Ich Spots Disappearing

[codeajohnson]

Hello everyone,

I have been treating Ich now for the past week and I'm starting to see the spots disappear on the fish. I know that I need to continue treatment, but my main question was whether or not this is the normal cycle for the Ich or if the medication is actually working? I am worried that this is just part of the cycle of the Ich and that it's going to come back twice as bad. Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

The whitespot parasite has numerous life cycles (some of which it is immune to treatment in), if the white spots are disappearing from the fish then it sounds like the parasite is in the free swimming stage, and this is the stage where it is most vulnerable to being killed off by medication. So i would advise continuing treating the tank for at least the next week or 2 to help ensure that you kill off the parasite completely (personally i find 2-3weeks of total treatment is the best) . Keeping the substrate and tank glass very clean also helps get rid of the parasites too .

 

[codeajohnson]

Thanks for the reply! Just didn't know if it was a normal part of the cycle or if it was of the medications doing. I know that the parasite is most vulnerable in the free swimming stage. I guess my main question is if anyone knows how long it usually takes for the parasite to re-enter the host if the medication isn't working?

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Its hard to say as it depends a lot on the temperature in the tank, but as long as you keep up with the treatment for a decent period of time and keep the tank clean the parasite shouldn't have a chance to survive .

 

[codeajohnson]

Thanks for the reply!