Ick question

[dralarms]

How does one get ick? Is it something that MUST come in on a new occupant? Or is it naturally occuring at some point? My 10 gal now has ick, I have lost all 6 plattys and my guppy. Didn't see any ick spots on them but my Zebro Danios are showing spots. Also how long does it take to see it if you introduce an infected fish into the community? I have increased the temp to 87, and am treating with wardleys ick meds. Any futher help would be appreciated. I sure don't want to loose any more fish. Guess I'd better stick with my regular lfs.

 

[Allivymar]

Ich isn't one of those dormant sorta parasites (it doesn't sit in its cyst until the time is ripe in other words) but it can be subclinical (fish can have such a mild case its not noticeable for a while). It can also just infest the gills and you can't see it; I'm betting thats what happened with the deceased fish. Go read my article in the article section here for more ich info (*sniffle can't believe you haven't read it yet. I'm hurt ).

As for how long it takes to show up, it depends on the fish. If a fish's immune system is depressed, ich will take advantage.

 

[Terry]

There are loads of ways that ick can be introduced to your aquarium. Whitespot as we call it in the UK can be introduced via.. infected fish, aquatic plants, any live foods ie..daphnia.
when the ich parasite first invades it host it is not visible to the naked eye, it is not until it has been feeding awhile that you will see the white spots. i think that they say the multi stage cycle of ich is about 5 days, someone will correct me if i'm wrong.
So to put it easier from the time the parasite first gets on the fish, feeds, jumps off the fish and multiplys is about five days.

The treatment that you are doing is fine, keep your temperature at 87. I would not introduce the fish back into the community for a few days after the whitespot has gone.

HTH

Terry

 

[dralarms]

Ich isn't one of those dormant sorta parasites (it doesn't sit in its cyst until the time is ripe in other words) but it can be subclinical (fish can have such a mild case its not noticeable for a while). It can also just infest the gills and you can't see it; I'm betting thats what happened with the deceased fish. Go read my article in the article section here for more ich info (*sniffle can't believe you haven't read it yet. I'm hurt ).

As for how long it takes to show up, it depends on the fish. If a fish's immune system is depressed, ich will take advantage.

Actually I did read it, just missed if ick could come from somewhere else.