Sailfin tang ich?

Why does Ich have to be in everyone's tank?

 

It doesn't have to be, but let's be honest - it's in pretty much everyone's tank at the hobbyist level.

 

I'm clarifying the statment... that's how confusion is created. Some things we don't know... and these are the things we debate about. Then there are other things that are "knowns" and proven fact about Ich. The whole topic is gray... just some things.

Fact #1: Your tank does not have to have Ich in it.

 

Well, I know there's no ich in my tank; that's a freshwater disease!

In all seriousness, I have a firefish with a bit on him as we speak, so I know there's crypto in my tank.

 

I can't find the link but there was some on here talking about ich and how if they can pull through it they gain some "immunity" to the disease... Or more like a better ability to fight it. I have it in my tank... It's never killed anything, I just try to keep them healthy enough to fight it when it comes. My angel is most prone but never has signs for more than a week before he kicks it. I realize it may still be there but he is only affected physically and mentally for a few days before the spots disappear. I find it almost pointless to run hypo or to try to kill it when it's likely a new fish will restart the process. I think keeping the fish healthy is the main idea. Even while running a QT it is possible to miss the disease and reintroduce it to the tank.

Sorry I can't find the link.

EDIT: I think I should clarify these are only my opinions and what works for me. I realize some swear by hypo and other treatments... But this works for me. Also, by 'physically and mentally' I mean the spots disappear, the fish stops rubbing and acting finicky and resumes general swimming and playing habits as I have noticed to be usual

 

Ich is a Common Name, hence it doesn't need to be scientifically correct, just what is commonly used. Think of all the super common names of corals and fish that have absolutely nothing to do with the scientific name, yet is widely accepted as the common name.

 

One problem with reaccurance is the damage it does to the gill filaments with each exposure. This causes scarring so the gills are not able to function as well in time. I figure I've shaved a few good years off my volitans life by him having it 4 times.

 

Also a very good thing to take into account. My process is definitely not without it's disadvantages but for me it beats having to run a qt with hypo often, or trying to run hypo in the dt and qt'ing the inverts and what not.

 

Depends on the worth of the fish, I guess.

 

Good point! I think if I had some of the amazing and exotic fish you have I would probably do hypo now that I think about it.