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Quarantine Tank (QT)
Saltwater Ich can be introduced into your aquarium by hitching a ride on a new fish added to your aquarium community. Always keep a separate QT (quarantine tank) to put new fish in before introducing them into your main aquarium. This allows you to observe the new fish for several weeks to insure they are disease free, and you have a place to treat fish already established in your main tank if they become sick. By running a QT this also allows you to more effectively control the proper level of medications needed for what ever ails the fish. With a reef system, many mediations can wreak havoc on the biological filter, weakening the nitrosoma bacteria, or killing it all together. Some medications are harmful to inverts, corals and live rock as well. We discourage adding medications into a main aquarium, unless absolutely necessary.
UV & Ozone Sterilization Units
Many people choose to run UV (Ultra Violet) or Ozone Sterilization units. These units only destroy the Ich during the new born, free swimming life cycle stage of the parasites. They do not kill or remove the Ich parasites once attached to the fish. UV & Ozone sterilization units can assist in controlling an Ich bloom from getting out of hand, and possibly eliminating the problem all together.
Stress Factors
Stress is another factor that can bring on an outbreak
of Ich. By keeping your aquarium in top shape with water quality
control, using proper filtration, and not putting your fish under any unnecessary stress causing situations, this can help prevent outbreaks. New fish can go through quite an ordeal during the collection and shipping process that relates to stress.
Using a QT to isolate new arrivals is always the best thing to do.
Naturally Susceptible Fish
There are many fish species like Tangs/Surgeon Fishes that seem to be easily prone to contacting Ich. Our theory is that a lot of this has to do with the thin skin these fishes have. For example, if you are familiar with the Achilles, Goldrim, and Powder Blue Tangs, you know that they have soft, thin, almost velvety like skin. We call these fish "Ich Detectors" as they will usually be the first fish to come down with it. The Yellow Tang is also another top candidate for Ich, even though its skin is a little thicker. Fish like the Naso Tang have rougher, thick, tough skin, therefore more resistant. It seems to us that the softer, thinner the skin, the easier it is for the parasites to attach to them. Another observation is that fish that have thick, heavy scales generally seem to be less prone to Ich or contacting it as quickly as fish with thinner, finer scales. You can choose to avoid fishes that are known to be prone to coming down with Ich.
Keeping Watch After Treatment Of An Outbreak
If you have had an Ich outbreak, once treated and it appears to be gone, don't let your guard down. It can reoccur, so if you are vigilant in watching for new signs, this is helpful in catching it early if it comes back.
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Oodinium (Velvet/Coral Fish)
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