Moray Eel and Cat Shark Ich

[Tom1234]

Good morning,

I realized I posted this in the wrong topic, so wanted to repost in here. I recently noticed that there is ich on my trigger and grouper. The tank (300 gallons) has only been up and running for about 8 months, and so far the only inhabitants are the trigger, grouper, a banana eel and a banded cat shark. I am removing the grouper and the trigger and treating in copper power. My question is if I do not plan on putting the fish back in the tank, do I need to treat for ich still? From what I read online, eels and sharks are mostly immune to the effects of ich, but can still be a carrier. If I plan on only doing sharks and eels in my tank in the future, would they be negatively affected by the presence of ich, or remain unaffected? The shark is still eating like a pig and the eel will eat every week or so (typical eel hunger strikes).

Thank you!

 

[vetteguy53081]

Good morning,

I realized I posted this in the wrong topic, so wanted to repost in here. I recently noticed that there is ich on my trigger and grouper. The tank (300 gallons) has only been up and running for about 8 months, and so far the only inhabitants are the trigger, grouper, a banana eel and a banded cat shark. I am removing the grouper and the trigger and treating in copper power. My question is if I do not plan on putting the fish back in the tank, do I need to treat for ich still? From what I read online, eels and sharks are mostly immune to the effects of ich, but can still be a carrier. If I plan on only doing sharks and eels in my tank in the future, would they be negatively affected by the presence of ich, or remain unaffected? The shark is still eating like a pig and the eel will eat every week or so (typical eel hunger strikes).

Thank you!

They are not immune but rather resistant. If no signs, they can remain in display for now but observe daily. A safer treatment for ich with shark and the eel would be Chloroquine Phosphate at 10 mg per useable gallon for 30 days with added aeration using airstone.
For the trigger and grouper, your options are hyposalinity (1.009) or coppersafe for a full 30 days , not interrupting this 30 day period with added air stone treated at 2.25-2.5ppm and monitored with a Hanna brand copper test kit

 

[Tom1234]

They are not immune but rather resistant. If no signs, they can remain in display for now but observe daily. A safer treatment for ich with shark and the eel would be Chloroquine Phosphate at 10 mg per useable gallon for 30 days with added aeration using airstone.
For the trigger and grouper, your options are hyposalinity (1.009) or coppersafe for a full 30 days , not interrupting this 30 day period with added air stone treated at 2.25-2.5ppm and monitored with a Hanna brand copper test kit

But if end up moving into the direction of having a species only tank of shark and eels, would I need to treat the shark and eel still? Or if they are resistant, will it not matter if ich is present?

 

[vetteguy53081]

But if end up moving into the direction of having a species only tank of shark and eels, would I need to treat the shark and eel still? Or if they are resistant, will it not matter if ich is present?

Resistant does not disqualify ability for them to get ich but rather a reduced chance. Have chloroquine on hand should the need arise to treat..... Its in better terms, be prepared in case.3
We'll have @Jay Hemdal who works with sharks at an aquarium

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

But if end up moving into the direction of having a species only tank of shark and eels, would I need to treat the shark and eel still? Or if they are resistant, will it not matter if ich is present?

Sharks are more resistant to ich than eels are. However, you can’t use hyposalinity or copper on sharks.
Eels do best in hypo, but also do ok with Coppersafe if eating well going in. Sounds like your eel isn’t.

Chloroquine in the tank is another option:

Aquarium Fish: Chloroquine: A “New” Drug for Treating Fish Diseases

While not a panacea or miracle drug, chloroquine is experiencing resurgence in popularity for use in fish-only aquariums and quarantine systems to treat a variety of problems ranging from Cryptocaryon to Aiptasia anemone infestations.

reefs.com

If you never put anything but sharks rays or eels in that tank, you could get away with no treatment.

 

[Tom1234]

Sharks are more resistant to ich than eels are. However, you can’t use hyposalinity or copper on sharks.
Eels do best in hypo, but also do ok with Coppersafe if eating well going in. Sounds like your eel isn’t.

Chloroquine in the tank is another option:

Aquarium Fish: Chloroquine: A “New” Drug for Treating Fish Diseases

While not a panacea or miracle drug, chloroquine is experiencing resurgence in popularity for use in fish-only aquariums and quarantine systems to treat a variety of problems ranging from Cryptocaryon to Aiptasia anemone infestations.

reefs.com

If you never put anything but sharks rays or eels in that tank, you could get away with no treatment.

I’ve had my eye on a dragon moray for a few years now. You think I could get away with no treatment if I just do the banded cat shark, banana eel and introduce a dragon moray?

Thank you again!

 

[vetteguy53081]

I’ve had my eye on a dragon moray for a few years now. You think I could get away with no treatment if I just do the banded cat shark, banana eel and introduce a dragon moray?

