converting freshwater tank to salt

pegasus

pegasus

Well-Known Member
According to SWF's specs, either of those tangs are suitable for your tank. Some sites recommend larger tanks and some sites suggest they can go in smaller tanks, so it depends on who you ask. I don't see any reason you can't keep either of these tangs as long as they're well fed. I would HIGHLY recommend getting at least one skunk cleaner shrimp, as tangs don't secret mucus (protective coating) which makes them easily susceptible to ick, parasites, etc. Not only do the shrimp perform an important service, it's cool to watch... lol!
 
mauler

mauler

Active Member
Would the shrimp last cause I'm also planning to get a trigger and snowflake eel and how often do tangs get ick?
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by mauler http:///t/397664/converting-freshwater-tank-to-salt/260#post_3548399
Would the shrimp last cause I'm also planning to get a trigger and snowflake eel and how often do tangs get ick?


Hi,

I can only address the ich issue... ich is a parasite, not a disease. Tangs are easily stressed, and stressed fish are more susceptible to being overcome by an infestation. If the parasite is not present, the fish can't get it no matter how stressed they are... they my succumb to other diseases, such as HALLI. Stress is a killer.

Always using a quarantine tank for new critters is smart. Once the parasite is introduced into the system, the only way to be rid of it, is to remove all fish from the display, and wait 6 to 8 weeks for the parasite to die off without a host. A quarantine of 4 weeks to be sure you only introduce healthy fish into your display, will save you so much grief and heart ache.

Most folks don't have another large tank to move ALL of their fish to for the 8 weeks it takes to be rid of ich. Then the hospital tank doesn't have the live rock and sand...which makes keeping the parameters stable, very difficult. All that hassle could be avoided just by being a little patient, and quarantining one fish at a time and watching it for any signs of disease or parasites for 4 weeks. It's also so much easier to treat a sick fish in a QT.
 
pegasus

pegasus

Well-Known Member
Thanks for the explanation, Flower. It should be pointed out that Ick can also be introduced into the system by adding corals or live rock. Theronts (or Tomites) is the stage of Ick where the parasite is attached to a substrate surface and is multiplying. When the Theront capsule bursts, hundreds of cells are released, searching for a host (fish). This process can last up to a week. The point is... an infected fish isn't the only way for Ick to show up in your tank. I suggested the cleaner shrimp as the do more than remove Ick... they also remove other parasites and dead tissue, preventing infection from something as simple as a rock scrape. However, the shrimp probably won't last long with a trigger or snowflake eel. Choose your tank-mates wisely.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pegasus http:///t/397664/converting-freshwater-tank-to-salt/260#post_3548406
Thanks for the explanation, Flower. It should be pointed out that Ick can also be introduced into the system by adding corals or live rock. Theronts (or Tomites) is the stage of Ick where the parasite is attached to a substrate surface and is multiplying. When the Theront capsule bursts, hundreds of cells are released, searching for a host (fish). This process can last up to a week. The point is... an infected fish isn't the only way for Ick to show up in your tank. I suggested the cleaner shrimp as the do more than remove Ick... they also remove other parasites and dead tissue, preventing infection from something as simple as a rock scrape. However, the shrimp probably won't last long with a trigger or snowflake eel. Choose your tank-mates wisely.

Pegasus, I know you already know this but I fear mauler may have the wrong impression....A cleaner shrimp is not a cure nor prevention of an ich infestation.... They may eat a few from the fish's gills granting them some relief, so they do not remove ich from your tank, so there is no way for them to be able to prevent ich from taking over a tank. I did say ANY critter, and corals are in that category. Live rock is usually added first, then the tank goes through the first cycle, which takes weeks, after all of that there is no fear of the ich parasite being in the live rock.

The only concern with live rock would be if you added the rock later after the tank is established.
 
pegasus

pegasus

Well-Known Member
I didn't say "cure", but they offer great relief by tremendously reducing (or eliminating) Ick from tang's skin. Not only do they clean the gills, they also clean inside the mouth and entire body... often "hitching a ride" as they're searching for snacks. I know this because I've witnessed it on a daily basis for well over a year. Tangs will actively seek out the shrimp just for this purpose. My Angel and clowns use the shrimp, also. Not a cure, but very beneficial...
 
pegasus

pegasus

Well-Known Member

Pegasus, I know you already know this but I fear mauler may have the wrong impression....A cleaner shrimp is not a cure nor prevention of an ich infestation
The only concern with live rock would be if you added the rock later after the tank is established.
Exactly.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pegasus http:///t/397664/converting-freshwater-tank-to-salt/260#post_3548408
I didn't say "cure", but they offer great relief by tremendously reducing (or eliminating) Ick from tang's skin. Not only do they clean the gills, they also clean inside the mouth and entire body... often "hitching a ride" as they're searching for snacks. I know this because I've witnessed it on a daily basis for well over a year. Tangs will actively seek out the shrimp just for this purpose. My Angel and clowns use the shrimp, also. Not a cure, but very beneficial...

LOL...UMMM...Isn't that the same thing I said? They offer relief for the poor fish, but a cleaner shrimp is not a cure. I like cleaner shrimp, but I don't understand why you seem to be correcting me... we are saying the same thing...aren't we?
 
pegasus

pegasus

Well-Known Member
I have a sinus infection and a terrible headache, and it seems like I'm chasing my tail all over the place. Not thinking too clearly this morning. Yes, we're basically saying the same thing. I wasn't being clear when I mentioned introducing Ick to the tank by adding live rock, or even corals, AFTER the tank was established. Chances are slim, but very possible. Tangs have skin problems, and cleaner shrimp will help keep it cleared up. That's pretty much it in a nutshell...
 
mauler

mauler

Active Member
Alright so I understand that the shrimp isn't a ick miracle worker and I'm sure I can even get one cause I do want a trigger and snowflake eel I read about a cleaner wrasse does he do the same as the shrimp? And how common is ick with tangs are there any factors that increase of decrease the chance of ick?
 
pegasus

pegasus

Well-Known Member
Ick has to present for it to cause an outbreak. No Ick, no problem. IF Ick makes it into the tank, a tang will most likely contract it. Healthy fish tend to repel it better, but that's not guaranteed. Stressed or unhealthy fish are much more likely to become infected as their defenses are weakened. If your "quarantined" tang doesn't show signs of Ick after a couple of weeks, it should be okay.
 
silverado61

silverado61

Well-Known Member
Cleaner shrimp and eels can coexsist. Check out NatGeo Wild. Shrimp keep their teeth clean and even go inside their mouth for bits of food.
 
mauler

mauler

Active Member
Yeah but wouldn't the trigger snack on him and how well would a bursa and Picasso trigger do together?
 
pegasus

pegasus

Well-Known Member
Is a QT tank the only way to tell if there's ick present?No, but it's better to find it in the QT where it's easier to treat one fish, than to find it in your main display after it has infected all the fish. You CAN treat the DT, but most of us prefer to keep chemicals out of our display tanks.
 
mauler

mauler

Active Member
Anything can work as QT tank right? And also what about the triggers is it possible to have bursa and a Picasso trigger together
 
pegasus

pegasus

Well-Known Member
Anything can work as QT tank right? And also what about the triggers is it possible to have bursa and a Picasso trigger togetherYes. No.
 
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