Ich Question

[jerkyslim]

i was reading about Ich on Wikipedia, http/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ichthyophthirius , and it says the life cycle takes about 7-10 days. does that mean after 10 days there is no more ich in ure aquarium and the water is safe again or what?

 

[Tempestuousfury]

Nope, I think it means that it takes that long to go from cyst, to larva, to adult, then back to cyst.

I.e. egg becomes larva, then becomes an adult, then lays eggs.

 

[jerkyslim]

then how do u get the parasite out of your aquarium?

 

[Tempestuousfury]

Chemicals do not work when the parasite is encysted. They let go of the fish at about 82F, so what you should do is invest in a heater if you do not have one, as well as some aquarium salt and a medicine to get rid of ich.

That was a summary of something like this:
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=128879

 

[jerkyslim]

thank you. so if its above 82 degrees then it gets off the fish. and then once its off you can kill it with meds? am i correct. then once the meds kill it, is it still present in ure aquarium?

 

[Tempestuousfury]

82 is a relatively arbitrary number. I've read 82 and 84, neither will hurt your fish if that's the temp you keep it at for a short time.

As for if it is still present, the consensus on my post on that in the past was a resounding no. I'll therefore withhold on that response since I have reservations about that...

Also, remember to remove carbon from your filter when medicating and replace it when you are done medicating to removew the chemicals.