leebca, is there a low temperature range where ich takes longer to cycle?

[peasofme]

i remember reading this but it could have been for freshwater ich. it said a lower temp could make ich take as long as 6 months to cycle or something. thanks

[leebca]

Thanks for posting this. So many hobbyists mix up what they know or have heard about Marine Ich, with what they know or have heard about freshwater ich. Since Marine Ich has similar white spots, it got the (wrong) name of Ich, too.

Anyway, all myths are addressed here: Marine Ich - Myths and Facts

Marine Ich is found in sea water at temperatures below 50F! It thrives and does equally well near underwater volcanoes over 90F. The rate of Marine Ich's life cycle is minimally affected by temperature. You can get a slightly faster cycle rate over 85F but then, the fish would die or be severely stressed.

Similarly, if you lower the temperature, it will slightly slow down the cycle of Marine Ich. Hence it is recommended that, while a tank is going fishless for the recommended 8 weeks to kill off the parasite, that the temperature of the tank be kept in the tropical temperature zone. However, neither higher or lower temps have that great an effect on Marine Ich.

Freshwater ich however is greatly influenced by temperature. In fact, at about 85F it dies. At higher temps it will go through its cycle very quickly and at lower temps, very slowly.