd properly, will pass it on to your existing captive bred clowns, which as Rkelman stated, are more prone to getting the disease, because they have not developed the natural immunity they would have.

 

[glenns]

So does that mean all new fish should receive a 15minute 1000ppm Formaline bath, before entering QT?

 

[deangelr]

I wouldnt do a formalin dip unless I notice symptoms.. It would take several dips or a long term bath to kill brook. Most people dont do this unless they see signs of brook.

Proper QT to me just means isolation and time.. Then just watch and see, react to what you see.

 

[deangelr]

Also I can't find any literature that says CB clowns are less effective fighting off brook then WC clowns.. anyone got a good source on this? or is it just reefers experience on this one...

 

[Whip316]

what % of all WC clowns do you think come in with brook? i would be scared to get a WC clown or other fish that didnt get treated for brook or other diseases.

 

[rkelman]

Also I can't find any literature that says CB clowns are less effective fighting off brook then WC clowns.. anyone got a good source on this? or is it just reefers experience on this one...

I'm just speaking from my personal experience with several thousand clowns raised.

 

[deangelr]

Not doubting you, just curious.. Thanks..

 

[rkelman]

Hey no prob. There is so many myths in this hobby that are propigated by so called professionals, question everything.

 

[mrbigshot]

you should treat for brook in qt even if you dont see it. i had an outbreak that has now wiped out most of my stock, this happened months after adding the last fish. brook can be carried by the host for nearly ever, if the fish is healthy than it may never appear but it can be transfered to the rest of your fish without even knowing. my stock was either tank raised or wild fish that have been in captivity for years.

 

[deangelr]

How long did you QT the fish?

 

[mrbigshot]

6 weeks. they were in the previous owners tanks for years