ich in saltwater

[lefty53]

I have a question about ich. In freshwater if you keep a little salt in the tank it helps prevent ich. Why doesnt this seem to help in saltwater? What causes this. I am waiting for my live rock to arrive to cycle my tank and would like to prevent any outbreaks of any kind when I get fish in my tank. Thanks

[Ninong]

Because these are two different but very similar parasites. The one that causes freshwater ich is Ichthyophthirius multifilis and the one that causes saltwater ich is Cryptocaryon irritans.

[lefty53]

Do you know what causes it and how it is prevented?

[Ninong]

It is caused by a ciliated protozoan called Cryptocaryon irritans. Check out my post here for the answers to all of your questions about ich.