Reef tanks that had Ich
- Thread starter asmodyus
- Start date
After the tank is without fish (fallow) for 72 days, it is safe to add fish. Any fish, whether or not it has had ich, should be quarantined. Tank transfer will eliminate the possibility of ich, one additional month will allow for the fish to acclimate and for you to observe whether it has any other issues.
asmodyus
New member
Well because of the Rock scape and Coral the none of the fish were able to be quarantined the the tank as never ran fish less since the outbreak.
My question is bringing new fish in a tank that had an ICH outbreak.
Lostinthedark
New member
Its best to quarantine if you can but if its already too late the best way to deal with it is to keep the stress down. A lot of tanks run with ich. They also have a host of other parasites as well. They usually lurk in the back ground until something stresses the fish and their immune system weakens to the point where they can't fight it. Go very slow and don't overcrowd the tank. Make sure your tank is stable for a few months then add fish from the least aggressive first to the most aggressive last. And....Go slow
If you have never had 72 days of fallow, your tank still has ich. I suggest not adding new fish as they will get ich eventually.
Lostinthedark
New member
Quarantine is a "All or none" thing. If you don't quarantine everything that goes into your tank your not going to accomplish much.
asmodyus
New member
From my understanding that pretty much all tank have ICH in them fallow is a pipe dream for most tanks that have a large coral system from what I am reading.
So I just want to know the best steps on introducing any new fish in the tank that once had an outbreak and how long to go before introducing them and how long the fish should be quarrantied before being introduced into a tank that had ICH
Lostinthedark said:
Got go Slow maybe 1 or 2 fish every couple of months until tank is done. Also how long is the Best QT 4 weeks or 6 weeks?
Lostinthedark
New member
In your case quarantining would be more for the sake of getting the fish eating and treating it for any bugs it may be bringing in. This is great for fattening him up and getting him ready. Six weeks would be best.
I do agree with you that most people have ich in there tanks but they never know it as long as the husbandry is maintained. Its when something goes wrong like a broken heater or a black out causes sudden changes where ich might take over and cause more damage. IMO once a tank is established and everything is running right, Ich is not an issue.
I feed my fish first before adding anything. Cuts aggression. Then lights out. As long as you don't overcrowd them or add anything too aggressive I don't think you'll have a problem.
I do agree with you that most people have ich in there tanks but they never know it as long as the husbandry is maintained. Its when something goes wrong like a broken heater or a black out causes sudden changes where ich might take over and cause more damage. IMO once a tank is established and everything is running right, Ich is not an issue.
I feed my fish first before adding anything. Cuts aggression. Then lights out. As long as you don't overcrowd them or add anything too aggressive I don't think you'll have a problem.
Sorry, that is not correct. All tanks do not have to have ich if the owner of the tank understands proper protocol to avoid it. Ich is a parasite that does not initially kill but will eventually overwhelm then kill.
asmodyus
New member
That from what I understand is a highly debatable subject as there seems to be science proving both theories of in the tank from the fish even after ten to twelve weeks of treatment within a quarantine tank, and leaving the main tank to lay fallow people still encounter Ich.
Lostinthedark said:
Thanks I will try that I'm just more worried about added any tangs as they seem be highly prone to.
Couple of people told me to add Ich resistant fish so added a Mandarin Goby and a Blue throat trigger but both are suppose to be highly resistant to ich and neither one of got them after a couple weeks of QT.
So I figure to see what to do about fish that would be highly prone. So basically just make sure there nice in healthy in the QT after a while and than add them to the main tank and hope they don't get stress out and get all Ichy.
Great, please provide a reference.
asmodyus
New member
http://www.fishlore.com/Articles/CuringIch.htm
First Paragraph.
Now like I said this not my opinion I just read a lot of back and forth about ICH being always present in fish or in tank.
asmodyus
New member
After Doing a lot more research in the last hour I have come to the same conclusion as you that its only comes in from the fish and can be eradicated but there is some instance of ich coming back in a tank after treatment that let people believe that it always in the tank but this could be from improper treatments or not being effective for some reason.
Sigh. Yes, improper treatment results in the ich "disappearing" due to the life cycle and then, reappearing, because it was not properly eradicated.
I think a healthy tank can "have" ich and the fish will be fine, no outward symptoms, but its only a matter of time. I have gone years and years without ever having an ich "outbreak". Chances are its been in the system or introduced at some point on a fish or coral as suddenly I had an outbreak in February. There was no fighting it once it took a hold of a few fish, covered them. I tried bolstering feedings, Vit. C, nothing helped. Now every fish is in QT, even the ones that seemed fine. I feel it was the only chance my fish had once I saw it take over in a three weeks. I tried the wait and see method...I should have jumped on it in February. Oh well, now the fish are residing in their new digs and the main tank will be fish-less for 3-4 months. Harsh, but I feel its the only way to really get my main display healthy and free from the parasite. I do think people live with ich for sure. Once it gets a hold though there really seems to be no fighting it in the display. Just my opinion though.
Thanks. I am not sure why the post at all then?
As I said before, we have to agree to disagree. I believe, as does PaulB, that healthy fish nutritionally cared for, are a good thing. I do not believe it totally isolates them from ich. Your current problem illustrates that; I am certain your fish were well cared for.
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