Is this ICH?!?!

[a.tetreault]

Ich will die when your python dries, if you have multiple aquariums I would recommend not using the python on them untill you have cured it in this tank tho, just to be safe

 

[JoeyGeeze]

So as of this morning, the ich seems to have spread my rainbow cichlid now has one spot on his gill and several on his back fin. Also another tiger barb now has a couple. During feeding time I noticed my kuhli loaches have gotten it pretty bad as well.. Poor little guys!!

The temp is now at 85 and it will be 86 by end of day today. Should I increase over 86, or maintain that temp? All my fish ate this morning, and I lowered my water level so the filter out flow is really creating some surface agitation and air bubbles. Last night I ran my python through some scolding hot water in hopes to kill any bacteria. Luckily this is my only tank so no worries with spreading it.

These first few months of fish keeping have been quite an experience!! Lol

 

[GouramiFanatic]

This is how I understand the cycle of Ich, someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

That water temp needs to be at least 86° to succesfully start killing the Ich off. Until you reach that temp, all the warmer water does is promote the reproduction cycle. So, since you're not quite at 86° yet, the warm water is essentially a breeding paradise for the parasite. So basically, you will see it get worst before it starts to get better. Don't worry, once you hit 86° you should start to see the Ich spots slowly start to disappear.

All the times that I've dealt with Ich, I try to keep my temps at 87-88°. I have never lost any fish with the temps that high and it did successfully rid the tank of Ich.

I was going to mention adding more oxygen to your tank too since warmer water holds less oxygen, but I see you've got that covered. You're well on your way and doing things right.

 

[roydooms]

This is how I understand the cycle of Ich, someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

That water temp needs to be at least 86° to succesfully start killing the Ich off. Until you reach that temp, all the warmer water does is promote the reproduction cycle. So, since you're not quite at 86° yet, the warm water is essentially a breeding paradise for the parasite. So basically, you will see it get worst before it starts to get better. Don't worry, once you hit 86° you should start to see the Ich spots slowly start to disappear.

All the times that I've dealt with Ich, I try to keep my temps at 87-88°. I have never lost any fish with the temps that high and it did successfully rid the tank of Ich.

I was going to mention adding more oxygen to your tank too since warmer water holds less oxygen, but I see you've got that covered. You're well on your way and doing things right.

Agree with this^^^

Although, with the high temp, you'll notice some of your plants will start to melt and die. I used to treat ich by increasing temp but it's killing my plants. I was told to use malachite green(no formalin). One drop per gallon, safe for plants and you don't need to raise the temp and it's only a 3 day treatment. I know you chose the "no chemical" way to treat your tank but I'm just giving my 2 cents and also for you to have another option in case the "high temp" route doesn't work for you. Good luck

 

[JoeyGeeze]

Gouramifanatic and roydooms, thank you both for the advice!! I will be bringing up the temp tonight to 86 tonight, possibly 87. I hope I beat this thing successfully!

I currently have water sprite and an amazon sword (who I'm blaming this ich outbreak on, it's the only new addition to the tank in 3 weeks). I hope they are hardy enough to survive the high temperature. If this doesn't work I will probably try the chemical treatment, as I've also heard that works well.

 

[JoeyGeeze]

So today is my 3rd day of having my temp at 86 and i can already see a difference. My rainbow cichlid caught it the worst, he had about 15 dots on him as of Monday morning. As of this morning, i can see some have gone away. Also, no new dots on my barbs. Last night I had the temp up to 87 and all fish are acting normal, eating, swimming regular, and no flashing. Very good!

As Roydooms mentioned above, my plants may take a hit, and my water sprite is I can see it beginning to die off and melt away. Hopefully, it will bounce back after this whole ordeal!

I'm going to maintain 87 until all spots are gone. After my last spot, I believe I leave it for another week correct?

Thanks everybody!

 

[GouramiFanatic]

Sounds like you're going in the right direction. When I use the heat method to treat Ich, I do keep the temps up for at least a week after I see the last spot. I like to go an extra couple of days just for more piece of mind.

 

[JoeyGeeze]

Ok so today is my 6th day with my temperature at 86 and above. The last 4 days I have maintained a temp of 87, which is good. As of yesterday, all looked to be clearing up and couldn't find many spots. However, this morning I noticed a few more spots on my rainbow that I didn't see yesterday. No other fish have spots now except the rainbow. I was kinda hoping today that I would be all cleared up, ughh! Is it possible that he is being infected mostly because of a low immune system?

Tomorrow I'm going to do a water change, I did one Tuesday as well. I guess I'll just keep chugging along at this! I hope all spots are gone by the end of the weekend.

