Do snails get ich?

[sandyB]

Hi,

I am treating my aquarium for ich and have taken the snail out because the medication said it would harm them. After I treat the aquarium and put him back in, will he introduce ich back into the aquarium? I don't know if snails get ich or can carry it!
:girl:

 

[Shocker6966]

From what I've read, ich is a common waterborne parasite that is present in nearly all fish tanks. Normally a fish's slime coat protects it from such parasites but when this protective layer is compromised due to illness, injury, stress or poor water quality the parasites have the opportunity to break through the defenses and attach themselves to the fish. Quite likely, the snail will carry ich back to the tank, but assuming your fish are in good health by the time you return it, they should be fine. If you'd like to limit the amount of harmful microorganisms in your water, you could consider adding a UV purifier to your tank.

 

[sandyB]

Thank you so much for your answer. I'll be sure to make sure everyone seems happy and healthy before putting the snail back!

 

[didy]

It's a misconception that the parasite is an ever present, opportunistic one. It has to be introduced into the aquarium, and will die without a host.

Your snails won't get ich.

 

[sandyB]

Thank you for your reply to my snail ich problem. All was going well for 3 years until I added another fish. Yes, I know I should have quarantined him!

 

[kmail5776]

It's a misconception that the parasite is an ever present, opportunistic one. It has to be introduced into the aquarium, and will die without a host.

Your snails won't get ich.

Oh yeah, that's awesome. I assume the same applies to shrimp (that they con't get ich).

 

[didy]

Oh yeah, that's awesome. I assume the same applies to shrimp (that they con't get ich).

From what I've read, shrimp can't get it, either, but they are very sensitive to the treatment meds.

 

[kmail5776]

does salt count in the treatment meds category?

 

[Corbin]

No invert can get ich.. thats all you need to know

 

[RoseFishWatcher]

Yes, salt counts. Salt is an irritant to snails (in small doses) and harmful in large doses. Small, completely dissolved concentrations of salt are probably ok to use with snails, but to be on the safe side I think all inverts should be removed during any ich treatment. Don't know about salt and shrimp, but again, better to err on the safe side.