Let's be honest....

fsu

Premium Member
Many people have had or do have sick fish from ick. There's also many people that don't have or use a QT for whatever reason there might be (money, space, patience, etc). I'll be honest, I am one of these people, for personal reasons.

With that said, I have lost fish to ick in the past with some making it through. One example was my Hippo tang. He broke out in ick, then it cleared up and went away. No problems with other fish. Then he broke out again several weeks later, killed all my fish but made it through himself along with a chromis.

I know some people are gonna flame this post, but I am just being honest. With my Hippo tang and chromis fine now, how long is a decent period to wait to add more fish again or any advice as to what to do besides QT which is obvious. Many people also say ick is always in the tank, so if it's always in the tank, regardless of how it got there, people add fish without anymore problems. Suggestions plz? TIA!

GOOO NOLES!!!
 
Sorry mam after many lost battles in going to day you need to quarantine.


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Ich is NOT always present in all tanks. If everything is properly quarantined then it is possible for you to have an ich free tank. I would not add any new fish to your tank if most of your other fish just recently died from it. It would just cause the fish unnecessary pain and discomfort. Cruel and unusual IMO.


This thread has a lot of good info on ich>
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1985626
 
Seen some people wait a week, others wait a month then add more fish with out any problems is why I ask. TY for the article!
 
I would suggest that it is very tricky to build up a sizable fish population without quarantine. Some really good reefkeepers have done it, but its difficult. Also, ich is not even close to being the worst disease that can be brought in - though it's the most common. Fish can develop resistance to ich, but any new fish will be susceptible.

If you must add new fish, then do so at least a week after symptoms have subsided, and select fish that are deemed to be less susceptible.
 
I would suggest that it is very tricky to build up a sizable fish population without quarantine. Some really good reefkeepers have done it, but its difficult. Also, ich is not even close to being the worst disease that can be brought in - though it's the most common. Fish can develop resistance to ich, but any new fish will be susceptible.

If you must add new fish, then do so at least a week after symptoms have subsided, and select fish that are deemed to be less susceptible.

I was debating quarantining every single fish I put in, but I would have to catch all the ones I have, which included tearing down the rockwork, etc. And I just didnt have the space to TTM, so I just didn't qt. I have a sailfin tang, blue tang, many many wrasses, gobies, a blue jaw trigger, and 2 pyramid butterflies. Basically a full 180 gallon tank. Add a fish after there are no more "white spots" adding a fish could increase the stress level for the others already there, which would lower their immune system's capabilty to fight it off
 
In your case right now, your tank has ich and will continue to have ich as long as a fish is in the tank to host the parasite. To rid of the ich, you need to let your DT go fallow for at least 72 days, 90 to be safe and treat the current fish for ich before introducing them back into the tank. Some case once a fish gets ich and they fight it off, they can become immune to it, but if they are stressed out than they can have an outbreak. I suggest quarantining all new arrivals. You will save money, time, and if married, some headaches-- LOL!!
 
IMO -I'd say if the Hippo was never treated for ich or the tank left fallow, most likely ich is still present in the tank and fish. Hippo may have just become immune to it but it's still infected as long as there's a host in the tank. That being said, its a roll of the dice at this point when adding any new fish. assuming 100% that ich was present, it will persist until properly treated and tank left fallow.
 
I haven't seen any one ask about what else is in your tank... is it a reef or fish only? If fish only, maybe you can use chloroquine. I've used it successfully in QT, but you could use it in your DT if you don't have a reef. (I don't THINK you can use it in a reef.) You can order this online: New Life Spectrum Ick-Shield Powder

Here's a thread about it: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2397496
 
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I haven't seen any one ask about what else is in your tank... is it a reef or fish only? If fish only, maybe you can use cloroquine phosphate (spelling?). I've used it successfully in QT, but you could use it in your DT if you don't have a reef. Just do a quick search on this forum and you'll find plenty of info.

I suggest not using this in your DT without being about to test for it. Plus with rocks, they can adsorb the CP.
 
I suggest not using this in your DT without being about to test for it. Plus with rocks, they can adsorb the CP.

There are no tests for chloroquine that I'm aware of. It also breaks down under natural light over time. I believe its safe to dose in a FOWLR tank.
 
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