The controversy continues and it seems like these like these dudes are harder to eliminate than anything else I have encountered. I do not post often here on RC but watch it closely, too much controversy and bashing for me...
If you stick the science and ignore both the marketing hype and desire to want the "reef safe" marketing hype to be real, there is no controversy. The only time controversy comes into play is when people don't want to believe in the scientific literature. Considering how well researched the parasite
Cryptocaryon irriatans is, there is no reason for the same debates to continuously occur. There is sticky thread in this forum with some excellent science based links that will tell any aquarist all they need to know to combat this beast
Ich attack uses napthoquinone as the active ingredient...hmmm
Yup, they are grasping at straws by using something that sounds like it might do something. A little easy research shows that there is no reason to suspect that compound would have any effect on a ciliated protozoan. Possibly some effect on limeted bacteria, fungus, tumors, and maybe even muscle swelling, but none on protozoans. Another case of a product brought to market with no real scientific research behind it, just merely targeting to peoples wants instead of reality. All too common of a practice in this trade
How do we know that one did not survive during this fish free state embedded in the rock or sand for a longer time and will only come out again when the fish are re-introduced into the system...
The copious research on this parasite has shown that the absolute longest a cyst has ever survived is 72 days. That said, it's also been show that is a rare occurance and typically 6 weeks will be sufficient to get past any cyst being viable.
Chemical treatment of the reef is not an option
Correct, and to date no one has come up with a reliable treatment that is safe in a reef tank.
nosickfish treatments cannot be used with mud systems....
They don't work in any systems
What is a guy to do to 100% percent erradicate this?
Knowing the biology and scientifically proven treatments, it's really quite simple in concept, though a pain in the backside to carry out. It really comes down to treating all fish with a reliable scientifically proven cure in a dedicated treatment tank, and leaving the reef fallow for at least 6 weeks. To prevent introduction, Quarantine, Quarantine, Quarantine. Not just the fish either, but everything if you are absolutely sure the inverts came from an ich free system. It's all a great deal to cope with, but does work to ensure that you don't end up dealing with ich in your reef
