salty blues
Active Member
Does ich lurk in the tank waiting for an oppurtunity to strike or does it need to be introduced from an outside source?
? about ich
- Thread starter salty blues
- Start date
itom37
Member
Generally that lurking thing is correct. Most tanks have ick, but fish can remain healthy in those tanks unless a stressful situation permits an infection. I hear a lot about really healthy tanks that experienced a sudden temp drop (broken heater or something) and that triggered an outbreak.
salty blues
Active Member
Well I have 2 replies that seem to disagree. Anyone else like to opine?
1journeyman
Active Member
Originally Posted by itom37
Generally that lurking thing is correct. Most tanks have ick, but fish can remain healthy in those tanks unless a stressful situation permits an infection. I hear a lot about really healthy tanks that experienced a sudden temp drop (broken heater or something) and that triggered an outbreak.
Ich is a parasite that must be introduced. It goes through several life stages in the 4-6 weeks that it lives so it theoretically can come in on rocks, sand, coral, etc. The majority of the time, however, it enters your tank via fish that have been improperly QT'd.
Think "spontaneous generation". It doesn't happen. Now that we know the life cycle of "ich", and the fact that it is a parasite and not a disease, we know more about it.
Generally that lurking thing is correct. Most tanks have ick, but fish can remain healthy in those tanks unless a stressful situation permits an infection. I hear a lot about really healthy tanks that experienced a sudden temp drop (broken heater or something) and that triggered an outbreak.
Ich is a parasite that must be introduced. It goes through several life stages in the 4-6 weeks that it lives so it theoretically can come in on rocks, sand, coral, etc. The majority of the time, however, it enters your tank via fish that have been improperly QT'd.
Think "spontaneous generation". It doesn't happen. Now that we know the life cycle of "ich", and the fact that it is a parasite and not a disease, we know more about it.
earlybird
Active Member
Originally Posted by 1journeyman
Ich is a parasite that must be introduced. It goes through several life stages in the 4-6 weeks that it lives so it theoretically can come in on rocks, sand, coral, etc. The majority of the time, however, it enters your tank via fish that have been improperly QT'd.
Think "spontaneous generation". It doesn't happen. Now that we know the life cycle of "ich", and the fact that it is a parasite and not a disease, we know more about it.
Trust the man! There are a lot of myths that have been proven wrong in recent years. It is common knowledge and practice now that there are really only 2 proven treatments to ich, copper and hypo. Lots of research and success stories that follow these lines.
Ich is a parasite that must be introduced. It goes through several life stages in the 4-6 weeks that it lives so it theoretically can come in on rocks, sand, coral, etc. The majority of the time, however, it enters your tank via fish that have been improperly QT'd.
Think "spontaneous generation". It doesn't happen. Now that we know the life cycle of "ich", and the fact that it is a parasite and not a disease, we know more about it.
Trust the man! There are a lot of myths that have been proven wrong in recent years. It is common knowledge and practice now that there are really only 2 proven treatments to ich, copper and hypo. Lots of research and success stories that follow these lines.
sepulatian
Moderator
Originally Posted by 1journeyman
Ich is a parasite that must be introduced. It goes through several life stages in the 4-6 weeks that it lives so it theoretically can come in on rocks, sand, coral, etc. The majority of the time, however, it enters your tank via fish that have been improperly QT'd.
Think "spontaneous generation". It doesn't happen. Now that we know the life cycle of "ich", and the fact that it is a parasite and not a disease, we know more about it.
I 100% agree. Ich and other parasites can come in on rock, corals, basicaly anything with a hard surface. QT everything. A 100% ich free tank is entirely possible, many of us on here never need to look in our DT's for parasites.
Ich is a parasite that must be introduced. It goes through several life stages in the 4-6 weeks that it lives so it theoretically can come in on rocks, sand, coral, etc. The majority of the time, however, it enters your tank via fish that have been improperly QT'd.
Think "spontaneous generation". It doesn't happen. Now that we know the life cycle of "ich", and the fact that it is a parasite and not a disease, we know more about it.
