Ich experiment

[Cutiewitbooty]

Disclaimer, this is totally unscientific. :hmm5:

So I finally somehow got ich in my tank. It looks like the normal ich, plus there is black spots on my atlantic blue tang, so maybe the black ich as well? Haven't bought any fish in a few months (the last was a squaminnis anthias about 3 months ago), but I know come fish can have unexpected outbreaks. Anyways, I am got doing to break down the tank, catch every fish and quarantine them. I don't have the space or money for that right now. I have tried reef safe methods in the past with little success (8+ years ago in my SPS tank). Everything except a damsel died.

Anyways, I am going to try what I have available to me and see what happens. My water quality is good so I'm going to experiment a little and see what happens. I'll post everyday regardless if it's good or bad.

I am aware that the only proven methods (to my knowledge), that help are copper and UV sterilization.

So my thinking is diet mostly. Garlic is known to boost the immune system, which in turn can help a fish fight off the parasite. One thing I haven't seen anyone try is coconut oil. I am not one to jump on the coconut oil band wagon that it cures cancer, ect, but it can't hurt right? I am also using a lot of Prime, to help with the slime coat. And if I can catch anyone, some fresh water dips.

So twice a day I am thawing out a cube of mysis. I squeeze all of the water out of it and mix in some organic unrefined coconut oil, and fresh pressed garlic juice. I let it sit and soak up the oil/juice. Then I freeze it. All of my fish eat right out of my fingers so they should be getting full bites with the oil/juice. In between, I am feeding Pycine Energetics Mysis, and Enriched Brine w/ yokes.

So here we go lol

 

[Cutiewitbooty]

Day 1:

Altantic blue tang, royal gramma, and blue damsel have white spots. Atlantic blue tang also is covered in black spots.

I was able to catch the tang and gave him a freshwater dip for 5 minutes.

Everyone ate the CO/Garlic mysis twice, as well as the other two feedings.

Dosed tank with Prime.

 

[snorvich]

The proven methods of ich treatment are: tank transfer, CP, copper and sometimes hyposalinity. Freshwater dips have no effect on ich nor does garlic.

 

[ReeFreak1]

I love these kind of experiments and I am excited to learn your findings. :bounce1: I am also willing to do this experiment once you note improvements as I have ICH in my tank right now. I am currently using fresh garlic and ginger extracts. They help maintain ich but they are not clean cut. I have a couple of questions though, why CO? What are the known benefits of it?

 

[snorvich]

I have a couple of questions though, why CO? What are the known benefits of it?

CP (chloroquine phosphate) is the preferred treatment for velvet and works terrifically for ich; I prefer tank transfer, however for ich. These experiments may be fun, but do not expect that they will work. All mentioned have been tried before. Many, many times. CO in the original posters post is coconut oil.

 

[Cutiewitbooty]

I agree that the chances are it won't work. But since I do not have the means to treat out of the tank, I wanted to see what else might work. Coconut oil is the thing that I do not think I have seen anyone do before. So along with the other dietary/nutritional treatments, I am curious what might happen.

Coconut oil is a new "cure all" craze right now. I don't necessarily believe all of the hype, but I figure it can't hurt and who knows? Here are some benefits a quick google search brings up. (not peer reviewed or anything, i said this was super unscientific lol)

Virgin cold pressed Coconut oil tastes and smells like coconut. Hydrogenated coconut oil is odorless and tasteless, and should not be used.
It kills bacteria causing gonorrhea, gingivitis, urinary tract infections, as well as staph
It helps with Candida fungi.
It kills pathogens from flu, infectious diseases, typhoid fever, HIV infection
It inhibits the growth of parasites such as tapeworms, flukes, giardia
It has a soothing effect on acid reflux and irritation of the gall bladder.
The consumption of oil strengthens digestion and counteracts the formation of hemorrhoids.
It soothes and helps with intestinal disorders, colitis, ulcers, Crohn's disease and irritable bowel syndrome .
It stabilizes insulin production and blood sugar.
It relieves itching and neuropathy in diabetes.
It reduces the symptoms of cystic fibrosis and help prevent osteoporosis .
It increases the absorption of calcium and magnesium - reinforced, in the bones.
It reduces the inflammation of joints and muscles, supports tissue repair.
It balances the thyroid function.
It protects against colon and breast cancer.
MCFA help prevent Alzheimer's disease.
MCFA strengthen the circulatory system and the heart, protect against atherosclerosis and heart disease.
It prevents the oxidation of fatty acids.
It provides antioxidants against free radicals, slows the aging process and the progression of degenerative diseases like arthritis.
It helps with chronic fatigue syndrome.
It reduces the intensity and frequency of epileptic seizures.
It stabilizes the female hormones, reduces vaginal dryness and hot flashes during menopause.
It reduces the symptoms of prostate enlargement.
It protects the liver against degeneration.
Mixed with olive oil and garlic it has a soothing effect on ear pain.

 

[ReeFreak1]

Exactly my case. I can't treat the tank with copper so why not try other solutions. I'm sure copper treatment was discovered during trial and error experiments and wasn't there since the beginning of time. I don't think coconut oil reduces fish vaginal dryness, but with this many benefits, you never know, it might turn out to be an alternative to copper treatment. Otherwise the hunt must remain to find the remedy, which I believe is out there somewhere waiting to be uncovered.

 

[Nina51]

Coconut oil is a new "cure all" craze

operative word, "craze".

good luck with your experiment. **knock on wood**, i've never had to deal with ich but if this works, i'mma gonna plant a coconut tree in my yard.

 

[gone fishin]

I wish you good luck with your management attempts.

 

[ReeFreak1]

if this works, i'mma gonna plant a coconut tree in my yard.

LOL... :lolspin: Good attitude though you cannot grow coconut trees in Illinois.

 

[snorvich]

LOL... :lolspin: Good attitude though you cannot grow coconut trees in Illinois.

Just like you cannot cure ich with coconut oil. In any case, reporting this experiment should be over a 90 day time frame. Ich will appear to come and go as the life cycle progresses so simply reporting that visible ich symptoms have disappeared would be meaningless.

 

[Nina51]

LOL... :lolspin: Good attitude though you cannot grow coconut trees in Illinois.

then i'll grow an oil tree and add coconut to it.

 

[gone fishin]

i'mma gonna plant a coconut tree in my yard.

will hard hats be required at MA?:uhoh3:

 

[snorvich]

will hard hats be required at MA?:uhoh3:

Ever heard a coconut fall? :hmm5:

 

[gone fishin]

Just of the display at the grocery store. But, I would bet they would leave a mark.

 

[Nina51]

i pass out hard hats anyway. the campfire ring is right under a ginormous black walnut tree. those things hurt when they hit!

 

[ReeFreak1]

Cutiewitbooty, could you provide information about your tank and it's inhabitants?

 

[ReeFreak1]

I'll post everyday regardless if it's good or bad.

Just want to remind you to update. I am excited to learn your findings so far.