PeterDolan
New Member
Hello all,
I recently read two interesting things:
* in FISH DISEASE - Diagnosis and Treatment, it's noted that Ich cannot complete its lifecycle at temperatures greater than 30*C / 86*F. The lifecycle is completed in 3-7 days at 25*C (and completes more quickly at higher temperatures), so I believe keeping the tank at 31*C for 7 days would effectively eliminate Ich.
* in a recent article titled "Adapt, move or die – how will tropical coral reef fishes cope with ocean warming?" (http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/gcb.13488/abstract), it's noted that Chromis Virids preferred to move from 31*C to 29*C temperatures, but was able to tolerate 31*C temperatures.
I wasn't able to get any clear information on mortality rates at these higher temperatures, other than a suggestion that they can tolerate it but preferentially move to lower temperature water.
So here's an interesting question: would it be effective to prophylactically treat Chromis Virids for Ich on intake in a quarantine tank by gradually raising the temperature to 31*C, holding it for a week, then gradually lowering it to their normal temperature of 26*C? Obviously this would require both a calibrated thermometer and a fairly accurate temperature controller with good circulation. Obviously also one would need to consider research on temperature tolerance for other species before applying this approach.
And most importantly, would this be more or less stressful to the fish than the tank transfer method?
How would this affect the cycling of the quarantine tank? Would it be possible to set up a fully cycled quarantine tank, and avoid medications that would interrupt the cycle?
Thanks!
Peter
I recently read two interesting things:
* in FISH DISEASE - Diagnosis and Treatment, it's noted that Ich cannot complete its lifecycle at temperatures greater than 30*C / 86*F. The lifecycle is completed in 3-7 days at 25*C (and completes more quickly at higher temperatures), so I believe keeping the tank at 31*C for 7 days would effectively eliminate Ich.
* in a recent article titled "Adapt, move or die – how will tropical coral reef fishes cope with ocean warming?" (http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/gcb.13488/abstract), it's noted that Chromis Virids preferred to move from 31*C to 29*C temperatures, but was able to tolerate 31*C temperatures.
I wasn't able to get any clear information on mortality rates at these higher temperatures, other than a suggestion that they can tolerate it but preferentially move to lower temperature water.
So here's an interesting question: would it be effective to prophylactically treat Chromis Virids for Ich on intake in a quarantine tank by gradually raising the temperature to 31*C, holding it for a week, then gradually lowering it to their normal temperature of 26*C? Obviously this would require both a calibrated thermometer and a fairly accurate temperature controller with good circulation. Obviously also one would need to consider research on temperature tolerance for other species before applying this approach.
And most importantly, would this be more or less stressful to the fish than the tank transfer method?
How would this affect the cycling of the quarantine tank? Would it be possible to set up a fully cycled quarantine tank, and avoid medications that would interrupt the cycle?
Thanks!
Peter