I 100% agree. Ich and other parasites can come in on rock, corals, basicaly anything with a hard surface. QT everything. A 100% ich free tank is entirely possible, many of us on here never need to look in our DT's for parasites.
1boatnut
Member
Originally Posted by itom37
Generally that lurking thing is correct. Most tanks have ick, but fish can remain healthy in those tanks unless a stressful situation permits an infection. I hear a lot about really healthy tanks that experienced a sudden temp drop (broken heater or something) and that triggered an outbreak.
Originally Posted by salty blues
Well I have 2 replies that seem to disagree. Anyone else like to opine?
Well the heater situation happened to my neighbor in 2 seperate tanks due to a power failure.
Nothing new had been introduced to the tank(s)
Both tanks ,the fish got Ich.He is currently treating all in a QT tank
I agree 100% OT is a good thing
Generally that lurking thing is correct. Most tanks have ick, but fish can remain healthy in those tanks unless a stressful situation permits an infection. I hear a lot about really healthy tanks that experienced a sudden temp drop (broken heater or something) and that triggered an outbreak.
Originally Posted by salty blues
Well I have 2 replies that seem to disagree. Anyone else like to opine?
Well the heater situation happened to my neighbor in 2 seperate tanks due to a power failure.
Nothing new had been introduced to the tank(s)
Both tanks ,the fish got Ich.He is currently treating all in a QT tank
I agree 100% OT is a good thing
salty blues
Active Member
Did some research and found some info at another site which lends much support to the idea that marine ich must be introduced to the tank & that stress will not cause ich.
Since I'm not allowed to post the link to the site everyone will just have to take my word(or not).
Since I'm not allowed to post the link to the site everyone will just have to take my word(or not).
1journeyman
Active Member
Yup. (and thanks for not posting a link, btw).
Back when ich was little understood I think people assumed it was a disease and therefore could be caught anytime. Now that we know it is a parasite preventing it is better understood.
Back when ich was little understood I think people assumed it was a disease and therefore could be caught anytime. Now that we know it is a parasite preventing it is better understood.
1boatnut
Member
Originally Posted by salty blues
Did some research and found some info at another site which lends much support to the idea that marine ich must be introduced to the tank & that stress will not cause ich.
Since I'm not allowed to post the link to the site everyone will just have to take my word(or not).
Was the info reliable,or just another forum member passing on info and opinions they have stumbled upon on other forums ?
Not that I'm disputing,just wondering.
I believe Ich does indeed need to be introduced,but I think there are variables that may bring it on also. Something had to be a carrier.
Although I will say that makes me wonder how long is long enough in QT ?
Example:I start a tank and buy a fish and place it directly into the display tank as there are no other fish. All is well and my fish that has now been alone and parasite free for a few months wants a friend.I purchase another fish and place it in QT for 3-4 weeks. All seems well so I place the fish in the DT and everything is OK for a couple of months. Suddenly I have a power failure and the temp drops 6-10 degrees under normal. A week after all this happens ,the fish get Ich.
Where did it come from & how could it have been avoided?
Did some research and found some info at another site which lends much support to the idea that marine ich must be introduced to the tank & that stress will not cause ich.
Since I'm not allowed to post the link to the site everyone will just have to take my word(or not).
Was the info reliable,or just another forum member passing on info and opinions they have stumbled upon on other forums ?
Not that I'm disputing,just wondering.
I believe Ich does indeed need to be introduced,but I think there are variables that may bring it on also. Something had to be a carrier.
Although I will say that makes me wonder how long is long enough in QT ?
Example:I start a tank and buy a fish and place it directly into the display tank as there are no other fish. All is well and my fish that has now been alone and parasite free for a few months wants a friend.I purchase another fish and place it in QT for 3-4 weeks. All seems well so I place the fish in the DT and everything is OK for a couple of months. Suddenly I have a power failure and the temp drops 6-10 degrees under normal. A week after all this happens ,the fish get Ich.
Where did it come from & how could it have been avoided?
itom37
Member
Originally Posted by salty blues
Did some research and found some info at another site which lends much support to the idea that marine ich must be introduced to the tank & that stress will not cause ich.
Since I'm not allowed to post the link to the site everyone will just have to take my word(or not).
