Ich Question

[solitude127]

How long does a tank need to be fishless for in order for the ich to go away?

 

[HumbleFish]

How long does a tank need to be fishless for in order for the ich to go away?

Opinions vary, but I say at least 10 weeks just to be on the safe side.

 

[solitude127]

Opinions vary, but I say at least 10 weeks just to be on the safe side.

Thanks for chiming in

 

[solitude127]

Another question.
If 2 fish in the tank have ich (but were removed once I saw it), does that mean all the other fish are infected? Since removing the infected fish, the remaining fish haven't shown any signs.

 

[scuzy]

most likely they are infected

 

[HumbleFish]

Another question.
If 2 fish in the tank have ich (but were removed once I saw it), does that mean all the other fish are infected? Since removing the infected fish, the remaining fish haven't shown any signs.

It's highly likely if they aren't infected already, they will be soon. Just removing the 2 infected fish didn't remove the Ich from your tank. It's still there in the rock, sand, etc. Which is why it's necessary to go fallow (fishless) to starve it out. Ich will only die when it's robbed of a fish host to feed on. As for not seeing symptoms, Ich will sometimes live in the gills and not show itself under the skin - for months.

 

[solitude127]

It's highly likely if they aren't infected already, they will be soon. Just removing the 2 infected fish didn't remove the Ich from your tank. It's still there in the rock, sand, etc. Which is why it's necessary to go fallow (fishless) to starve it out. Ich will only die when it's robbed of a fish host to feed on. As for not seeing symptoms, Ich will sometimes live in the gills and not show itself under the skin - for months.

Thanks for your insight

 

[MrTuskfish]

Ich being visible is not an indicator ich's presence. Tanks or systems have ich; not just individual fish.