Betta with ich...HELP

[steviebetta]

Just noticed my betta has ich (white spots on body, face and tail). What are the best medications? Raising temp? Adding salt? Shop bought treatment? None of which I can do till tomorrow apart from raising temp.
He is in a 5g on his own. No idea how the ich got in his tank? All water parameters are good and tank is almost a year old. I use the same syphon for both my tanks so maybe thats how the ich was introduced but othe fish in other tank look fine???

 

[rmiller]

Best thing is to do for now is raise the temp and do a deep gravel vacuum. Then follow the directions for a salt treatment. I don't like using chemicals if I don't have to. I have found the heat and salt method very effective.

 

[steviebetta]

Thanks for the reply. I am raising temp and adding salt to the tank. 1 tablespoon per 5 gallon. I dissolved in new water before adding to the tank. I do a gravel vac every water change. Should I part water change everyday and if so do I replace salt every change? Sorry for all the questions lol just worried.

 

[dwayne.aycock]

+1 on the remedy...increase temp to 80 degrees, vacuum the gravel. Salt dips help, but avoid salting the whole tank. Salt does not evaporate, so several water changes will be required.
D

 

[steviebetta]

So only dose with salt once? Then do frequent water changes without adding more salt?

 

[dwayne.aycock]

I recommend a salt dip. Take the fish out of the tank, along with some tank water. Add to a holding container and salt that one. After a 30 minute bath, beta should be good to go back to the primary tank. It the beta in a tank all by itself?

 

[steviebetta]

I salt dipped the betta and all but 1 spot have gone after 12 hours. Should I go again? Did a major gravel vac too. My other tank has now got it must be from using same syphon. How do I treat a whole tank? Rummy nose tetras, albino and panda corys are in this tank. Thanks again guys.

 

[dwayne.aycock]

I would continue the treatments for the next 7-10 days. If the problem is present in many fish, raise the tank temp to 84 degrees and try a few group salt baths to get on top of the ich. I can't say where you are picking up the ich, but is can't survive in temps over 84 degrees. I keep my Discus at 84 degrees and I have never seen ich. Creep the temp up slowly to 84 degrees (72 hours) and keep it there for at least 5 days. Make the salt baths for 30 minutes each over the next 7-10 days. You will have to clean your filter media because dormant ich may be hiding there.
D

 

[steviebetta]

Ok thats what I'll do. Thanks for the great advice. I'll let you know how I get on. Thanks again