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So since my fish have developed ich, I read the disease profile on it. It says that "Once cured, a host can develop an immunity, but may still be a passive carrier." Does this mean that a fish that has already had ich does not get it again? Also, how does ich kill a fish? How long does it normally take to get rid of it? What's the best med to use to get rid of it?
Sorry for all the questions, but I kind of believe that knowledge is the best weapon against stuff like this and since I know absolutely NOTHING about fish disease, I'm trying to get a crash course before I lose any fish.
Thanks for any and all help...It's super appreciated!
Jen

There are "thoughts", Jen, that once a fish contracts ich, the trop can build up an immunity to the parasite...

Then there are "thoughts" that the parasite embeds itself somewhere within the gill structure only to return and haunt the fish once more.

It would seem that those who have those "thoughts" never took into account that there are several species of the ich parasite, some of which may, or may not, have reappearance powers.

Just to add to the confusion, I've seen many trops reinfected by the ich parasite only to survive to swim another day once again with treatment.

How does ich kill a fish?? It doesn't.

Well, not directly. By burrowing into the trop's skin to feed and reproduce, the parasite creates a porous invitation for fungus to invade the open wounds.

Eventually, covered by burrowing and escaping parasites, the fish becomes covered with fungus, and that's the cause of death.

Best meds to fight ich?? All hobbyists have their favorites. They figure if the med they bought stops the parasite and kills the eggs before they hatch at the bottom of the tank, that's the best med for them.

The ich parasite has a dislike for heat. Some meds will request that the tank temp be raised at least to 82 degrees while many experienced hobbyists would prefer 86 degrees. Some meds claim they require no heat increase.

Infected trops cannot be moved or isolated from the host tank. The whole tank must be treated with an ich med, such as "Rid Ich Plus", which may take a week to ten days to be effective.

It's true, if you haven't heard, that all fish in the tank will not contract ich. Why?? There's the immunity thing again; either from very healthy fish, choosy parasites, or just plain luck.

--garyroland.