The difference between ich & velvet

[Humblefish]

Many people have a hard time telling the difference between ich & velvet, or incorrectly assume all "white spots" are ich. Below are some pics of a Hippo Tang - the first one has ich, the next 4 show velvet.

Ich (Cryptocaryon irritans) - Oval shaped white dots, can usually be counted. These remain on the fish for 3-7 days before dropping off to continue their lifecycle.

Velvet (Amyloodinium ocellatum) - Smaller round white dots. Oftentimes completely covering the fish & too numerous to be counted. These remain 12 hrs - 4 days before dropping off. Velvet is a far deadlier, more dangerous pathogen than ich.

Thank you to @jmt1030 for allowing me to use these images.

 

[aykwm]

Excellent topic to do as most velvet infections are misdiagnosed as ich and usually it ends badly. Although ich and velvet are both fatal and should be treated using same medications and not only treat velvet infected fish only, but some people think ich is not dangerous or it is caused by stress.

Keep up the great content.

 

[revhtree]

This is great stuff Bobby!

 

[Tahoe61]

Thanks Humblefish for taking the time to make it so clear. .

 

[Scarybo]

Great info!

 

[Paul B]

Velvet is more plush while ich is just ickier

 

[salty150]

Is there any "one" medication, or even a group of medications you can use together - to get rid of both so you don't have to wonder which is which?

 

[Maritimer]

Well, ich _looks_ pretty icky, but velvet has it beat where it counts.

It's great to have the distinction so clearly laid out!

Salty150, both copper and CP (Chloroquine Phosphate) treat both ich and velvet - but as velvet can go from zero to lethal so quickly, the protocol for treatment is a bit different.

~Bruce

 

[salty150]

Salty150, both copper and CP (Chloroquine Phosphate) treat both ich and velvet - but as velvet can go from zero to lethal so quickly, the protocol for treatment is a bit different.

~Bruce

What is the best source of CP (Chloroquine Phosphate) ?

 

[Maritimer]

Ah, there's the rub.

In the U.S., CP is only available by prescription, from a Veterinarian. If you can get a 'scrip, Diamondback Drugs is a source that comes well-recommended.

~Bruce

 

[4FordFamily]

Great illustration, this should be a sticky!

 

[Jizu Puentes]

Does velvet stay on a system the same as ich does?

 

[SaltLifer]

Are they only introduced to the system by fish that have it already? Can they be on corals/inverts?

 

[melypr1985]

Does velvet stay on a system the same as ich does?

They have a life cycle just like ich does. As long as a fish is present in the tank the life cycle will continue and be there to infect new fish.

Are they only introduced to the system by fish that have it already? Can they be on corals/inverts?

Yes to all of it. Fish can bring it into the system (which is why QT is so important) and corals and inverts with a hard surface (such as skeleton, frag plug, rock and shrimp and crabs ect) can bring it into the system (which is why an invert/coral QT is very important).

 

[Humblefish]

QT protocol for defeating velvet can be found here: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/velvet-amyloodinium-ocellatum.217570/#post-2499437

It is highly successful if you start treatment in time; however it took me many years and many fish lives were lost as I worked out the kinks. So, I dedicate it to them.

 

[SaltLifer]

Does coral dip or Bayer have any effect on it? My LFS QT's all their fish and treats with copper and prezi. So I don't. But every once in a while I just grab a couple snails or crabs and toss them in. Obviously the copper will kill them so what do you do to QT them? Just wait and see if they die or not?

 

[melypr1985]

Does coral dip or Bayer have any effect on it? My LFS QT's all their fish and treats with copper and prezi. So I don't. But every once in a while I just grab a couple snails or crabs and toss them in. Obviously the copper will kill them so what do you do to QT them? Just wait and see if they die or not?

No. Coral dips will not effect it. Read this. it should help explain everything involved. How to Quarantine Coral and Inverts

 

[Maritimer]

Keep the corals & inverts in a separate (completely fishless) system for 76 days.

Any ich or velvet tomonts will have hatched out, found nothing to eat - and died, hungry and childless.

~Bruce

 

[Sistawolf]

Great illustration, this should be a sticky!

Agree!! Just a genius

 

[bottspot]

I believe I got velvet as I lost 13 fish in 3 days Was able to pull out all fish but my Lubbock wrasse. Cardinal and damsel survived in QT. Wrasse did not get treatment. Was unable to keep DT fallow due to wrasse. Did not think of shrimp, inverts or corals in the DT carrying velvet. Have moved cardinal& damsel back. Does this mean I should not add any fish to this tank as velvet is waiting for new fish, inverts etc. and my surviving fish are now immune?