Is Ich In The Tank Or On The Fish?

[mike_nofx]

When treating for ich, do you treat the fish which have it? or the tank?

What i mean is, if i ever see one of my fish has ich, can i put him in a hospital tank, and cure him there? or will the ich remain in the main tank, and the tank will require treating?

Thanks

 

[fish mad]

When treating for ich, do you treat the fish which have it? or the tank?

What i mean is, if i ever see one of my fish has ich, can i put him in a hospital tank, and cure him there? or will the ich remain in the main tank, and the tank will require treating?

Thanks

You need to treat the whole tank. If you go to Tropical Emergencies theres a section on how and when to treat. Good luck.

 

[akudewan]

This info is from a very old book, mind you, the book is very old, so the info may be a little outdated:

White-spot (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis) is caused by a protozoan (nicknamed as ich) which burrows under the scales of fishes and feeds on its host. At this stage, the parasite forms a small swelling which appears as a white spot about the size of a pin-hole. This develops for about three or four days and finally drops off, leaving the fish quite clear. A beginner may think that the disease has been cured. Actually, the most dangerous time has arrived, as the encysted protozoan, too small to be seen in the gravel, bursts open. Hundreds of young parasites emerge from it and swim about, searching for a host to fasten themselves. Thus, in a few days, most of the fishes will be showing white spots.

It can be easily cured by using the Anti-Ich medicines from your LFS. Inreasing the temperature also helps

 

[OohFeeshy]

Yup, ich medicine kills the free-swimming stage, not the stage attatched to fish. Increasing the temperature speeds up the life cycle, so they drop off the fish faster and are fre-swimming sooner.