Lost all fish!!!!

rustynutzz · 03/07/2008, 05:59 PM

Lost a lionfish and puffer due to ich which was cured and then a secondary bacterial infection. After the ich was cured they developed some sort of bacterial infection which caused their eyes to cloud over and skin to look horrid. Couldn't get a hospital tank set up in time to treat. Three damsels are left to keep the cycle going, which didn't get ich or bacterial infection.

Water quality has always been pristine. RO/DI 5% weekly water changes.

Question:

1. Will the bacteria in the tank just reinfect new fish introduced?

2. Will the bacteria always be there? Do I have to treat the entire tank with antibiotics and kill off the biological filter?

3. What would you do?

Blown 346 · 03/07/2008, 06:05 PM

Bacteria wont infect fish, only the parasite which can remain present in the tank for up to 6 weeks. Bacteria in a tank will always be there, without it the tanks water parameters wouldnt be stabile.

I would keep the tank fishless for 6 weeks to let the parasite die off. With no fish, the parasite cant feed or host anything and it will die. The ich parasite will live and lay eggs in the rockwork and substrate. I would let it die off. Quarantine everything you buy, coral, fish etc. I will even Quarantine new liverock to check for unwated parasites or hithchikers.

rustynutzz · 03/07/2008, 06:16 PM

Well, gonna have to go with the damsels for a bit to keep the bio filter going since they didn't get ich or the parasite. I'll go 6 weeks without adding fish gggrrrrr!!!!!!!!

Blown 346 · 03/07/2008, 06:35 PM

The damsels can get ich as well which will kepp the parasite alive., once you introduce new fish it can start all over again. I would try to remove all fish. The tank will keep its bacteria in it now, you dont have to have fish to have the tank remain stabile.

cpl40475 · 03/07/2008, 07:16 PM

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...heir+treatment
some of the symptons you have mentioned are also listed in this thread about flukes. Might be worth reading.
Tracy

snorvich · 03/07/2008, 08:14 PM

The best way to keep a biological filter active with no fish is to add a bit of raw shrimp every couple of weeks or there abouts. If it is ick, the tank must be totally fallow (NO fish) for at least six weeks.

Aquarist007 · 03/07/2008, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by snorvich
The best way to keep a biological filter active with no fish is to add a bit of raw shrimp every couple of weeks or there abouts. If it is ick, the tank must be totally fallow (NO fish) for at least six weeks.

I second this idea and just about to post it too
however I wouldn't leave the shrimp in more then a few days

JCR's Reef · 03/07/2008, 09:39 PM

Im sure you have enough in there already to keep your bacteria going without adding anything into the tank. I would take the fish out. Parasites can last longer than six weeks without fish though.

rustynutzz · 03/07/2008, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cpl40475
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...heir+treatment
some of the symptons you have mentioned are also listed in this thread about flukes. Might be worth reading.
Tracy

HOLY SHITSKY!! Both my fish had 4-5 out of 6 of those symptoms. Man wish I could have seen this early. Definitely going to my favorites.

I'll be trying to take those damsels out, but you know how that goes.

rustynutzz · 03/07/2008, 11:01 PM

Man I just went back and read most of that thread, thanks for the info!!

03/07/2008, 05:59 PM	#1
rustynutzz Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 65	Lost all fish!!!! Lost a lionfish and puffer due to ich which was cured and then a secondary bacterial infection. After the ich was cured they developed some sort of bacterial infection which caused their eyes to cloud over and skin to look horrid. Couldn't get a hospital tank set up in time to treat. Three damsels are left to keep the cycle going, which didn't get ich or bacterial infection. Water quality has always been pristine. RO/DI 5% weekly water changes. Question: 1. Will the bacteria in the tank just reinfect new fish introduced? 2. Will the bacteria always be there? Do I have to treat the entire tank with antibiotics and kill off the biological filter? 3. What would you do?

03/07/2008, 07:16 PM	#5
cpl40475 Just hanging out Join Date: May 2007 Location: ky Posts: 786	http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...heir+treatment some of the symptons you have mentioned are also listed in this thread about flukes. Might be worth reading. Tracy __________________ Im just a redneck in a city slickers lifestyle Current Tank Info: WORKING ON IT

03/07/2008, 08:14 PM	#6
snorvich Team RC member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Outlander Posts: 40,953 Blog Entries: 46	The best way to keep a biological filter active with no fish is to add a bit of raw shrimp every couple of weeks or there abouts. If it is ick, the tank must be totally fallow (NO fish) for at least six weeks. __________________ Warmest regards, ~Steve~

03/07/2008, 09:39 PM	#8
JCR's Reef Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana Posts: 1,303	Im sure you have enough in there already to keep your bacteria going without adding anything into the tank. I would take the fish out. Parasites can last longer than six weeks without fish though. __________________ >Josh< Current Tank Info: Starphire Rimless Tank, ATB Elegance 200. Click on my name and visit my build thread. Lots of pics

03/07/2008, 06:05 PM	#2
Blown 346 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Rockford, Illinois Posts: 6,596	Bacteria wont infect fish, only the parasite which can remain present in the tank for up to 6 weeks. Bacteria in a tank will always be there, without it the tanks water parameters wouldnt be stabile. I would keep the tank fishless for 6 weeks to let the parasite die off. With no fish, the parasite cant feed or host anything and it will die. The ich parasite will live and lay eggs in the rockwork and substrate. I would let it die off. Quarantine everything you buy, coral, fish etc. I will even Quarantine new liverock to check for unwated parasites or hithchikers.

03/07/2008, 06:16 PM	#3
rustynutzz Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 65	Well, gonna have to go with the damsels for a bit to keep the bio filter going since they didn't get ich or the parasite. I'll go 6 weeks without adding fish gggrrrrr!!!!!!!!

03/07/2008, 06:35 PM	#4
Blown 346 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Rockford, Illinois Posts: 6,596	The damsels can get ich as well which will kepp the parasite alive., once you introduce new fish it can start all over again. I would try to remove all fish. The tank will keep its bacteria in it now, you dont have to have fish to have the tank remain stabile.

03/07/2008, 11:01 PM	#10
rustynutzz Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 65	Man I just went back and read most of that thread, thanks for the info!!