Ich questions

[Nikko]

Just a few random questions that have come to mind...

Does Ich need substrate after leaving the fish to reproduce? If not, is that the logic behind why QT tanks are supposed to be bare bottom?

Are the white specks on fish actually the ich, or a symptom of the ich feeding on the fish?

I understand ich can't use an invert as a live host, but can ich still attach itself to the invert when it's in the reproduction phase of the cycle?

Thanks ahead of time for your time!!

 

[Big_Macc]

Just a few random questions that have come to mind...

Does Ich need substrate after leaving the fish to reproduce? If not, is that the logic behind why QT tanks are supposed to be bare bottom?

Are the white specks on fish actually the ich, or a symptom of the ich feeding on the fish?

I understand ich can't use an invert as a live host, but can ich still attach itself to the invert when it's in the reproduction phase of the cycle?

Thanks ahead of time for your time!!

The ich does not need a substrate to reproduce. Its just easier to clean the hospital tank without substrate.

The cyst stage can be carried by inverts, so keeping the tank fish free for 72 days is the best option.

I believe the white spots are partially the fish's immuno response to the infection. Sometimes the spots disappear after the ich has moved on to the next stage.

We are in month one of quarantine. I have 2 clowns and two fire gobies in a hospital tank, waiting for the ich to cycle out of the display.

 

[Maritimer]

Just a few random questions that have come to mind...

Does Ich need substrate after leaving the fish to reproduce? If not, is that the logic behind why QT tanks are supposed to be bare bottom?

The substrate ich needs is "anything hard". Sand and rock, sure, but also glass, PVC fittings, or the insides of filters. Substrate absorbs copper, though, making treatment by that method rather difficult in a tank containing sand and rock.

Are the white specks on fish actually the ich, or a symptom of the ich feeding on the fish?

Big_Macc's got the right of this - much of what you see on the fish isn't the actual parasite, but rather the fish's skin, scales and mucous buildup. The parasite itself is buried a little deeper, and feeding - which is why shrimp and cleaner fish won't really help here.

I understand ich can't use an invert as a live host, but can ich still attach itself to the invert when it's in the reproduction phase of the cycle?

"Anything hard" - so the shells of things like snails and crabs qualify. Echinoderms, not-so-much, apparently. Snails should ideally be kept in a fish-free QT for 76 days, as should hermits - unless they trade out their shells. Non-hermit crabs and shrimps could be moved to the display after their first moult.

Thanks ahead of time for your time!!

~Bruce

 

[Nikko]

The substrate ich needs is "anything hard". Sand and rock, sure, but also glass, PVC fittings, or the insides of filters. Substrate absorbs copper, though, making treatment by that method rather difficult in a tank containing sand and rock.



Big_Macc's got the right of this - much of what you see on the fish isn't the actual parasite, but rather the fish's skin, scales and mucous buildup. The parasite itself is buried a little deeper, and feeding - which is why shrimp and cleaner fish won't really help here.



"Anything hard" - so the shells of things like snails and crabs qualify. Echinoderms, not-so-much, apparently. Snails should ideally be kept in a fish-free QT for 76 days, as should hermits - unless they trade out their shells. Non-hermit crabs and shrimps could be moved to the display after their first moult.



~Bruce

Thanks a ton for the info guys!! I appreciate it.

 

[Nikko]

The ich does not need a substrate to reproduce. Its just easier to clean the hospital tank without substrate.

The cyst stage can be carried by inverts, so keeping the tank fish free for 72 days is the best option.

I believe the white spots are partially the fish's immuno response to the infection. Sometimes the spots disappear after the ich has moved on to the next stage.

We are in month one of quarantine. I have 2 clowns and two fire gobies in a hospital tank, waiting for the ich to cycle out of the display.

Thank you!