Thank you again!

Thats a maybe. I often recommend quarantine /observation for 4 weeks to assure they are doing well as if something pops up, will be easier to treat the observation tank opposed to display tank

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I’ve had my eye on a dragon moray for a few years now. You think I could get away with no treatment if I just do the banded cat shark, banana eel and introduce a dragon moray?

Thank you again!

Probably be ok, but eels carry their own diseases, so you’d want to quarantine any new eels.
The big issue with dragon morays is that now that Hawaii is closed, you can only get them from Japan. Those aren’t as colorful. I’ve also had issues getting them to feed at first.

 

[Tom1234]

Probably be ok, but eels carry their own diseases, so you’d want to quarantine any new eels.
The big issue with dragon morays is that now that Hawaii is closed, you can only get them from Japan. Those aren’t as colorful. I’ve also had issues getting them to feed at first.

Yea I believe the one my lfs has is a Japanese one. Still a beautiful fish though!

Do you think the presence of ich could be causing my banana eels hunger strike? He ate like a pig when first introduced but has not eaten in about a week or so. He is not rubbing up against anything or showing signs of disease.

Thanks again for all your help!

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Yea I believe the one my lfs has is a Japanese one. Still a beautiful fish though!

Do you think the presence of ich could be causing my banana eels hunger strike? He ate like a pig when first introduced but has not eaten in about a week or so. He is not rubbing up against anything or showing signs of disease.

Thanks again for all your help!

Oh, I misunderstood - I thought you had the eel for awhile and that it would regularly go on and off feed. If it is just one hunger strike and it still hasn't started again, then, yes, it could be ich or some other issue.

What foods are you trying on it?
Can you count its respiration rate (or post a video of it)?

 

[Tom1234]

Oh, I misunderstood - I thought you had the eel for awhile and that it would regularly go on and off feed. If it is just one hunger strike and it still hasn't started again, then, yes, it could be ich or some other issue.

What foods are you trying on it?
Can you count its respiration rate (or post a video of it)?

I’ve tried silversides, shrimp, krill, squid, octopus and live Rosie’s. For the first 2 weeks, he eat silversides, shrimp and krill, but since then doesn’t show much interest. His breathing seems normal. He wasn’t very happy with me turning the lights on this morning, but here is a quick video of him. I can take a better one later to show his breathing if needed.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I’ve tried silversides, shrimp, krill, squid, octopus and live Rosie’s. For the first 2 weeks, he eat silversides, shrimp and krill, but since then doesn’t show much interest. His breathing seems normal. He wasn’t very happy with me turning the lights on this morning, but here is a quick video of him. I can take a better one later to show his breathing if needed.

Its breathing seems ok. It is a bit thin though. It is agitated, but as you said, that may be from turning on the lights.

I wish I could tell you why the eel isn’t eating, you have tried enough different types of foods.

 

[Tom1234]

Its breathing seems ok. It is a bit thin though. It is agitated, but as you said, that may be from turning on the lights.

I wish I could tell you why the eel isn’t eating, you have tried enough different types of foods.

I will just keep trying to feed him daily, not much else I could do. My main concern was if the ich was affecting him. My lfs has a dragon moray in and I was heavily considering just doing the two eels and my banded cat shark if those are two types of fish that won’t be affected by the presence of ich.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I will just keep trying to feed him daily, not much else I could do. My main concern was if the ich was affecting him. My lfs has a dragon moray in and I was heavily considering just doing the two eels and my banded cat shark if those are two types of fish that won’t be affected by the presence of ich.

Personally, I would not buy a dragon moray with this one not eating - the reason could be contagious. Also watch out for size differences between the two eels, they may not get along.

 

[Tom1234]

Sounds good, I will hold off. I appreciate your help and expertise! My last question is if it is only the shark and eel in there now, will the ich continue to live (but hopefully not affect) on them? Or will this count as a 76 day fallow period and I could introduce fish again then?

Again, thank you for all your help! @Jay Hemdal

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Sounds good, I will hold off. I appreciate your help and expertise! My last question is if it is only the shark and eel in there now, will the ich continue to live (but hopefully not affect) on them? Or will this count as a 76 day fallow period and I could introduce fish again then?

Again, thank you for all your help! @Jay Hemdal

I guess the wild card is the eel - without doing a microscopic skin scrape, there is no way to know if it is carrying an infection.

Another option would be to send in a eDNA sample to Aquabiomics. That adds time and cost though.

 

[Tom1234]

So the banded cat shark isn’t a concern of carrying the ich? He still healthy as ever, eating like a pig lol

I guess the wild card is the eel - without doing a microscopic skin scrape, there is no way to know if it is carrying an infection.

Another option would be to send in a eDNA sample to Aquabiomics. That adds time and cost though.