When is it safe to add my last living parrot fish into my new tank, and know it will not infect it?

Question

I have a 20 gal. tank, I had 5 small parrots in it for about 3 weeks in order to keep them safe while cycling my new 55 gal. They developed ich I treated the water today is the 5th day. I treated with 20 quick cure drops the first day, same second day, 25% water change 3rd plus added 20 more drops, 4th day added 20 more drops. Ok now on day one all my parrot fish were covered in white spots except for the blue it had just a couple spots and they quickly disapeared now for 4 days no spots, itching a little on the tank decoration and stuff but eating good looking very active and healty. How do I know when it is completely safe for me to put him in my new tank, Oh and by the way all others died, he is the only one left. What do I do? How do I know that he wont come up with it again later. And how should I treat my tank daily or should I not treat any more and see if he gets it again. I just dont know what to do any help would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

Wait 4 more days, do daily water changes during this time as well and continue the treatment. As you obviously know, just becasue you don't see spots doesn't mean there is no ick. Turn the temperature up to about 88 will help as well as this temperature alone will kill most of the ick and what it doesn't kill the mediction will. Sounds like they are responding well, just keep it up for the extra 4 days.

MM

Answer 2

The will sometimes happen every once in a while a group survive emerges victorious. Meaning its immune system was able to fight the infection or infestation better then its tank makes. This is an area that needs to be researched carefully these days since it would be nice to know what made that fish more special was it from the same clutch of parrot fish or not. Was it raise with the others or just from a different breeder. Who knows? But the fact is that he is immune. Now he might still be a carrier and the tank might still be infected. I would wait and continue treating the tank for just a little longer then directed. If and when you introduce a new fish start one by one. Another word of advice, hybrids like the parrot fish are a little weaker from the start. I love parrots though, and you should make lots of caves and hiding places they are tough but love to claim their own space or cave. PVC tubing works great. Check out www.atlantisfishtnak.com/products.html.