Ich!!! I think...
- Thread starter Nemo6292
- Start date
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Mumma.of.two
Aquarium Advice Obsessed
Slowly over a day or two increase the temperature up to 86-88F
Increase aeration
Increase number of substrate vacuums and water changes
Leave the temp up for at least a week after the last spot is seen
http://www.aquahobby.com/articles/e_ich2.php
Increase aeration
Increase number of substrate vacuums and water changes
Leave the temp up for at least a week after the last spot is seen
http://www.aquahobby.com/articles/e_ich2.php
darkmatter_3500
Aquarium Advice Freak
Mumma.of.two said:
This works every time for me, FYI evaporation will increase with higher temps sometimes.
jcolon
Aquarium Advice Addict
If the white dots resemble salt grains ... which is what it sounds like ... then yes, I'd say it's ich. Follow Mumma.of.two's advice and you should be good to go.
I've raised the temp to about 80. It was late last night when I realized it. So when I get home I will do a really good vacuum of the gravel and change water and begin to raise the temp some more. Below is a list of my fish.
Infected:
- 2 Peppered Corys
- 2 Iridescent Sharks
- 1 Four lined cat
Not sure:
- 1 Ropefish
- 1 Lace cat
So I shouldn't get medication to treat the tank?? I can't do the salt med since I have the cory cats.
Infected:
- 2 Peppered Corys
- 2 Iridescent Sharks
- 1 Four lined cat
Not sure:
- 1 Ropefish
- 1 Lace cat
So I shouldn't get medication to treat the tank?? I can't do the salt med since I have the cory cats.
jcolon
Aquarium Advice Addict
From what I've read, once you eradicate ich, it should be gone from the tank ... with proper PWC's, and Gravel vacs as well as treatment.
However, introducing new fish could lead to a new infestation ... which is why QT for new stock is so important.
i think they can get it again. wish I could find that source...
but here is what I remember (someone please correct me if I am wrong)
ich can be caused by stress. it doesn't always have to come from a sick fish, so yes you can get it again. however if your tank is running smoothly, water remains good, etc then you should be fine. I think the "ich" bug or whatever it is is something that all fish carry at all times - kind of like a bacteria that we have in us, but is not always bad. does this make sense?
I will do some research and see if I can find that source...
jcolon
Aquarium Advice Addict
Here's a site I referred to when I was treating my sons 10gal a few months back. No casualties, thankfully!
Using Heat to Treat Ich in Freshwater Tropical Fish - Article at The Age of Aquariums - Tropical Fish
Mumma.of.two
Aquarium Advice Obsessed
Nemo6292 said:
If cured correctly it will not come back unless reintroduced. Ich is a parasite that can be killed with just high heat. You don't need salt if you cant use it. Make sure the temp is at or sbove 86F. Any lower will just increase the ich life cycle not stop it. Stress can cause an ich outbreak but only if it's present in the tank to begin with. Keep your water extra clean. Where the ich leaves the fishes body is an open wound that can get infected.
Slowly raising temps to 86 degrees. My fish are completely normal in their actions. Swimming around and acting like nothing is wrong. I had two rams a week ago. They both died just days after I got them. BUT! While they were in the tank they kept "scraping" themselves on the decorations, heater, etc. I thought they were just doing that to mark their territory. But I think it's because they had Ich and brought it with them. I do not QT because I don't have an extra tank. They seemed very happy, ate well and were active. Both died while I was asleep. All my fish now, every single one, has Ich, I think! but they all are active and eating as normal.
jcolon
Aquarium Advice Addict
Nemo6292 said:
Looks like you found your culprits... Moving forward, a qt tank can even be a plastic rubbermaid bin with a heater and airstone, Though a simple 5 gal tank will do.
Mumma.of.two
Aquarium Advice Obsessed
jkdubs2 said:
They are fine with the higher heat. Almost all fish are. Remember to increase aeration. The warmer the water the less oxygen. The pleco and the rainbow (shark? I'm assuming) could be sensitive to meds as well as salt. IMO its better to take the more natural approach - higher temps.
darkmatter_3500
Aquarium Advice Freak
You have to be careful with certain fish and high temps, be sure to research their needs before you try anything, always make sure that you increase tge aeration because oxygen does not desolve well in higher temps.
Mumma.of.two said:
Ok cool so I'll just raise it a few degrees a day until its at 86 degrees. And I have a canister filter with added hob power filter and lots of plants in my 55g with a decreased water level will that be enough aeration?. Luckily I found it really early so the high temps should work fast enough that my fish won't die hopefully. sound like everything?
Mumma.of.two
Aquarium Advice Obsessed
jkdubs2 said:
A degree an hour is fine. Sounds like enough aeration. Good luck!
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