What does it mean when a fish has Ick?
What is Fish Ick? The scientific name for ich is ichthyophthirius multifiliis, but is often called ‘white spot disease’ or ‘ick.’ It is a protozoan parasitic disease that freshwater fish in tanks tend to get when they are in closer contact with other aquariums species, or when they’re under stress.
What happens to a fish that has Ich?
The fish develop secondary bacterial infections – Since the Ich parasites feed off of the host’s flesh, each white spot leaves behind miniature wounds that have no protective slime coat on them. This makes each Ich survivor prone to lethal bacterial or fungal infections.
Can a healthy fish carry the ICK disease?
Healthy fish are also able to carry the Ick disease without showing any behavioural changes. In this case you should wait for visible signs to show. Ich Treatment
When does ich or white spot disease on freshwater fish appear?
The disease is opportunistic and commonly appears when fish are weak or stressed, so try to identify why your fish got ich in the first place. Did you introduce new fish to your aquarium without quarantining them first?
What happens when you put an Ich in a fish?
The Ich burrows into fish, feeding on the skin and tissue, causing irritation. As it burrows into the flesh of your fish, it causes a wound. Your fish tries to protect itself and a white, crusty wall seals the Ich in.
Which is the correct name for fish Ick?
It’s quite a mouthful, so we abbreviate it for good reason. You will also see it being spelt as Ich or Ick, both of which are considered correct. Another name often used is White Spot Disease. The name refers to a parasite which lives in our aquariums and also out in the wild.
The disease is opportunistic and commonly appears when fish are weak or stressed, so try to identify why your fish got ich in the first place. Did you introduce new fish to your aquarium without quarantining them first?
Healthy fish are also able to carry the Ick disease without showing any behavioural changes. In this case you should wait for visible signs to show. Ich Treatment
