Powder blue and Ich managment

[shoelaceike]

Has anyone had succes with this? Would love to add a PB but if it has no chance then it would be a bad idea.

 

[Brew12]

Has anyone had succes with this? Would love to add a PB but if it has no chance then it would be a bad idea.

Unfortunately, Tangs rarely do well in an ich managed system. It can be done, but it takes some luck.

Tangs are open water fish that swim large distances. This makes them difficult for ich to infect in large numbers in nature so they have little natural resistance. That said, every fish is different and if you can find a very healthy specimen and keep it under a minimum amount of stress, it is possible.

Maybe @eatbreakfast can offer more insight if Humble and Mel aren't around yet this morning?

 

[melypr1985]

It's less than likely to go well with an Acanthurus tang. They have little to no protection from ick since their slime coat is so thin. They rarely make it long term in an ick-management tank. @4FordFamily has tried this many times and can tell you exactly how that worked out.

 

[Brew12]

It's less than likely to go well with an Acanthurus tang. They have little to no protection from ick since their slime coat is so thin. They rarely make it long term in an ick-management tank. @4FordFamily has tried this many times and can tell you exactly how that worked out.

Of course.. can't believe I forgot...

Here is a very enlightening read!
https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/ich-and-acanthurus-tangs-years-of-experience-and-ich-management.106/

 

[shoelaceike]

Thanks. I have plenty of tangs without issue. Im just wondering if anyone had some success with a PB as if there are some success storys I may take the chance.

 

[tj w]

Don't do it, that's how I lost all of my fish last year. They will not survive it.

 

[shoelaceike]

Don't do it, that's how I lost all of my fish last year. They will not survive it.

thanks....I guess it is too risky

 

[tj w]

It is man, honestly. Didn't mean to come off harsh, I just don't want anyone to go through that unnecessarily. I only wish I would've asked before I did it. There are plenty of other beauties that would do well for you.

 

[Brew12]

thanks....I guess it is too risky

It is very risky. Not only to the fish you add but to your existing fish.

When a fish is "immune" to a parasite like ich, it isn't that the parasite doesn't hurt it. It does limit the ability of the parasite to feed which limits its reproductive rate. If you have all immune fish in your system you can get down to a very low level of parasites in the water.
The problem comes when you add a new fish that isn't immune. The parasites can start feeding on them and reproduce normally allowing their populations to skyrocket. Not only can this kill the new fish, but the large populations can stress the existing fish causing them to lose their immunity. This cascade has the potential to wipe out an entire tank.
Illnesses are very common in the fish supply chain. It is very possible that a new fish you buy "could" have some level of immunity. This is why people with ich managed systems can add fish and never see symptoms. It is also why most ich managed systems collapse and cannot be sustained.

 

[jcoopcycle]

I lost pretty much a whole happy healthy tank after adding one. I am just coming out of a fallow period from this episode. If you do it do it with caution. I was warned about the PB from a very knowledgeable friend who owns a shop in Louisiana. I wish I would have listened to him. Lost 10 fish with only 2 survivors. Good luck. They are a beautiful addition, but I am scared of the risks involved.

 

[4FordFamily]

Of course.. can't believe I forgot...

Here is a very enlightening read!
https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/ich-and-acanthurus-tangs-years-of-experience-and-ich-management.106/

Thanks. I have plenty of tangs without issue. Im just wondering if anyone had some success with a PB as if there are some success storys I may take the chance.

Shoelace that link and article says it all, that was my own personal experience. I hope you learn from it.