Where does ICH come from??

[tanker]

If your tank has never had Ich, and you did not introduce anything new (plants, water, fish, ect) can your fish still get Ich??

And can it go away on it's own??==Ex: A fish has Ich (one fish with it, but not other fish), you do go WC and feed good food, can the fish fight it off??

 

[Somervell]

I have heard the argument, (although I am not sure I belive it) that most fish harbor the parasite responsible for Ick-- it just becomes full blown in cases where fish are stressed or water conditions are irritating. Don't know if I believe this.

I have never heard of Ich untreated-- either by salt and heat or by medication going away spontaneously. The reproduction cycle has to be stopped. That is why Ich can spread so quickly thoughout a tank.

 

[RDTigger]

on just about anything in water..

it can be in the gravel/substrate floating in the water looking for a host...or dormant on your fish waiting for a dip in immunity..

 

[tanker]

Would it not die W/O a host??

 

[ODPILOT]

It IS in the fish. It doens't just exist in the water or gravel without a host. Just like humans, which harbor all sorts of viruses, bacteria and fungus -- these things don't affect us unless we're immune compromised (such as with HIV or perhaps a cancer patient undergoing Chemo). The parasite lives in the fish and is dormant until bad water conditions cause the fish to be under stress and then the parasite can take over.

 

[Slappy*McFish]

http://www.skepticalaquarist.com/docs/health/ich.shtml

 

[LeahK]

http://www.skepticalaquarist.com/docs/health/ich.shtml

Excellent article. I've had this one bookmarked for some time.
Scroll down to the section titled "The "dormant Ich" myth" to see material relevant to your question.

 

[tanker]

Wow!! Nice.

Thx Slappy