Ich Popping Up

[Woodchuck12]

I see a lot of people saying that ich is stress related. But if you have a system that has never had ich in it, is it possible for it to pop up? Sorry if it's a stupid question.

Thanks, Charlie

[EllieSuz]

The only stupid question is one you don't ask. No, Ich has to be introduced to the tank, usually from an infected fish. The symptoms can be easy to miss, such as when the parasite is inside the gills. That's why we quarantine all fish in a separate tank for a minimum of six weeks and only introduce them to the Display Tank when they have either been symptom free for that length of time or treated/medicated in the QT. Do you now have signs of Ich in your tank?

[andrewey]

EllieSuz is right about QT, as its a very important factor- however, Ich can still exist in the tank depending on what else you've brought into the tank previously. It can remain dormant on a fish showing no symptoms, but when stress hits- BAM. That's why its good to always QT every fish, as fish can be carriers, and new stressed out fish can catch ich from "healthy" older fish.

[Woodchuck12]

My tank isn't set up and probably won't be for a little while, so I'm doing all of my homework now.

[Palting]

Originally Posted by Woodchuck12

My tank isn't set up and probably won't be for a little while, so I'm doing all of my homework now.

Excellent! The best way to avoid Ich, or most diseases, in your tank is to quarantine.

[OTOWN78]

I am currently helping my sister with her ICH and it is no fun, so Kudos to you for doing your homework.. Poor water conditions, or stressed will definitely cause an outbreak.
One of the hardest parts is trying to catch all the fish to quarantine.. We had to take down most of the rock just to catch the fish.. Since you are studying Ich, look into velvet and or Brook.. This should cover your bases! Good Luck.

[MrTuskfish]

If you keep ich out from day one; you never have to worry about it in the DT. A tank either has ich or it doesn't. If it does, it will explode, the only question is when. I agree with the above posts regarding a QT; but there are many reasons, other than ich, to always use a QT too. IMO & IME, failure to use a good QT regimen has probably caused more folks to leave this great hobby than any other single factor.

[snorvich]

+1 with above.

[Woodchuck12]

I definitely will be using a QT, and I will also read up on Velvet and Brook.

Thanks, Charlie

[ohiofishkeeping]

ich is in the ocean were fish are happy for the most part. its like a jerk their always going to be their you just gotta deal with it

[MrTuskfish]

Originally Posted by ohiofishkeeping

ich is in the ocean were fish are happy for the most part. its like a jerk their always going to be their you just gotta deal with it

The comparison makes no sense. Fish on the reef never deal with ich at the levels in can reach in a home tank; that's why so many fish are lost to it. Ich doesn't have to be a problem, and shouldn't be.

[sjwitt]

MrTuskfish & snorvich, question for the two of you... I have read in a couple of places that ich can be present in a healthy fish (to the couple of posts above) and remain dormant. It sounds like you're saying that's not true, right?

[ReeferKimberly]

This is just MY experience with Marine Ich. Which is not a ton. I don't have a QT tank and I had an outbreak. I only have two little fish. What I did is did 10-15% water change every day until it went away, and it did. I have always had a basic philosophy with diseases in fish, and that is prevention is the best cure (they wouldn't have got it if I had changed their water a bit sooner). Also, I rarely use medicines (some cases I do). Anyways, so noticed some flashing from my dottyback, then a few tell-tale ich bumps. Started the daily small water changes and it's a month later and no sign of ich. I just assume there is ALWAYS ich present (maybe it's not but I don't assume that) so I keep up with water changes pretty often, about 2 gallons every 3-4 days (since I have a small tank and no sump or fuge) and I have not seen it again. I wholeheartedly believe they can beat it IF the changes are started at the first sign of infection. Once they are covered with it, things change dramaticly...then i'd medicate (copper) and QT.

[Palting]

Originally Posted by sjwitt

MrTuskfish & snorvich, question for the two of you... I have read in a couple of places that ich can be present in a healthy fish (to the couple of posts above) and remain dormant. It sounds like you're saying that's not true, right?

The question wasn't addressesd to me, but Ill try and answer it for you, and snorvich and tuskfish can confirm or deny it.

"Dormant" and "healthy fish" aren't exactly the right words. Ich can be present but be "unseen" in the fish when they are imbedded deep in the fish flesh or in their gills, but they are not dormant and continue to feed on the fish. The fish may look healthy, but usually exhibit signs of the dsease, sch as jerking, darting, or rubbing on rocks. That's why QT is important. And, IMO, most hobbyists are not expert enough to detect the signs of hudden ich and need to prophykacticaly trwat for it. IMO

[Palting]

Man, ay kent ispel tu sabe may layf.

[ReeferKimberly]

Originally Posted by Palting

prophykacticaly trwat for it. IMO

I know you weren't trying to be funny, but you still made me lulz. Especially because I actually googled that.

[sleepydoc]

To the OP - good for you for doing your homework! If you go to the disease section of the forum, there are several good stickies to read on ich and other diseases

[MrTuskfish]

Originally Posted by sjwitt

MrTuskfish & snorvich, question for the two of you... I have read in a couple of places that ich can be present in a healthy fish (to the couple of posts above) and remain dormant. It sounds like you're saying that's not true, right?

Some fish can develop temporary immunity to some strains of ich and some fish seem to have immune systems that can fight off ich in small numbers. However; this is only temporary. The tank may go a considerable time with no visible signs of ich, but the parasite is still there and going through its life-cycle. All it takes is one parasite in the gills of a fish, to keep the ich population alive. Then; possibly do to a loss of temporary immunity, stressor (power outage, new aggression, heater failure, new fish, etc., etc.) or just the strength of the ich population; the ich population explodes and all the fish are in danger. There have been countless posts of hobbyists on our Forum who tried to manage ich and failed. If ich is in your tank, its going to be a huge problem, the only question is "when".