QT for CUC and Shrimp

[ilikefish34]

This could be the wrong spot (if so, mods please move or delete--and I'll repost), I know that there is an invert section but the QT process would be to prevent passing along some nasties to the fish.

Since a snail's shell, hermits too but I won't be adding any, could play host to parasites during their life cycle, I'm thinking that they should go through a QT process. But what about Serpent Stars and Sea Cucumbers? Also planning on a couple of Cleaner Shrimp (just for the look of them) and would like to take the proper precautions with them.

Any thoughts or suggestions of what has worked (or at least provided peace of mind) for you would be much appreciated.

Thanks
Mike

 

[Dmorty217]

Anything wet should be QTed. Shrimp and CUC should be in a fallow tank to ensure they are disease free

 

[ilikefish34]

Anything wet should be QTed. Shrimp and CUC should be in a fallow tank to ensure they are disease free

Would you stick with the same fallow time period as if ich had been in the DT (80 days or so) and would a molt affect that time period for shrimp?

Also, I've been following your stock list thread... can't wait to see it come to fruition!!!

Thanks
Mike

 

[Deinonych]

Would you stick with the same fallow time period as if ich had been in the DT (80 days or so) and would a molt affect that time period for shrimp?

Also, I've been following your stock list thread... can't wait to see it come to fruition!!!

Thanks
Mike

Yes and yes. I quarantine inverts for 72 days in a dedicated invert QT. If the shrimp molts, you could transfer to the DT provided you minimized water transfer.

 

[ilikefish34]

I figured that would be the case for the snails, hermits shrimp (prior to a molt) but am a little surprised that it's still the same for the serpent stars and sea cucumbers--I'm guessing the fallow time period is recommended due to the possibility of ich hitching a ride.

Well, years ago, when I worked in a little mom & pop lfs, my most common advice to all customers was that "nothing good happens fast in salt water". I'll stick with that a be patient.

Thanks
Mike

 

[ThRoewer]

Ich cysts being present on live tissue is extremely unlikely.

Burgess tested among other substrates also sea stars and urchins (image below) and found that ich wouldn't encyst on them. I think this can also be extended to serpent stars.

I would also say that live coral frags are free of cysts as long as you cut the base off or they are freshly cut and have no dead portions.

Shrimp and crab should be fine once they have molded while in a fishless tank for at least a day. In general it is rather unlikely that ich will encyst on a shrimp, given their habit of cleaning themselves often.
I would also suspect ich protomonts to be tasty bites for shrimp and even some fish (Burgess had the problem that his test fish liked to eat the parasites that just fell off them and had to build a separator to stop them from doing that)

Hermits are a bigger problem due to the shell they carry around. You would need to force them to switch into a sterilized shell and then wait for them to mold to be on the safe side.

Algae control snails are the biggest problem with their hard and often algae encrusted shells. Those are perfect settling grounds for cysts.
Cowries and similar snails may be less of an issue as their mantle usually covers their shell.

Now all this is only regarding ich and maybe velvet.
Brooklynella and uronema have no encystment stage. Brook may live without a host for up to 6 weeks.
Against uronema no fallow or quarantine period will be effective as it is an opportunistic parasite that doesn't require a host.

 

[CHSUB]

Ich cysts being present on live tissue is extremely unlikely.

.

interesting chart...mullet scales jumps out at me!!!! this could explain why some people fail when QTing! also why University of Florida does not recommend TTM as a sole method against ich.

 

[lespaul339]

Inverts are easy enough to quarantine. It's worth it for the extra peace of mind IMO. Just put them into a 10 gallon tank with hang on back filter or air stone for water flow and keep up on water changes and you will be fine. Just like Qt'ing fish.

I introduced ich to my display earlier this year from adding an invert clean up crew. I always QT'd fish, but not inverts at that point because I always read you didn't have to. From now on anything wet get's QT'd before it goes in my display!

 

[ilikefish34]

Inverts are easy enough to quarantine. It's worth it for the extra peace of mind IMO. Just put them into a 10 gallon tank with hang on back filter or air stone for water flow and keep up on water changes and you will be fine. Just like Qt'ing fish.

I introduced ich to my display earlier this year from adding an invert clean up crew. I always QT'd fish, but not inverts at that point because I always read you didn't have to. From now on anything wet get's QT'd before it goes in my display!

Sorry to hear, definitely worth the effort--I just wanted to make sure I would be putting them through the right process.

TheRoewer - very useful chart... thank you.

 

[Dmorty217]

Inverts are easy enough to quarantine. It's worth it for the extra peace of mind IMO. Just put them into a 10 gallon tank with hang on back filter or air stone for water flow and keep up on water changes and you will be fine. Just like Qt'ing fish.

I introduced ich to my display earlier this year from adding an invert clean up crew. I always QT'd fish, but not inverts at that point because I always read you didn't have to. From now on anything wet get's QT'd before it goes in my display!

I know someone who had this exact same experience. I want a CUC for my 625g, I'm just not sure it's worth the hassle