Beth: Question about ICK

[simm]

If you have a tank that is hostless ick will die off. Now you go buy a new fish and QT him first for a few weeks then you acclimate him into your main tank. Can you still get ick in the main tank? Does ick just grow on fish, LR and so on or does it only get into your tank by transporting it from a host? I know this is why we QT but what other way can ick get into your tank? Dormant in new LR we buy?

 

[beth]

It can come in on substrate, live rock, etc., that have been exposed to fish who have ich. The host is the fish, but ich has a 3 stage process, two of the stages the parasite is actually not attached to fish, and could land on your LR, sand, or even be in the water. Thus, you should never acclimate new fish or other marine animals that have been in the same tank as fish by letting any of the bag water enter your tank. Its ok in the QT but not in your display tank.
In the absence of fish, any ich on rocks, etc., will die off 4-6 wks. If you acquire LR from a tank that has had fish in it, best to QT the LR if you have fish in your tank or plan to acquire fish in less than a month. However, usually LR is placed in its own tank at retailers. Some stores share filtration systems, however. If in doubt, ask the LFS.