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                            Ich

        The parasite Ichthyophthirius, commonly known as Ich or white spot, is a very common fish disease capable of affecting nearly all fish species. It has a rather complex life cycle that has a major bearing on treatment methods. The Ich trophont (feeding form) forms a lump under the skin or gill epithelium (The term "epithelium" refers to cells that line hollow organs and glands and which make up the outer surface of the body). 

        This trophont moves and turns under the skin, feeding on destroyed cells and body fluids. The parasite feeds until mature, at which point is makes its way out of the skin. It then attaches itself to an object in the tank and forms a shell around itself. Inside this shell, the tomont, as it is now called, continually divides, producing up to 1000 tomites which 'hatch' from the shell and swim to find a fish host. When they do find a fish host, they burrow into the fish's skin and the cycle starts all over again. 

    The Ich can damage the fish when the trophont enters and leaves the fish's body and when it feeds on the body fluid and damaged cells. Also, a bacterial or fungal infection can develop where the trophont enters and leaves the skin. 

Identifying Ich

        White cysts, each containing an active trophont, appear as tiny white bumps on the skin, gills and fins. Some other features may include a lighter, horseshoe shaped nucleus and short cilia covering the entire body.

        In early stages of Ich, fish are likely to flash and rub against objects and substrate because of the irritation. In the later stage, they will become sluggish and spend most of their time sitting on the bottom.

Treatment

        At the first signs of Ich, slowly raise the temperature of the tank to around 85^o . Raising the temperature will quicken the life cycle of the Ich as the duration of the life cycle is directly dependent on the temperature. Add about 1-2 teaspoons of salt to the tank. (halve that amount if there are corydoras in the tank as they do not take well to salt) Take any carbon out of the filters and begin treatment with an Ich medicine. Follow the directions carefully and fully. If it says to treat for  a certain amount of time and the tank looks clear before the end of treatment, keep treating the tank. When treatment is up, you can replace your carbon to remove the medication.