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I've noticed that it seems that a lot of people have lost fish to ich. I've had atleast 4 times and I haven't lost a single fish to ich. Also I've seen that people said that the fish developed it overnight and died. Is this very common. Is ich really that deadly.

I've also never lost a fish to ich... delt with it once in three different tanks. Each time treatment was started as soon as I noticed the cycsts and directions were followed exactly as given.

If we consider what causes ich (namely stress) then it's not surprising that fish may die if not treated promptly and properly. An environment of stress may help ward of the common cold in humans but often is bad for fish period. Once in a stressful environment (poor tank conditions or a bad acclimation or any other causes of stress) the fish will have to deal with the stressor as well as the ich that was able to gain a foothold (or finhold) due to the stress. Additionally if we consider the fact that medications can only kill the ich once it seems to have dissapeared (ie fallen off the fish) then it's no surprise that someone might mistakenly think they've cured the condition and stop treatment early.

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greenmonkey51

I posted this several months ago I consider it a very useful guide.

White-spot” Parasite, Ichthyophthirius multifiliis

This disease is easy to recognise, as the skin of the infected fish becomes covered with white spots, each the size of a pinhead. Each spot represents the site of one, or sometimes two, parasites. All parts of the body gills, may be attacked.

The causative agent is named Ichthyophthirius multifiliis. It is a spherical and large by protozoan standards, measuring up to 1mm in diameter. Short, hair-like processes known as cilia are spread densely over the surface. A horseshoe-shape nucleus is also present which is clearly visible under the microscope.

By the means of the cilia the parasite rotates vigorously and burrows into the surface layer (epidermis) of its host. It feeds on skin cells and surface debris. The burrowing action causes a local irritation and the epidermis grows across the parasite to enclose it, thus forming a “White Spot”

Reproduction occurs away from the host. After maturing in the skin, which takes a few days to three weeks, depending on the temperature, the parasite bores out, swims away and comes to rest on a submerged object such as a stone, or plant. Here it forms a jelly-like cyst within which a series of rapid cell divisions take place. In a few hours, several hundred daughter cells or swarmers, are produced, which break out of the cyst to find a new host. Alighting on the skin, they burrow in to recommence the life cycle. If they fail to find a host within three to four days, they perish.

Symptoms
If the protozoan is introduced into a tank containing healthy fish, little harm may occur, other than a fleeting infection with a few parasites. If however, the fishes are already weakened for some other reason, e.g. lack of oxygen, the parasite will quickly cover the whole body surface, causing irritation and opening up wounds for secondary infections. The host mobility may become affected. In sever cases, death may result.

Prevention
If white-spot appears in an otherwise healthy tank, the parasite “must” have been introduced either as an adult on a newly acquired fish, or as the cyst form on, for example new stones, a plant or even added water. The only certain method of prevention, is to quarantine all new stock, including stones, plants etc; preferably in water at a temperature of 77F. Allow one week’s quarantine.

Treatments
There are too many treatments today to recommend any specific one. Many can be bought easily at aquarium outlets.


Several very interesting points to think about.

Very easy to recognise.
Its reproduction cycle.
No host they will die.
If introduced into a healthy tank little harm may occur.
Pay attention to all tank details.
Weakened fish, and lack of oxygen can/may and will cause sever deaths. All this is usually caused by poor tank maintenance and/or incorrect and faulty equipment.
Prevention is the best cure
A Parasite “must” be introduced into the tank.


Keith

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i had my share of ich..but never lost any fish to it...i guess...those that experienced lost was that they dont observe they fish on a daily basis..coz..ich is so easy to recognise if u even spend like 2-5 minutes a day looking at the fish...

I lost one fish to ich, which is how I got here! Years ago I got a couple of neon tetras and they introduced ich to my tank. One of the new neons died (although I guess I'll never know if it was the ich or just the stress) but none of the fish already in the tank did.

Because ich is a parasite that gets a foothold as a result of stress, a new fish that is already stressed and compromised can die fairly easily. However ich in an established tank is probably less dangerous because the fish are less stressed/healthier to begin with.