CichlidFish.com - Fish That Think.

Ichthyophthirius multifiliis is a species of ciliate protozoa which parasitizes freshwater fish. This parasite covers the entire globe. It is probably the most common aquarium fish disease and there are few Aquarists that have not met it on one or more occasions. "Ich" (the colloquially abbreviated form of the name) is the largest known parasitic protozoan found on fishes. Adult organisms are oval or round and measure 0.5 to 1.0 mm in size. The adult is uniformly ciliated and contains a horseshoe-shaped nucleus which can be seen in older individuals. The disease it causes is usually called ich or white spot, and becomes especially serious in enclosed areas, where it spreads quickly from one fish to another. Ich is the disease responsible for the most fatalities in freshwater aquarium fish and can cause notable damage to aquaculture. Marine ich is caused by an unrelated ciliate, Cryptocaryon.

After approximately one week of parasitism, mature trophozoites leave their host, settle to a substrate and secrete a cyst. The encysted cell, called a tomont, undergoes rapid division over approximately twenty-four hours to produce 600-1000 daughter cells called tomites. Once these reach maturity, they exit the cyst and develop into a theront stage, which is highly mobile. Theronts then infect new fish, digging their way into exposed parts, under the scales, or more commonly into its gill plate. The entire life-cycle takes about seven to ten days to complete.

[b]Please be aware that if you have pleco's, cory cats, apple snails, frogs, crabes or other non fish in your tank, please use these meds: Rid-Ich OR Ich Guard OR remove them to another tank and medicate at half dose..[/b]

For more infomation and TREATMENTS.. Go here:

[url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ichthyophthirius#Diagnosis][u]link[/u][/url]


[b]Another good information site that wil help you understand what your fish are fighting and more treatment options[/b]

[url=http://www.fish-disease.net/articles/understanding_ich.php][u]link[/u][/url]


[b]Dr Foster Smith has some good information and what meds you need to treat them with[/b]


[url=http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?dept_id=&aid=443][u]link[/u][/url]