Hyposalinity treatment for Ick

[rk4435]

I decided to go with hypo treatment for two new fish that had obvious signs of Ick on Sunday. It has taken me since Sunday to get the salinity down to the recommended level, of course there is not a sign of Ick now.

For those of you that have tried hypo treatment, how long did you keep the fish at the lower salinity? The fish involved are a Powder Brown Tang and a Blue Throat Trigger.

 

[jennm]

The bigger question is, do you still have fish in the display? If you do, even if you don't see the ich, it's still completing its life cycle using the fish that remain.

The best way to mitigate your risk of re-infestation is to leave the display fishless for at least 30 days (some say more, depending on a few variables including temperature).

The ich needs a host to nourish its eggs and reproduce. No fish = no nourishment for the next generation.

In *theory* that should totally rid the system of ich (and if you can break the life cycle of the ich on the fish in treatment at the same time...)

In reality, I've seen systems become re-infested even with meticulous protocols, so while in theory that should get rid of it completely, it doesn't always, in the real world.

Here's some reading:

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fa164">http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fa164</a>

[IMG]http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-08/sp/">http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-08/sp/</a>

Jenn

 

[the curious]

As always, Jenn knows what she is talking about :thumbs:.

I have never used meds or hyposalinity for treatment of ich, not saying they don't work, but I believe they stress the fish out more than is necessary. The tank transfer method has done me well, without over stressing my fish. Jenn is right though, you need to leave the DT fishless for at least 30 days, and transfer tanks at least 4 times.

 

[jennm]

I've known one person who did the tank transfer method. It's a lot of work. I'm not sure of his results, but it makes logical sense. It can cause quite a bit of stress though.

Usually it's not the ich that kills a fish, it's the secondary bacterial infection that does. So keeping the fish well fed and in clean water is at least as important as the method to cure the parasite.

Jenn

 

[cedzaquaddiction]

Jenn has good advice!!! If you stick to hypo, do it for 4 weeks minimum. Also, remember that just because you don't see any ich, doesn't mean it's gone.

Also: If your DT still has ich or fish that are hosting ich (even if you can't see it), your BPT and BT are at risk of getting re-infected when they re-enter the DT.

Also: Make sure you keep the hypo tank very well oxygenated, and change the filter media daily to keep water quality up and remove any cysts that are trapped in the media...

Best of Luck!!!

 

[rk4435]

Thanks for the advise guys. The hypo seemed to be going well until today. Both fish are now covered in spots that appear to be ick. They have been at the lower salinity since Thursday night. I don't know if it means that the ick is fleeing the host (seems unlikely) or if they are in fact infected with something else.

Both are still eating (metro, focus and garlic guard included) and very active. I obviously have some reading to do to figure this one out.

Edit: Btw way Jenn, the fish are not in the display. I have them in an old tank that I was breaking down, it is set up as a qt now with no rock or sand.

 

[stacy22]

Cryptocaryon</em> can remain viable in salinities lower than the typical hypo conditions. Most fish experts do not consider it a true cure for this reason.

 

[cedzaquaddiction]

Its also important to ensure the salinity level remains low if you choose to stick with this solution. Small evaporation levels will raise the salinity making it possible for the ich to survive.

Also remember that just because you don't see the ich doesn't mean that it is cured. There are stages with in the lifecycle in which it is not visible, but still there...

Best of luck!!!

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

 

[cedzaquaddiction]

BTW: kudos to you for getting them out of the DT and into a separate QT. Are there any other fish remaining in the DT? They may need treatment too (even if they aren't showing ich, they can still be hosting it and your QT fish will be re-exposed when they return to the DT.).

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[rk4435]

Thanks for the feedback guys. No fish in the DT are showing signs of Ick. I have been feeding them the Metro / Focus / and Garlic Guard solution as well.

Sadly, my Powder Brown is on the bottom of the tank with labored breathing. It also appears as if the gills are enflamed. The Trigger is still active and eating. I assume that I will have to pull the Tang this evening in the hope that the Trigger will make it.

I was certain the Hyposalinity was the fix based on scholarly articles. I am now ten months in to the SW side of this hobby and have yet to successfully keep a fish alive in isolation.