Ich in fish is a skin disease infecting tropical fish and other types of fish all over the world. The name Ich means “fish louse with many children” and this infection appears on the fishes skin as small white spots. The spots may look like sand at first but if you notice your fish behaving rather strangely by rubbing themselves against rocks or gravel in the tank it could be an indication and symptoms of the ich disease found in fish.
Ich can go unnoticed if it is in its early stages on a fish but the more severe cases of ich can be spotted easily through a fishes behavior or the appearance of the white spots. These white spots on the fishes skin are actually small cysts that have been caused by tiny parasites getting inside the fish skin and feeding on blood and dead cells. Keeping the fish water at a constant temperature and feeding your fish a robust diet are ways of ensuring the ich disease does not infect your fish or return if you have treated them earlier.
If you have noticed these white, salt like spots on your fish or for some reason you are concerned that they may have somehow contracted this disease do not worry too much. This disease is extremely common in many fish species and the best thing to do is to go down to your local pet shop and speak to someone with experience in fish diseases and in particular ich in fish.