Ich Question

[wright4lfe]

Okay-

I think i one of my lyretail swordtails is coming down with ich. this is the first time since i have been in the hobby (a few years now) that i've run into this problem.

my question is this. my swordtail is in a planted tank with a couple other swordtails and a couple paradise gourami's. should i place the ich-infested swordtail in a hospital tank or should i just treat the planted tank with all the fish in it and hope none of the plants are affected by the treatement?

why say all of you fish freaks...

 

[Psyhampster]

If you have the tank, I'd definitely advise the hospital tank.

 

[wright4lfe]

but if one fish is infected isn't the entire tank infected? i mean, isn't that what everyone says about buying fish from a LFS, i.e. if one fish in the tank is infected, don't buy any from that tank because they're all infected...?

 

[Psyhampster]

I'd set up the hospital tank, put the one that shows signs of disease in it, and then if others start to show symptoms, put them in also. I'm not an expert on this, so hopefully someone who knows more will stop in.

 

[Menagerie]

It's best to treat the entire tank when dealing with ich. The heat and salt method is reliable and effective. increase the agitation of the water's surface to ensure enough oxygen is dissolving into the water and all will be well. The plants shoudl bounce back after treatment, if they are affected at all.
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/showquestion.php?faq=2&fldAuto=32

 

[Apocalypse_Gold]

Ich never affects just one fish. You may only see it on one but the whole tank must be treated. Ich likes to infest the gills as well as the skin. If your swordtail is weak or is getting picked on by other fish it is a good idea to move him and treat both tanks. The heat and salt methods works best. Check out the article. Many plant will tolerate it, ich won't.

 

[wright4lfe]

okay, tel me if this sounds like the right plan of attack...

slowly raise the temp of tank, while also adding the recommended salt to the tank. do this for 7-14 days. also, do water changes every other day.

 

[Menagerie]

I follow my normal PWC schedule when treating ich, unless things go downhill. Once the temp is raised, leave it that way for two weeks after the last ich spot is seen.

 

[wright4lfe]

is it normal to see what look like burn marks on the scales of the fish? the ich spots seem to be going away, but white blotchy marks are still on the scales...

 

[Menagerie]

No, that doesn't sound right. Can you post a picture?

 

[wright4lfe]

i will try tonight. ich looks like litte white spots right? well, the little spot is gone, but the scales underneath are still white...

 

[PK Tester]

Beware of adding salt to planted tanks!

This will kill certain plants...