Ich ?

[jrb384]

I was told by the LFS that all fish, no ecxeptions have and carry ich, all the time. Only when the fish becomes stressed does it present itself and cause problems. So is it something that lays dorment in all fish, and under the right conditions (stress)presents itself? I've also been told that it generally will take 3 weeks for a healthy fish to cycle the ich though its system. any comments on this?

 

[carrie1429]

I have heard that as well, all fish carry ich. If you have like a large temperature change or the fish just get stressed out then that could bring out that ich. Don't know exactly how long it takes for the ich to cycle on the fish but I would say about 2 weeks, JMO.

 

[itchy]

Jrb, I was told the same thing. It only made since to me but Terry B who is very educated swares the opposite. Maybe he will see this thread and respond.

 

[dreeves]

Ich is a fully ciliated protozoan present in all marine environments. Fish with which come into contact with this can be infected (whitespots, etc). Not all fish whom come in contact with C. irritans will develope Ich. It is dependent upon the type of fish, the immune systems of the particular fish, which we all know is directly affected by stress, as well as previous infections, current infections and so on.
I do not believe marine fish carry the parasite in a "dormant" condition. Invertebres now are often pointed at for harboring the C. irritans. But, that is still questionable.

 

[simm]

Iv always heard ick is always there in a dormant state. On fish, in dsb and LR. The fish can have ick but if they are healthy and their immune system is up to par then most likely you wont see a problem. This is what I have always understood. I may be wronge.