Four weeks QT today.

[Reefbound]

Well like the title says I have successfully kept a Yellow belly hippo alive and well in hypo for four weeks because of ick. Question is do I keep him there for one more week to be safe ( not a sign of ick to date) or do I start doing small water changes from the main to increase the salt level of the water over the next week? I have read somewhere that this MUST be done very slowly because its harder for the fish to adapt to higher levels than lower ones. I have never been able to get to this point before with two other fish and I dont want to kill this little guy now.

 

[Elmo18]

At least one more week.

Better to be safe than sorry. I would do another 2 weeks.

You are correct about the increase of SG. I would do a 0.001 level increase per one or two days. Not more. It really is harder for the fish (i.e. osmotic shock). Normal fish SG is I believe around 1.015-1.016 SG, but they adapt to the reef tank SG's and the ocean SG.

I applaud you for QT'ing a gentle fish as this. They are so much gentler and very, tough when bought as dime/nickel sized specimens. This one looks like it is larger.

Lee will chime in as well, I'm sure.

Best,
Ilham

 

[mmkeeper]

Two question. One was he in your display tank when he got ich?
Is it 4 weeks for going into QT or 4 weeks from the ich spots falling off?

 

[Herefishyfishy]

6 weeks minimum beyond the last symptoms

 

[Reefbound]

At least one more week.

Better to be safe than sorry. I would do another 2 weeks.

You are correct about the increase of SG. I would do a 0.001 level increase per one or two days. Not more. It really is harder for the fish (i.e. osmotic shock). Normal fish SG is I believe around 1.015-1.016 SG, but they adapt to the reef tank SG's and the ocean SG.

I applaud you for QT'ing a gentle fish as this. They are so much gentler and very, tough when bought as dime/nickel sized specimens. This one looks like it is larger.

Lee will chime in as well, I'm sure.

Best,
Ilham

Thanks...

I was figuring one more week but, two wouldnt be bad... When I purchased this little guy he was larger than a quarter but smaller than a 50 cent piece now hes slightly larger... and boy does he eat,his favorite is the red pellet from Ocean nutrition,wont touch the green stuff. Loves the calupra and Ocean nutrition green algae and red calupra.

Two question. One was he in your display tank when he got ich?
Is it 4 weeks for going into QT or 4 weeks from the ich spots falling off?

No,he was not in the display when the ick reared... The fish has been in QT for 5 1/2 weeks, 4 since seeing any spots. I am by no means in a hurry to get him to the main. I have been very fortunate for 2 1/2 years with no ick and the longer he's in qt the better.

6 weeks minimum beyond the last symptoms

6 weeks it is, Then I'll start the water changes to increase the salt level.
Would it be a good idea to observe for another week for spots? I would really be upset if I infect the main.

What are the chances this will return when he gets to the main?

 

[Herefishyfishy]

Would it be a good idea to observe for another week for spots? I would really be upset if I infect the main. What are the chances this will return when he gets to the main?

Adding time if possible is always advisable for anything in reefing. If the ick is in the display in lieu of on the fish, it will return. At that point, you either cure the tank by QTing and treating ALL the fish and leaving the tank fallow (fish free) for 6 weeks, or let them develop imunity if they survive.

 

[Reefbound]

Adding time if possible is always advisable for anything in reefing. If the ick is in the display in lieu of on the fish, it will return. At that point, you either cure the tank by QTing and treating ALL the fish and leaving the tank fallow (fish free) for 6 weeks, or let them develop imunity if they survive.

Can the ick be present even after two and half years in the main even though there has been no sight of it? If so then there is good chance I will be doing this again...

 

[Herefishyfishy]

Per Lee, if no new fish are added, after 11 months, it dies out.

 

[Reefbound]

Per Lee, if no new fish are added, after 11 months, it dies out.

I should be good then,no new fish in a while and Im going to keep him in QT for three more weeks to be safe actually four if you count the time for the salt increase.

 

[Snowboarda42]

Personally, I would keep him in QT for at least 6 weeks AFTER the last day of treatment occurs. In this case, I would wait until your SG is back up to where your DT's SG is, and then wait another 6 weeks.

Here's some great reading:
A Hyposalinity Treatment Proces

A Quarantine Process

Marine Ich - Myths and Facts