In this issue
Terry Bartelme concludes his well researched series on Cryptocaryon
irritans. What the series does is to provide the aquarist
with solid, scientifically based information on this destructive
pathogen. The series also sets forth what actually works against
this parasite and what is ineffective, what the parasite's
life cycle is, and how such information can be useful to aquarists.
Those reading this series with the hope that the author would
reveal a magic bullet to be used against Cryptocaryon irritans
are going to be disappointed. However, the situation is not
hopeless - there are ways to fight back.
This
Euphyllia ancora has grown from a small fragment
in the author's reef tanks since its purchase in 1985.
Terry's series
serves to empower the aquarist in the struggle with this universal
parasitic pest. I found the series especially valuable as
I have had battles with Cryptocaryon irritans since
the late 1960s. Back in those days most of us had fish only
tanks, decorated with dead coral, and I can't think of a marine
aquarist that didn't lose fish to this parasite. Many of us,
along with public aquariums, had to keep a level of copper
in our aquaria in order to control the ever present parasite.
Regular dosing with copper and formalin was a constant. As
most of know, long term use of copper is as bad for the host
as chemotherapy is for cancer victims, but we had no choice.
In 1984 I set
up my first reef tank and quickly made the discovery that
the instance of Cryptocaryon irritans infection was
greatly reduced, but when it occurred it was nolonger possible
to use copper; in fact, virtually any chemical that would
kill this parasite would also kill many, if not all, of ones
invertebrates - soft and hard corals included. I suspect that
the environment of a successful reef tank helps to minimize
the risk of parasitic infection for several essential reasons:
It is far less stressful, water quality is usually much better,
and the newly hatched parasites are eaten by some of the tank's
invertebrates before they can find a host.
However, from
reading the online bulletin boards, it is clear that this
parasite is still causing trouble. So, what is the aquarist
who has this problem to do? First, read Terry Bartelme's 5
part series. In this series, relevant issues like stress management,
accurate techniques for lowering salinity, and information
about so-called cures that don't work are clearly elucidated.
Knowing what works and what doesn't is critical information.
Finally, take
this from a veteran of these parasite wars, pay more for net
caught or aquacultured fish, and do what all public aquariums
do - quarantine your new purchases for at least 4 weeks.
