| Ich is a very common ailment found among | | | | Slowly raise the temperature 2 degrees F every |
| tropical fish. It is not a disease, but rather a | | | | hour until you've reached 86 deg. F or if your fish |
| parasite that attaches its self to the body of a | | | | can tolerate higher, go to 89.5 deg. F for 3 or 4 |
| fish and eats the fluid and tissue. In the ocean | | | | days to kill the ich. If you raise the temperature |
| where the density of fish is low, these parasites | | | | to 89.5 deg. F lower it to 86 deg. F for the next |
| aren't a problem because they can't find a host | | | | 6 or 7 days. |
| very easily. In a home aquarium where the | | | | If you increase the temperature keep in mind |
| density of fish is much higher one parasite can | | | | that warm water increases metabolism creating a |
| destroy an entire tank. | | | | need for more oxygen, but warm water has |
| Symptoms - The most common symptom is | | | | lower levels of oxygen. Add oxygen to your fish |
| small white spots on the fish, other signs include | | | | tank by lowering the water level, you may need |
| slimy skin, frequent rubbing against other objects, | | | | to add an airstone as well. |
| slow and heavy breathing and loss of appetite. | | | | Ich can also be treated with medications found at |
| Treatment - Ich parasites have three different | | | | your local pet store. These medications are |
| stages in their life cycle, the trophozoite, trophant, | | | | generally effective, but some of them are only |
| and tomite. In only the tomite stage are they | | | | for freshwater aquariums or may not be safe for |
| vulnerable to treatment. These parasites also | | | | your kind of fish. Read the instructions carefully |
| react to different water temperatures. At 85 | | | | before purchasing or using any ich medication. |
| degrees F they will not attach onto a fish, will not | | | | Preventing ich is a simple as quarantining new fish |
| reproduce at 86 deg. F and die at 89.5 deg. F. | | | | for at least two weeks before adding them to |
| Most fish cannot tolerate 89.5 deg. F | | | | the main aquarium. Most cases of ich are caused |
| temperatures but raising the temperature to 86 | | | | by a new fish being infected with the parasite and |
| degrees for 10 days will most likely cure the | | | | spreading it to the rest of the fish. |
| problem since that is the life cycle of the parasite. | | | | |