Ich...qt.....hyposalinity

I want a yellow tang in my 75g fowlr. Since my tank is currently ich-free, and tangs are prone to ich, would it be a bad idea to start the tang; or any new fish, in the QT w/ hyposalinity treatment? If ich can't survive hyposalinity, and fish can, wouldn't it make sense to "kill off" the disease from the jump(even if it may not exist, or be evident). I'm sure there will be some level of stress, but the move from the store is probably worse; so another 6 wks of 'lesser' to no stress, in order to ensure the health of the DT, seems reasonable. Anyones take?

 

Sounds logical but the change of scenery from QT to DT can still be enough to give a tang ich. I wouldn't necessarily do the hyper salinity. Just QT it and feed it vitamin and garlic rich foods. Most tangs who get stress ich will clear up if there nutrition is good.

 

See, i was under the impression through extensive reading of articles and forums, that once a fish is rid of ich, it can't simply arise from nowhere. W/ that being said, if a fish is treated w/ hyposalinity, killing the ich, and ultimately out into the DT; how can ich be re-intoduced . . . unless by the later addition of an infected fish. I mean, i understand that tangs are very ich proned, especially when stressed, but if ich isnt present in the system, and it killed of w/ treatment prior to entering the system, how is it possible (stress or no stress) for ich to arise? Thanks

 

I think you mean HYPOsalinity (lower than normal salinity). I don't agree with what you've said. Although symptoms may leave, the tang will still have Ich, and Ich will still be present in the tank. Nutrition does not cure ich.

You're right. If the DT is free of ich (only way to be sure is to go fishless for 8 weeks), and newly introduced fish are free of ich (only able to tell if you quarantine for several weeks and look for symptoms), then you will never introduce ich into your tank. Although keep in mind ANY addition can potentially carry ich, even a wet net from an infected tank, a used bucket that was used on an infected tank, coral, live sand, live rock, etc.

Ich doesn't "arise" out of nowhere, it's usually introduced somehow, and the symptoms only appear when the fish's immune system lowers due to stress, or any other factor.

 

I have to figure a way around the net thing....surely, ich can't survive outside of water.. when my net or other tools are stored.....can ich live on the CUC...snails n crabs n such? I had a puffer who became infected. he's in QT under hyposalinity... he'll stay there for about 8wks... he's my only fish...but i have CUC....so should i hypo my DT to ensure ich wont be present on my crew?

 

Ich can only live on fish. No need to do hypo on your DT, just let it go fishless for 8 weeks and the Ich will run its life cycle and die without finding a fish. Cross contamination is VERY easy. I kept my nets soaked in a formalin solution. Just run it under some water before using.

 

We are talking about a FOWLR? I would personally just acclimatise as normal, should the tang break out with Ich (which they normally do) just treat with copper.

 

The whole idea, phoenix, is to keep it from ever getting into my DT. I can ensure this by treating fish--especially, the ich-proned tang in the QT(whether they show signs or not), with hyposalinity..... I opt for hyop during the entire QT process as a precaution, mostly.
I read that copper treatment is very stressful on fish.... Also, it isn't ncessary to treat until there is an outbreak....correct? Plus, if the fish is never stressed enough in the QT phase, but does indeed carry ich, I wouldn't feel the need to use copper; and would eventually put it in the DT--hence, infecting my tank. So, my orginial question: is it a BAD idea to use hyposalinity during the entire QT phase w/ every fish--especially a tang, as a precaution?

 

I agree with where you're coming from..if it's not in your system..why risk it..QT the tang for a few weeks..if you want to do hypo..why not..it won't hurt the fish..you don't really have anything to lose

 

I'm confused, Isn't Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifilis) always present in a system? And it can only host the fish if the fish's defenses are low; poor nutrition, stress etc?

I disagree with hypo salinity because if the salinity is dropped anywhere below 1.020, it will stress your fish to the point where it will develop ich.
Also, how are you going to acclimate the fish into hypo then back to regular? Unless you plan on dripping for at least 3-4hours each time you move it... maybe even longer.

The organism Ichthyophthirius multifilis or Ich, Survives in both fresh and saltwater.

I would look for the obvious signs at the LFS, is the fish eating well, Breathing regularly, Swiming regularly. If the fish has no signs of stress or disease, then you buy it and QT it as you would any other fish.

Yellow tangs aren't very Ich prone IME, The Hippo tangs are.

I may be wrong but it's just my opinion.
cheers