Time to take effect: Hypo

[gatorcsm]

How long once reaching 1.009 is there a noticeable effect? I have an angel in it right now, and he is doing fine, but the ick seems to be getting worse... Using an Alton Par digital hydrometer and a refractometer, both agreeing at 1.009
Thanks!

 

[beth]

Hyposalinity, or any meds for that matter, have no effect while the parasite is attached to fish. Once the ich falls off the fish and cycles into the "free-swimming" stage, then they will be irradicated by the hypo conditions.

 

[gatorcsm]

Thanks. So, how is it that there can be no visible ick, and then seemingly out of 'no where' a fish shows up with it... Is there a dormant stage? Or if for example, you go 2 months with nothing, and without a addition, is it possible for it to just 'spring up'?
Thanks again. You're always there with the best answers!

 

[gatorcsm]

One more quick question... What is the 2-4 weeks after the last ick is seen on fish based on? Is that a "re-quarantine" period, to ensure that it doesn't come back, or is it just there to make sure it's dead....?
Thanks again.

 

[beth]

Is there a dormant stage? Or if for example, you go 2 months with nothing, and without a addition, is it possible for it to just 'spring up'?
Not likely that you would go 2-3 mos, without any “additions” to the tank, and then ich springs up. Ich can come in on substrate or LR that has been exposed to ich, such as at a LFS that shares filtrations systems between tanks.
Is there a dormant stage?
There are 3 stages to ich, only one stage is the parasite visible—when it is attached to the fish. The life cycle of ich is around 23-days. Like a cold, one day you are feeling fine, the next day you’re down with the bug. No different with ich.
What is the 2-4 weeks after the last ick is seen on fish based on?
That is how long it takes to ensure irradiation for the parasite. Ich is not killed while it is “on the fish”, rather, the parasite must cycle thru to its “free-swimming” stage before it becomes vulnerable to treatments.