Can ICH live on hermit crabs/snails and corals?

[67RedDonzi]

Ok so all of my fish have now died from ich. ( well that and the fact that my heater gave out) I am going to let my tank stay fallow for a while but I want to know if ich can still live on the hermit crabs, snails, and corals that I have in my tank?

also if the ich doesn't live on corals, can I work on adding more coral to my tank while I wait to be able to add more fish?

I am starting to set up my QT tank for future fish purchases

 

[oscarinw]

Ich cannot reproduce without fish. The total length of the Ich parasite is about 5-6 weeks in total so its best to leave it fallow for 7-9 weeks before adding new fish. Just make sure you don't add new fish that come with the parasite. In other words, quarantine.
As for the other question, yes, you may add corals in the meantime. However, it is possible although unlikely that you add tomites (?) (dormant, egg phase of 'ich') on a rock where the coral comes and then you reset the fallow time.
Best is to always quarantine everything 2 solid months. I even treat with copper when there are no known sensibilities from the species just in case.
Good luck!

 

[Jlobes]

while ich does not "live" on hermits, snails, or coral...it can be introduced to a closed system(aquarium) through the introduction of any contaminated foreign water. This is why it is best to QT "everything", including corals, CUC, fish and any new additions. while the chances may be small at best, if you have invested a serious amount of time and money into your tank, there is no reason to take the risk. A QT is fairly easy to set up and get running when you need it. HTH

 

[ks_reeftank]

I once introduced ich by adding 2 skunk shrimp. So if u have no fish go ahead and add coral or inverts. Then wait 8 or 9 weeks to add fish. But qt future fish before adding. I use cupramine. Also after the cupramine I usually soak some shrimp in prazi pro and feed a few times to make sure no internal parasite. But I dont do both at same time. +1 on treating even if not showing symtoms

 

[67RedDonzi]

Thank you so much for the replies so far. I definitely plan on quarantining everything from now on, I do not want to go through this again!

When I set up my QT tank, do I need to let it cycle before I actually put the first fish in there to quarantine it? If so, how long?

Out of curiosity..I heard that if you raised the tank to over 85 degrees that the ich would cycle faster and be gone in 2-4 weeks. Is this true?

 

[tyler1503]

When I set up my QT tank, do I need to let it cycle before I actually put the first fish in there to quarantine it? If so, how

I actually asked this very same question not too long ago
Just get some filter media (floss, ceramic noodles, whatever) and put it in a media bag and float it in your sump or DT. When you set up the QT use a HOB filter and put the media in it and put a new lot of media in a new bag and float in your DT/sump. While it was floting in your tank the good bacteria colonised it. When your done with the QT throw away the media and start again. Just remember to never reuse the media. You don't want copper or anything leaching back into your DT.

 

[ReefFrenzy]

Ich cannot reproduce without fish. The total length of the Ich parasite is about 5-6 weeks in total so its best to leave it fallow for 7-9 weeks before adding new fish. Just make sure you don't add new fish that come with the parasite. In other words, quarantine.
As for the other question, yes, you may add corals in the meantime. However, it is possible although unlikely that you add tomites (?) (dormant, egg phase of 'ich') on a rock where the coral comes and then you reset the fallow time.
Best is to always quarantine everything 2 solid months. I even treat with copper when there are no known sensibilities from the species just in case.
Good luck!

+1^^

It is so pleasing to read an answer to a question regarding Ich that is 100% accurate, verses the misinformation out there.

Our 180 FOWLR had to be "rebooted" and run fallow for 9 weeks after a major outbreak. Since the survivors were treated with cupramine and all new fish were treated, we have not had a single spot of Ich show up since, and that was almost 2 years ago. With that said we have not added a single fish, invert, rock or macro algae since. We use separate tools for maintenance as well.

People say "all tanks have ich" and that is simply untrue. The parasite has a documented lifecycle and known methods of eradication. Due diligence from the beginning can ensure a long time of enjoyment and not having to fret about "white spots" coming and going.

Larry

 

[67RedDonzi]

Thank everyone for all the info. Went to my local pet store today to grab some salt and a filter for the new qt tank. Do I need to have any special lighting for a qt tank?

 

[Genesis Corals]

While Ich cannot reproduce without fish and will die, I personally believe that Ich can be attached to Inverts, corals, etc. If they can attach to rocks and substrate, they can attach to anything. Just my thought on this matter.

 

[Kebbiejo]

1. All fish removed from display tank, and into hospital tank. Will ick be gone in 76 days even though snails and shrimp are still in DT?
2. Should I have buckets of water dosed up to 2.0ppm copper powe, ready in case I have to do a water change? Water change would momentarily lower copper level. Thanks .

 

[loydy1166]

Ok so all of my fish have now died from ich. ( well that and the fact that my heater gave out) I am going to let my tank stay fallow for a while but I want to know if ich can still live on the hermit crabs, snails, and corals that I have in my tank?

also if the ich doesn't live on corals, can I work on adding more coral to my tank while I wait to be able to add more fish?

I am starting to set up my QT tank for future fish purchases

While Ich cannot reproduce without fish and will die, I personally believe that Ich can be attached to Inverts, corals, etc. If they can attach to rocks and substrate, they can attach to anything. Just my thought on this matter.

Would this be same for flukes in your opinion can they live on inverts and shrimp after fish have all gone