Black Molly question (re: Ich and Velvet)

[JumboShrimp]

Let’s say, hypothetically, that after being fallow for 45 days, or even 60 days, a person wanted to go the ‘Black Molly’ route to see whether things were in-the-clear from Ich or Marine Velvet. (Think of this as ‘cheating’ if a person did not want to wait the full 76 days.) Suppose, further, that a few days or a week down the line shows that the Molly is now infected. Hasn’t one just shot themselves in the foot by providing a host-fish, which in turn re-sets the entire fallow-clock... as opposed to having waited the full 76 days without attempting the Black Molly test?... Meaning if the Black Molly test comes back negative, Great. If it comes back positive, Terrible. Actually much ‘Worse’ than had one just been more patient. Thoughts? Thanks!

 

[ndrwater]

It's 76 days for a reason. Adding a host resets the clock...
And... The signs may not appear right away as the visible portion of the disease is near the end stage of the parasites life cycle

 

[4FordFamily]

Let’s say, hypothetically, that after being fallow for 45 days, or even 60 days, a person wanted to go the ‘Black Molly’ route to see whether things were in-the-clear from Ich or Marine Velvet. (Think of this as ‘cheating’ if a person did not want to wait the full 76 days.) Suppose, further, that a few days or a week down the line shows that the Molly is now infected. Hasn’t one just shot themselves in the foot by providing a host-fish, which in turn re-sets the entire fallow-clock... as opposed to having waited the full 76 days without attempting the Black Molly test?... Meaning if the Black Molly test comes back negative, Great. If it comes back positive, Terrible. Actually much ‘Worse’ than had one just been more patient. Thoughts? Thanks!

Yes a host completes the cycle now one must wait 76 days again. Black mollys are used to check your work, not check to see if lesser time works, typically

 

[JumboShrimp]

Thank you both— that makes total sense. And thank you for such a speedy reply!

 

[TrishK]

I know this is an old post but I had a similar question. Isn’t the velvet only a real issue when the Tomont drop off the fish? If you get the fish out before that happens couldn’t you resume where you left off (waiting)? Just curious...we don’t even know if what our fish had WAS velvet as he’s the only one that got covered in gray slime looking stuff and died. We are on day 50