omg... the Ich is back . What's the deal?!?!? I need help.

[bulletsworld]

Originally Posted by danny zubot

I just got a reply back from RC regarding ick parasites. They said that they can take up to 24 days to hatch at tropical temp. And up to 72 days at sub tropical temps. This must be why it is sometimes recommended that the temp in the tank be raised to speed up the process.

Yeah RC rocks! Yup, I have found raising the temp does speed up the life cycle of the parasite. Of course their is down sides to it though. If the fish is to heavily infected raising the temperature does also raise the fish metabolism making the fish play harder, want to eat more, BUT increases breathing. If the fish is heavily infected... the high temp and the Ick on the gills make it hard for the fish to breathe.

But you have to ask also why you would want to speed the cycle. You can do this to ease the fish from the infection and first sign of the infection lessing then put in QT to treat right away. BUT if you leave the fish in the same infected tank your only going to get ich again, right?

Another treatment option to ponder is "Three Day Transfer Method." Now I have tried this... and found it only worked if it was one fish being treated. As I discovered myself that having more then one fish in the transfer at the same time could control the parasite (at time Velvet, Aka killer) but it never truly rid the parasite gone.

Also it is noted its extremely stressful to fish. I don't use nets if possible though and try to never expose to air, which helped with stress. This treatment is done in about 15days but the equiptment & time you need to set it up and keep tubs set up is just a headache in itself.

Can read about it here. http://www.petsforum.com/personal/tr...ytransfer.html