Coral frags with fish parasites (ich) how likely?

[MVsea1]

So what are everyone’s thoughts on frags carrying fish parasites such as ich? Yes, I know they can’t host but could possibly carry eggs. I’m currently stocking fish exclusively from a quarantine LFS because I don’t have a quarantine setup. Of course the best method with be to dip all new frags and quarantine, but not feasible for me. Am I basically negating buying quarantined fish by risking non-quarantined frags? Or is the risk minimal? I could exclusively buy from my LFS but there are so many options out there for buying coral (WWC comes to mind), and I don’t want to miss out on some great frags. Thoughts?

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Many coral sellers grow their frags in fishless systems... you might ask those you buy from if the frags were ever exposed. If they were never with fish, they shouldn't have ich.

 

[vetteguy53081]

So what are everyone’s thoughts on frags carrying fish parasites such as ich? Yes, I know they can’t host but could possibly carry eggs. I’m currently stocking fish exclusively from a quarantine LFS because I don’t have a quarantine setup. Of course the best method with be to dip all new frags and quarantine, but not feasible for me. Am I basically negating buying quarantined fish by risking non-quarantined frags? Or is the risk minimal? I could exclusively buy from my LFS but there are so many options out there for buying coral (WWC comes to mind), and I don’t want to miss out on some great frags. Thoughts?

While there is a potential, this is the power of quarantine for your fish to eliminate the chance of protozoan transfer. Even with quarantined fish, you want to quarantine for 14-21 days and assume fish has something. Quarantine reduces chances of fish being infected but does not disqualify the fish from getting ill

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

While there is a potential, this is the power of quarantine for your fish to eliminate the chance of protozoan transfer. Even with quarantined fish, you want to quarantine for 14-21 days and assume fish has something. Quarantine reduces chances of fish being infected but does not disqualify the fish from getting ill

Huh? How does quarantining a fish for 14-21 days prevent a coral frag from bringing ich into the tank??

 

[Bpones]

Many coral sellers grow their frags in fishless systems... you might ask those you buy from if the frags were ever exposed. If they were never with fish, they shouldn't have ich.

I wouldn’t have thought of this. Great suggestion.
I’ve had concerns with snails, hermits, shrimp for the same issue OP is bringing up. Seems like a small amount of water Could have some parasite/pathogen. But it feels extreme to isolate a hermit for weeks and weeks to be sure.

 

[MVsea1]

Many coral sellers grow their frags in fishless systems... you might ask those you buy from if the frags were ever exposed. If they were never with fish, they shouldn't have ich.

Didn’t think of that , great idea thank you

 

[bushdoc]

I would not worry much about frags carrying ich, but they can carry other pests and without observing them in separate tank for few weeks, even dipping will not help much and may bring you some unwanted pests to your DT.
See my thread below:

Aiphtasia out of nowhere… or place I trust(ed)

I have 20 gal Frag tank, where I keep newly purchased frags. I was examining coral today to see if I can place it in DT in a week or two and then I discovered 2 sizeable Aiptasia anemones attached to frag plugs, one on top of plug, other under the (different) plug. I gently applied Kalk paste to...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[MVsea1]

I wouldn’t have thought of this. Great suggestion.
I’ve had concerns with snails, hermits, shrimp for the same issue OP is bringing up. Seems like a small amount of water Could have some parasite/pathogen. But it feels extreme to isolate a hermit for weeks and weeks to be sure.

Exactly, this is my dilemma. Is it really that much of a risk and worth the effort for snails, frags, etc. I’m thinking most people don’t put much thought into this..but I’m going through the effort to make sure my fish are coming in clean. Would hate to compromise that for something silly like bringing in a frag that could possibly have a fish disease. I guess my question is…is this super low risk and I’m overthinking it? Or should I be super picky about the frags I bring in. Either way I plan to dip all frags coming in regardless of source. (But I know that won’t eliminate risk of fish disease like ich for example)

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

While there is a potential, this is the power of quarantine for your fish to eliminate the chance of protozoan transfer. Even with quarantined fish, you want to quarantine for 14-21 days and assume fish has something. Quarantine reduces chances of fish being infected but does not disqualify the fish from getting ill

