[FishKid]

where does ick come from? Do they come spontaneously, or only when you add a new fish? I've noticed that if the heater goes off, and the temp drops, ick just appears (this was in a freshwater community) Could that also be the case?

mark

[icemark]

Fresh water ick and salt water ick are really two different bugs. It is sort of a generic name for a particular type of parasite.

All fish are exposed to some degree to the appropriate versions of parasites in nature and often because of stress, and additional exposure in wholesalers tanks it becomes rampent.

Most tanks have some already in the system, but healthy fish seldom have problems with it and can shrug off most minor occurrences. But if the fish becomes sickly or over stressed (maybe because the tank change temp too far, or it just spent 3 hours in a bag) so that its immune systems are down any parasite can soon over run the fish; just like when you get worn out you are more likely to catch a flu or cold.

[Bughead]

Joaco has excelent info on ich on his website dealing with hyposalinity. I didn't check, so I hope it's still there. www.wyx.com/iheo/tank/hyposalinity.htm