Mike’s Fish Tank – Ich

This is the time of year when a lot of people have fish catching ick, due to varying temperatures.

Ichthyophthirius multifiliis is an ectoparasite of freshwater fish which causes a disease commonly known as white spot disease or ich. Ich is one of the most common and persistent diseases in fish. It appears on the body, fins and gills of fish as white nodules that look like white grains of salt. Each white spot is an encysted parasite.

If not controlled, there is a 100% mortality rate of fish. With careful treatment, the disease can be gotten rid of. But the protozoa damages the gills and skin as it enters the tissues, leading to ulceration and loss of skin. Severe infections rapidly lead to loss of condition and death. Damage to the gills reduces the respiratory efficiency of the fish, reducing its oxygen intake from the water. This causes the fish to become less tolerant to low oxygen concentrations in the water.

Ich is a stress disease. Stresses like water temps going down or up, fish being chased by bully fish. Tapping or hitting the glass tank can all cause ich.

Check your fish carefully daily. Treating the ich fast is the key to not losing any fish.

Pets A Plenty is located on Rte 281 Cortland, across from Tops Market in the TJ Nails Plaza. 753-9213. Open 7 days a week. We now have a website. www.petsaplety.biz. check it out. I post care sheets, coupons, new animal arrivals, contests and more. Any questions, email me at friskyy@hotmail.com

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