How Serious Is Whitespot [ich]?

[missPenguin]

I only ask because everytime someone posts something about ich, the replies [generally] indicate it's something really bad. I appreciate that no fish disease is 'good', but I'd always been under the impression that ich was treatable and not hugely serious, though very common. In fact, I remember when I had goldfish [over ten years ago!] I treated successfully for ich on at least 2 occassions. Is it more serious in tropical fish?

I've been lucky [fingers crossed] in my current ventures with tropicial fish, only had a mild case of fin rot which cleared up when treated with melafix, but I want to be prepared as I am aware it 'could' happen to me in the future [though I have whitespot treatment anyway as a back-up].

Be preapred as they say!

So how 'serious' is it?

 

[WILDER]

Whitespot left untreated can kill a fish fast, as it a parasite, once a parasite pierce the skin you are asking for alot of other problems on top, plus they attack the gills causing the fish not to be able to breath.

 

[tttnjfttt]

white spot is generally treatable, however there are other problems that can develop, like a secondary bacterial ifnection. This tends to be more lethal. Also, fish often get sick when they are stressed. One large source of stress in many new tanks is high ammonia and nitrite levels. These can also be lethal and weaken the fish's immune system, making fighting the disease harder.

 

[missPenguin]

Whitespot left untreated can kill a fish fast, as it a parasite, once a parasite pierce the skin you are asking for alot of other problems on top, plus they attack the gills causing the fish not to be able to breath.

Sorry I had to edit my post as I accidently pressed submit )

 

[WILDER]

http/cichlid-forum.com/articles/ich.php

 

[missPenguin]

http/cichlid-forum.com/articles/ich.php

Excellent thanks. I will bear this all in mind.