LFS and Ich!

[waynestractor]

I was in my local store to get a few things today and thought maybe I would get a half dozen or so more Neon's while I was there considering I have finally gotten rid of the Ich outbreak I had, so taking the advice I have seen on many forums I stood there watching them to see if all were healthy when I noticed it, every one of the 100 or so were completely covered in white spots, not just 1 or 2 but dozens on each one! I told the girl she had an Ich outbreak and decided on no new fish for the day This is the same tank I got some from a couple weeks ago, now I know where the Ich came from, just didn't look that close before That was a good lesson in looking very close at the fish you are buying to be sure they are healthy...or at least appear to be.

[jobber604]

It's quite unfortunate to see that. However, you must understand that ich is present in all aquarium settings either introduced through new fish etc etc. Since it's in the water, stressed fish are prone to being 'attacked' by the ich parasite. The severity of the infection is correlated to the level of stress the fish is experiencing as well as the level of fish immunity. Neon tetras are known to have a weak immune system and so are vulnerable to ich attacks.

Happy fish will be less stressed and have a higher level of immunity to any pathogenic attacks. Just make sure the environment you provide your fish is good.

[waynestractor]

I think the jury is still out on that, as it is stated in many scientific studies that Ich can not survive without a host...it may be always present in a the gills of fish and will attack when fish are stressed, but can not survive indefinitely without a host. I know for a fact that it is not always present as this, as with any tank, was just set up 6 weeks ago so the parasite was obviously introduced somehow.

This thread was not started as an attack on the store as I understand the logistics of controlling disease or parasites in a setting where dozens of tanks are linked by a central filter system, just a good reason to pay close attention to the fish you are looking to buy.

[hlee72ca]

Ich is very common and I liken it to the human cold, usually very simple to cure. Your post is a good one, it points out the need for the hobbyist to quarintine their new purchases. Now most people will say, I don't have room for another tank, or what a waste a tank, that sits empty most of the time will be. I for one always place my new purchases in a separate tank all by themselves for at least 2 weeks. I agree that you should be watchful at the lfs, but if you don't have a quarintine tank going, be prepared for the worse.

[Diztrbd1]

I pretty much agree with everything posted. It is indeed a good thread to remind people to observe well before purchasing. And the the importance of quarantining some fish, if not all, before they are added to the general population. Tho, personally, I usually just add them & have had minimal problems. I take reading glasses with me so I can see everything real good lol Better safe than sorry!

[waynestractor]

I like the idea of a quarantine tank but my tank almost caused a divorce...true story, my wife was and still is not happy at all about it and hopes I will get bored and get rid of it! Under no uncertain terms am I allowed to bring another tank into the house, for any reason whatsoever, her words. So for those in my situation, and people like Diztrbd1, which i'm sure outnumber those with quarantine tanks, we have to expect the worst and be prepared! Worst case scenario, I will have a nice frog and shrimp tank

[josephl]

I was in my local store to get a few things today and thought maybe I would get a half dozen or so more Neon's while I was there considering I have finally gotten rid of the Ich outbreak I had, so taking the advice I have seen on many forums I stood there watching them to see if all were healthy when I noticed it, every one of the 100 or so were completely covered in white spots, not just 1 or 2 but dozens on each one! I told the girl she had an Ich outbreak and decided on no new fish for the day This is the same tank I got some from a couple weeks ago, now I know where the Ich came from, just didn't look that close before That was a good lesson in looking very close at the fish you are buying to be sure they are healthy...or at least appear to be.

Not only look very closely at the fish that you are buying but even if you don't spot any ich in that tank, check out what kind of system the store is on. If it's a central system, then you better also check the rest of the tanks on the system. I have seen numerous instances where the fish in the tank look clean and healthy but a few tanks down on the same system, there are fish with ich or some other disease. It's also good to check how the nets are stored. If it's one net for all tanks, better check all tanks