Ich and what carries it?! - Page 2

Justusfish · #11 03-07-2007, 04:31 AM

I am taking all the rock out of my 50 gallon and putting in a plastic tub, heating it and leaving all the fish in so I can quarantine for six weeks. I'm going to try hyposalinity method.

After six weeks, I can move them into my new 210 gallon ich-free tank.

But what about my corals? I only have about five: sun coral, xenia, rose anemone, branch daisy coral? What should I do with them?

BCOrchidGuy · #12 03-07-2007, 05:08 AM

My understanding is that Ich is present in almost every tank etc. Fish exhibit the spots when Ich starts to multiply usually when fish are weakened through stress. If your fish has Ich showing you can give it temporary relief with a fresh water dip, add some buffer to some fresh water that is obviously dechlorinated and at the same temp as the tank. Put the fish in and watch it for any signs of stress, with the fresh water dip it shouldn't take to long for the Ich to start to fall off. Transfer the fish to a QT tank that's set up and ready to go and keep it a bit warmer than normal, lower salinity over a week and feed well but keep the water clean. Once the fish is adapted to the lower salinity keep it there for a week or two and then very slowly increase the salinity back to normal. IF you see any sign of Ich coming back decrease salinity again.

Doug

Justusfish · #13 03-07-2007, 12:10 PM

So my question is what do I do with the coral from the 50 gallon? Can I put them into the 210 or am I bring ich with them?

Reefer Rob · #14 03-07-2007, 04:10 PM

Why not leave the corals in your 50 gal on an egg crate rack, and get a cheep 20 gal to treat your fish. You'll need it later anyway for future quarantines and treatments.

Fresh water dips are risky and are not known to have any effect on cryptocaryon, they are burrowed into the skin and the slime on the fish protects them.

This is the method I always use for hyposalinity treatments. Be most carefully as you get down to the lower specific gravity. Almost all fish with respond to hypo salinity with increased vigour and a ravenous appetite. If the fish stop eating or show distress raise the salinity a bit. It is possible to kill fish with any treatment, that is why a lot of people just live with cryptocaryon.