Thank you!

 

[jlbfish]

It takes time. Mine have been in a hospital tank since Easter. They may be able to come out Monday. I think you have to wait 10 days after you see the past spot and the ich goes through a life cycle from what I remember it can't reproduce at temps above 86 or something.

I found this article very informative.

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/ich.php

 

[JoeyGeeze]

It takes time. Mine have been in a hospital tank since Easter. They may be able to come out Monday. I think you have to wait 10 days after you see the past spot and the ich goes through a life cycle from what I remember it can't reproduce at temps above 86 or something.

I found this article very informative.

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/ich.php

Yea looks like i probably have another week or so to go. I can't wait til it's over!

Thanks for the article, I'm going to read it now.

 

[JoeyGeeze]

Very informative article, I believe I may have skimmed through it during my countless ich googling the last week haha.

From what it states, ich doesn't lay dormant in your tank, and has to be introduced. I have heard this to be both true and false. I guess either way it doesn't matter, since the end result is the same lol. However, I do wish I knew exactly how I got ICH. I'm not sure if my rainbow cichlid caused it from being stressed out (my krib doesn't like him) OR if it came from a plant I introduced a few days before the first ich spot I seen. I trust my LFS and have purchased all my fish and plants from them, their tanks are always kept clean. But I guess there's always a chance.

I will keep everybody posted on how things are if you all don't mind, I may have some more questions! Thank you!

 

[JoeyGeeze]

Hi all.. Just wanted to give an update on the situation. Today is my 11th day of high temp treatment and this darn ICH is still lingering! I have one fish with one spot still. I'm hoping tomorrow that it is gone so I can start the countdown, my plants have really taken a beating. Tomorrow I will do another water change, I did one Monday as well. Ughh.... I just want things back to normal

 

[jlbfish]

Good Luck! I am past the countdown but paranoid to put the ich fish in my tank. I want it to be over too! I can relate.

 

[JoeyGeeze]

Good Luck! I am past the countdown but paranoid to put the ich fish in my tank. I want it to be over too! I can relate.

Thanks! I can't wait for the countdown... My tank is currently around 87 degrees and I'm wondering if should put it up to 88. It seems like everyday I think it's cleared up, I end up seeing 1 more spot.

 

[JoeyGeeze]

Hey guys, I need some advice.... Today is my 13th day with my temperature above 86 degrees. As of yesterday I had one spot on one fish left over. However, tonight I have noticed another spot on a different fish. This seems to have been occurring for the last few days. I dont understand why its still showing up after 13 days of high temperature. The ICH is still lingering, one spot at a time. Is there anything I can do to put this thing to rest for good? Should I raise the temp higher? Any help is greatly appreciated, it's so frustrating!!

 

[a.tetreault]

First, use a different thermometer and check to make sure that the temperature is actually over 86. If it is then you may have a rare strain of ich that can tolerate high temperatures. In that case you will have to use a medication to cure your tank.

Also is it possible that your tank is dropping lower then 86 at night when it is cooler? That would prevent you from curing ich also.

 

[JoeyGeeze]

First, use a different thermometer and check to make sure that the temperature is actually over 86. If it is then you may have a rare strain of ich that can tolerate high temperatures. In that case you will have to use a medication to cure your tank.

Also is it possible that your tank is dropping lower then 86 at night when it is cooler? That would prevent you from curing ich also.

I have double tested this thermometer in the past and it's been correct. I would do it again but I'm currently using that other one in a small tank I started and don't wanna mix it in wit the ich tank. The temp usually sits, according to the digital, between 86.9 and 87.9. This week has been cooler weather outside and I think my heater may have a little trouble keeping up. As far as I can see it hasn't dropped below 86 at all, but I'm currently trying to get it up to 88 and it hasn't done it yet.

It's definitely slowed down, but this one spot reoccurring thing is driving me insane. I'd really prefer not using chemicals, but if I did, is there something that works really well and most people use?

 

[a.tetreault]

Try wrapping your tank in blankets. I'm trying to think of the name of the medication I used for my 75 gallon but it's just not coming to me, I'll let you know when I remember the name

 

[a.tetreault]

Just remembered! Kordon rid ich plus I believe was the name. It worked very well.

 

[JoeyGeeze]

Just remembered! Kordon rid ich plus I believe was the name. It worked very well.

Thank you!! I may pick that stuff up...

I wrapped a towel over the top of the tank and turned the heat up another notch so it sits over 88... I dont wanna bake my fish, but I'm scared the ich may be getting immune to the heat.