Ick spot?

Fishfinder · Dec 12, 2017

How long will a ick spot stay on a fish? I picked up a copperband and he had a white spot on his tail. Looks just like ick. But it has been there for 17-20 days. It hasn't moved and hasn't fallen off. He's in qt. How long can spots stay? I thought there was a defined life cycle. thanks for the helps @Humblefish @melypr1985

Doclight · Dec 12, 2017

Im not an expert.. but velvet is 24hours, ick should have spread within a few days. could be it just has a spot on its fin

going to watch this thread. should be interesting.

Maritimer · Dec 12, 2017

If it's been there that long, it's not ich.

It might be Lymphocystis, though. Those growths can become rather larger and cauliflower shaped, but there's no rule that says they have to ... and it's pretty common stuff with butterflies, and especially on the edges of their fins. Lymphocystis is a virus, and has no known cure - but it's roughly comparable to a human cold sore. If it's not a big growth in the fish's mouth, impeding feeding, it's usually not something to worry about.

~Bruce

Fishfinder · Dec 12, 2017

Maritimer said:
If it's been there that long, it's not ich.

It might be Lymphocystis, though. Those growths can become rather larger and cauliflower shaped, but there's no rule that says they have to ... and it's pretty common stuff with butterflies, and especially on the edges of their fins. Lymphocystis is a virus, and has no known cure - but it's roughly comparable to a human cold sore. If it's not a big growth in the fish's mouth, impeding feeding, it's usually not something to worry about.

~Bruce

I know butterflies are frequent to have lympho and this is at the tip of the tail. But it has not grown or changed. It is perfectly round and small

4FordFamily · Dec 12, 2017

Fishfinder said:
I know butterflies are frequent to have lympho and this is at the tip of the tail. But it has not grown or changed. It is perfectly round and small

Could still be lymph. Based on your description, I agree with @Maritimer this definitely sounds like lymph. It presents itself differently on different fish, but not moving for 20 days is definitely lymph, IMO

Fishfinder · Dec 12, 2017

That helps explain why 18 days of CP has not helped

4FordFamily · Dec 12, 2017

Fishfinder said:
That helps explain why 18 days of CP has not helped

Yup! If anything, it would help lymph as it would suppress the immune system. Not to worry though, when CP is over the lymph will go away in time — be it a week or a couple months.