Of course it must be introduced. To make an analogy with the stress thing, it's a bit like "catching a cold" when it gets cold out. The cold weather did not give you the sickness. It weakened your immune system or something to that effect so that the virus that causes the common cold can overcome your immune system.
Stressed fish in an ich free system won't get ick. If there is ick (and there usually is) stress will allow it to get a foothold in your fish and begin to take over. At least that's how i understand it.
Did some research and found some info at another site which lends much support to the idea that marine ich must be introduced to the tank & that stress will not cause ich.
Since I'm not allowed to post the link to the site everyone will just have to take my word(or not).
Of course it must be introduced. To make an analogy with the stress thing, it's a bit like "catching a cold" when it gets cold out. The cold weather did not give you the sickness. It weakened your immune system or something to that effect so that the virus that causes the common cold can overcome your immune system.
Stressed fish in an ich free system won't get ick. If there is ick (and there usually is) stress will allow it to get a foothold in your fish and begin to take over. At least that's how i understand it.
salty blues
Active Member
Originally Posted by 1boatnut
Was the info reliable,or just another forum member passing on info and opinions they have stumbled upon on other forums ?
The article had a list of references as long as my right arm. It included some folks with credentials and letters after their names so I would say it is most likely reliable info.
Was the info reliable,or just another forum member passing on info and opinions they have stumbled upon on other forums ?
The article had a list of references as long as my right arm. It included some folks with credentials and letters after their names so I would say it is most likely reliable info.
jc74
Member
Originally Posted by 1boatnut
Was the info reliable,or just another forum member passing on info and opinions they have stumbled upon on other forums ?
Not that I'm disputing,just wondering.
I believe Ich does indeed need to be introduced,but I think there are variables that may bring it on also. Something had to be a carrier.
Although I will say that makes me wonder how long is long enough in QT ?
Example:I start a tank and buy a fish and place it directly into the display tank as there are no other fish. All is well and my fish that has now been alone and parasite free for a few months wants a friend.I purchase another fish and place it in QT for 3-4 weeks. All seems well so I place the fish in the DT and everything is OK for a couple of months. Suddenly I have a power failure and the temp drops 6-10 degrees under normal. A week after all this happens ,the fish get Ich.
Where did it come from & how could it have been avoided?
As someone who's battled ich a few times over 15 years, my theory is that the ich was introduced into your tank by an infected fish/water in the past, but your fish were healthy enough to fight it and keep the population down to where it wasn't noticed. It still multiplied enough to remain in the water, but didn't cause enough symptoms for you to think it was there.
And then the temperature drop stressed the fish, so they weren't as effective at fighting the parasites, and they multiplied rapidly thus becoming a problem.
Similar things have happened to me, but I treated with copper and didn't have any more problems for years. Now that I'm going reef my treatment options are more limited...
Was the info reliable,or just another forum member passing on info and opinions they have stumbled upon on other forums ?
Not that I'm disputing,just wondering.
I believe Ich does indeed need to be introduced,but I think there are variables that may bring it on also. Something had to be a carrier.
Although I will say that makes me wonder how long is long enough in QT ?
Example:I start a tank and buy a fish and place it directly into the display tank as there are no other fish. All is well and my fish that has now been alone and parasite free for a few months wants a friend.I purchase another fish and place it in QT for 3-4 weeks. All seems well so I place the fish in the DT and everything is OK for a couple of months. Suddenly I have a power failure and the temp drops 6-10 degrees under normal. A week after all this happens ,the fish get Ich.
Where did it come from & how could it have been avoided?
As someone who's battled ich a few times over 15 years, my theory is that the ich was introduced into your tank by an infected fish/water in the past, but your fish were healthy enough to fight it and keep the population down to where it wasn't noticed. It still multiplied enough to remain in the water, but didn't cause enough symptoms for you to think it was there.
And then the temperature drop stressed the fish, so they weren't as effective at fighting the parasites, and they multiplied rapidly thus becoming a problem.
Similar things have happened to me, but I treated with copper and didn't have any more problems for years. Now that I'm going reef my treatment options are more limited...