Are some fish simply immune to ick?

[teetee]

I recently had an ick outbreak/disater in my semi reef. I lost most of my fish (tang, anthias, dottyback, cuban hog...). There are, however, two survivors, a yellow corris wrasse and a scissortail hogfish. The corris never even had one dot on it, while the scissortail did but was able to fight it off. It has been a week since the ick killed my last fish. I understand that the ick protozoan has a 4-6 week cycle before it dies off. Will they die off even though two fish remain, but seem to be immune?. I tried to catch the remaing fish, but to no avail. Too many hiding places. If after six weeks the remaing duo still are unaffected, is it safe to reintroduce fish? That is after proper quarantine procudures.

 

[beth]

Ick will remain in your tank as long as there are fish. Ick that hit your fish the first time and left 2 suvivers will likely cycle into a stronger strain the next time around.
Feed your fish garlic soaked food and do not add any more fish to your tank for some time. If you don't have a UV sterilizer, think about getting one.

 

[teetee]

Thanks Beth for your help. I have a friend who might be able to give me a uv sterliizer, so I will use it. When you say do not introduce any fish for a while, just how long is that while?

 

[beth]

Not removing the fish and actually treating them and leaving your main tank dorminant is going to be risky business, which is why I didn't say how long.
But, if you insist....at least 3 mos after there is no sign of ick. And if you have a UV.
Good luck!
[ October 23, 2001: Message edited by: Beth ]

 

[teetee]

Got it! Thanks folks. Essentially either the fish come out & the tank remains fishless for six weeks, or no new fish.
I don't know how I am going to get these fish out other than dismantling the whole system. That I can not bear to do. Just let nature take its course? That seems harsh aswell. TT.

 

[pufferlover]

In response to your question from my experience you are right in the fact that the yellow coris (banana wrasse- 4 spot wrasse all the same fish) is hardy beyond belief. I have posted before about the one I had that survived 4 tank wipe outs and never missed a beat That fish was like a timex (it just kept ticking). Also, Hogfish are considered by many to be one of the hardiest fish you can get (have 3 myself and love them for motion, color, and good looks). If I were you when it comes time to try another fish in your system I would do just one and see what happens within a 2 to 3 week period. I did it that way once with the coris and the new fish did fine and I started to re stock with no problems thereafter. As far as my yellow after having it for a few years I finally gave it to a friend so I could start a different style tank where it was living (and it is still doing fine at last report).

 

[teetee]

Interesting to hear about your yellow coris, Pufferlover. A virtual indestructable character! Geez, I feel as if I have two Typhoid Mary's in my tank. I really wanted to replace the Tang, but that will have to wait. Oh well....