…Scratches head, goes back to football…

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

…Scratches head, goes back to football…

I think he used ChatGPT

 

[DJF]

Exactly, this is my dilemma. Is it really that much of a risk and worth the effort for snails, frags, etc. I’m thinking most people don’t put much thought into this..but I’m going through the effort to make sure my fish are coming in clean. Would hate to compromise that for something silly like bringing in a frag that could possibly have a fish disease. I guess my question is…is this super low risk and I’m overthinking it? Or should I be super picky about the frags I bring in. Either way I plan to dip all frags coming in regardless of source. (But I know that won’t eliminate risk of fish disease like ich for example)

You are not overthinking it; it’s funny to me when someone QTs their fish but then just pop & drops their clean up crew.

 

[Jay Hemdal]

So what are everyone’s thoughts on frags carrying fish parasites such as ich? Yes, I know they can’t host but could possibly carry eggs. I’m currently stocking fish exclusively from a quarantine LFS because I don’t have a quarantine setup. Of course the best method with be to dip all new frags and quarantine, but not feasible for me. Am I basically negating buying quarantined fish by risking non-quarantined frags? Or is the risk minimal? I could exclusively buy from my LFS but there are so many options out there for buying coral (WWC comes to mind), and I don’t want to miss out on some great frags. Thoughts?

As the others said, corals from fishless systems have a very low chance of bringing fish diseases into your tank. However, I've seen more than one LFS that uses their coral system sumps as sort of a holding spot for sick fish. Their idea is to put sick fish there in the vain hope that the better water quality of the coral rack will save them. Actually, all they do is create "Typhoid Mary" corals that go out and infect customers tanks!
Of course, the corals may also bring in coral pests/diseases.

It all boils down to biosecurity:

Biosecurity

A short introduction to aquarium biosecurity

www.reef2reef.com

Jay

 

[KStatefan]

It increases your risk.

Even if you purchases items from a fishless system if they had not been held there without new additions there is still the risk.

 

[MVsea1]

As the others said, corals from fishless systems have a very low chance of bringing fish diseases into your tank. However, I've seen more than one LFS that uses their coral system sumps as sort of a holding spot for sick fish. Their idea is to put sick fish there in the vain hope that the better water quality of the coral rack will save them. Actually, all they do is create "Typhoid Mary" corals that go out and infect customers tanks!
Of course, the corals may also bring in coral pests/diseases.

It all boils down to biosecurity:

Biosecurity

A short introduction to aquarium biosecurity

www.reef2reef.com

Jay

Great article, thank you Jay

 

[Stealthreefer]

So what are everyone’s thoughts on frags carrying fish parasites such as ich? Yes, I know they can’t host but could possibly carry eggs. I’m currently stocking fish exclusively from a quarantine LFS because I don’t have a quarantine setup. Of course the best method with be to dip all new frags and quarantine, but not feasible for me. Am I basically negating buying quarantined fish by risking non-quarantined frags? Or is the risk minimal? I could exclusively buy from my LFS but there are so many options out there for buying coral (WWC comes to mind), and I don’t want to miss out on some great frags. Thoughts?

My perspective:
Everything had cysts on it that could potentially turn into a bad thing for my fish.
My job is to keep their health and immune systems working to keep any illnesses from becoming a problem. I worry about proactive fish health, not counting on purchases being sterile.

 

[brandon429]

Nobody can answer that

It's an all or nothing choice

You're either choosing complete fallow of all entrants or you're choosing risk, nobody can define the %

Its a matter of will cut corners and hope for best vs not

 

[MVsea1]

My perspective:
Everything had cysts on it that could potentially turn into a bad thing for my fish.
My job is to keep their health and immune systems working to keep any illnesses from becoming a problem. I worry about proactive fish health, not counting on purchases being sterile.

Yeah I hear you. I struggled with the decision when I was first starting my tank if I was going to go the disease management route or full on quarantine procedures for everything. It does help that I have a great LFS that does full quarantine for everything (humblefish method), so taking advantage of that was a no brainer. But I am limited to the selection of coral they have at the shop which is why I asked the question and was tempted by online coral retailers like WWC, tidal gardens, etc. Seems like it’s low risk for fish diseases but I’m thinking if I’ve come this far I’ll stay strong.