How long will ich survive w/out fish?

[chrisblack2k2]

How long will Ich survive in a tank with no fish? I moved my sick fish to a quarintine tank, so I have an empty tank that had ich in it... how long should i wait to put anything in it? I changed all the water and thouroughly swept the gravel... same plants still in it...

 

[mayreee]

I am not sure but make sure you are adding something to feed the good bacteria are you are going to start your cycle over again.

 

[RTR]

Totally depenedent on water temperature - at 80F, 10 days should be a margin of safety but I would allow 2 weeks. Below 70F, much longer. Below 60F, multiple weeks.

Agree with mayree of feeding the tank/nitrification bacteria.

 

[hey]

I thought ich was present in all water, though it just doesnt show on the fish until they get stressed

 

[Slappy*McFish]

That's just one of the many age-old myths that makes RTR's skin crawl.

 

[sky.eyes.woman]

I thought ich was present in all water, though it just doesnt show on the fish until they get stressed

You're thinking of fungus, not ich.

 

[RTR]

Ich is a protozoan parasite. It is an obligate parasite and cannot survive without a host. There is no resting or dormant stage of this particular parasite.

It is possible to have a subclinical infection (no externally visible spots) as the parasite prefers the gills as an attachment site.

 

[chrisblack2k2]

RTR,

I know Ich is a parasite and needs a host to survive, but it is possible to tranfer it into your tank via plants and such, correct? How long would you quarentine a plant before introducing it into your tank?

Chris

 

[the_dougie]

in the free swimming stage, the parasite must find a host within two days or it dies. if theres any in the gravel, it will quickly break into many more and then enter the free swimming stage. So basically, if theres none left on the fish (that are visible or whatever) give your tank at least a week and you will be in the clear.

 

[deocder]

RTR,

I know Ich is a parasite and needs a host to survive, but it is possible to tranfer it into your tank via plants and such, correct? How long would you quarentine a plant before introducing it into your tank?

Chris

It is possible to bring it in on a plant. Many people suggest dipping plants in a potassium permanganate solution to take care of any hitch hikers. I take my chances and get ICH..... :thud: