Sick Fish

[ptran]

Ich cannot survive without a host. If a host is not found within 48 to 60 hours, the parasite dies.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ichthyophthirius_multifiliis

Many sources say the life cycle of ich is around 1 to 8 weeks depend on tank temperature. Not sure where you read 48 to 60 hours? After feeding on the fish skin, they fall off and go thru their life cycle which takes about 80% time of their life. (i called this "dormant" stage because they don't attack fish in this stage).

In my experience, when my severum got ich infection (by the way he was the only one that is susceptible to ich in the tank, and no new fish or plants were introduced), I treated by raising temperature. The ich goes away, but then it came back a few more times. It didn't seem to bother my severum that much because I treated it early.

[mredman]

Ptran, I agree with you in that early treatment is the key to success.

Mike

[frusterdated]

Just did a water change, does anyone know what the strings hanging off the fish are and maybe whats wrong?

[mredman]

What did you use to treat the ich? It may give us a clue about the mystery strings.

Mike

[frusterdated]

I just did the heat and salt. They eventually all came off with the water flow. Not the first time I've noticed them on him

[frusterdated]

Cool, I think he will be alright. It's good that you treat it early.

Quickly turned bad last night. He can no longer keep himself upright. Started doing rolls and now floats upside down or lays at the bottom of the tank. 😟

[mredman]

Bad News

This is very bad news! Normally, if the only disease is ich, it can be cured within 10 days, depending on the temperature. I personally would not rely on just heat and salt. Severum are not normally difficult to catch so a hospital tank would have been ideal.

Mike

Quickly turned bad last night. He can no longer keep himself upright. Started doing rolls and now floats upside down or lays at the bottom of the tank. ��