Hi, Can anyone help please. I'm worried sick. My two weather loaches and two goldfish have Ich and I don't know the best course of action. I have raised the temperature but don't know whether to buy Protozin tomorrow to use, or I can use Tetra Medica Lifeguard tablets now as I have already bought these, or aquarium salt which I also have but what is safe with weather loaches? My poor goldfish is flashing and has developed red blood lines in her tail and the two loaches look as if they have been salted they are so covered in spots and this morning before we went out, everyone seemed fine. I cannot believe it can develop so quickly. I have got a 200 litre tank with a Fluval 206 external filter. The water conditions are ammonia 0, ph level 6.6, nitrate 10, nitrite 0 and I have two old weather loaches and two goldfish. Any advice would be much appreciated - I feel unable to think straight and being a Sunday night, no pet shops are open until 9 tomorrow morning. Will they be safe until then or should I medicate now?
Ich in Weather loach and goldfish advice
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Not really a goldfish expert, so hopefully someone can add.
I looked back at my notes and would be wary of salt dosing with the loaches. I've done it with catfish and they were fine but not as an ich treatment where the salt levels needed would be higher than I had. Probably double what I got to.
Heat treatment looks out for the goldfish and weather loaches to cross off.
Waterlife products I like. The tetra product I read up on and it looks like you need to be careful not to overdose (patent on 1-chloro-2, 2, 5, 5-tetramethyl-4-imidazolidone below).
Tetra Medica Lifeguard All in One Treatment 10 Tablets | Pets At Home
Patent US8563587 - Methods and compositions for treating fish diseases - Google Patents
I looked back at my notes and would be wary of salt dosing with the loaches. I've done it with catfish and they were fine but not as an ich treatment where the salt levels needed would be higher than I had. Probably double what I got to.
Heat treatment looks out for the goldfish and weather loaches to cross off.
Waterlife products I like. The tetra product I read up on and it looks like you need to be careful not to overdose (patent on 1-chloro-2, 2, 5, 5-tetramethyl-4-imidazolidone below).
Tetra Medica Lifeguard All in One Treatment 10 Tablets | Pets At Home
Patent US8563587 - Methods and compositions for treating fish diseases - Google Patents
Using protozin but don't know what else to do
Thanks for your comments. I decided to sit up with the tank throughout the night and for some of the time, the fish and loaches were able to rest. I bought Protozin as soon as the shops were open and have dosed with a half dose. I don't know if that is right with loaches and goldfish? My poor goldfish is driven to distraction crashing into the tank and flashing it is so horrible to watch. They rely on me and I don't know how to help them. I called a vet but he said he didn't know much about goldfish. I called two aquatic shops who recommended the Protozin, but it was one of the aquatic shops who sold me the plants that must have been infected so I don't know how much I trust their advice. I've got the temperature at 78 degrees and it is just now sitting and watching and waiting. I've booked a few days holiday from work so I can be with them, I know I must sound pathetic, but I feel so upset as these little fellows are proper members of the family and I would do anything to keep them happy and well. If anyone does have any advice or suggestions, I am so grateful for it.
Thanks for your comments. I decided to sit up with the tank throughout the night and for some of the time, the fish and loaches were able to rest. I bought Protozin as soon as the shops were open and have dosed with a half dose. I don't know if that is right with loaches and goldfish? My poor goldfish is driven to distraction crashing into the tank and flashing it is so horrible to watch. They rely on me and I don't know how to help them. I called a vet but he said he didn't know much about goldfish. I called two aquatic shops who recommended the Protozin, but it was one of the aquatic shops who sold me the plants that must have been infected so I don't know how much I trust their advice. I've got the temperature at 78 degrees and it is just now sitting and watching and waiting. I've booked a few days holiday from work so I can be with them, I know I must sound pathetic, but I feel so upset as these little fellows are proper members of the family and I would do anything to keep them happy and well. If anyone does have any advice or suggestions, I am so grateful for it.
Does it say what is in the protozin and the strength? The loaches would be the main ones to watch I'd say and I would of done a half dose as well to see how they go. You could also email/phone waterlife for help. I've had replies from them for myxazin - took a day but pretty quick I thought since I'm in Australia.
Water changes and gravel vacs around the meds dosing cycle also help remove ich and just freshen the water up. The nitrifying bacteria may also partially die off so worth testing for ammonia. I'd also test ph to keep an eye on that.
You could do a salt dip/bath on the goldfish. That would help them and you wouldn't be dosing the tank so if the goldfish don't like it, they could go back into the main tank.
Temperature of 78 to me sounds about right. Not a goldfish expert but that looks to be at upper limit for goldfish, will speed up ich cycle but not too high that it might set off secondary infections.
I've been pretty certain I've had ich come in with plants or plant water as well. Now I QT plants for a few days in bucket just in case.
Good luck
Noviceafter2yea
Aquarium Advice FINatic
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I totally sit up late hours keeping my fish company and trying to monitor their progress. Not pathetic at all.
If the other guys seem to be doing better - or even just get some rest - could you move the goldfish to a QT tank and raise the temp on the main one? You can make an emergency QT tank (google it) with stuff around your place and make sure none of the stuff has ever been cleaned with soap or other chemicals.
Make sure you remove the activated carbon/filter bag while you medicate otherwise the carbon soaks up the meds and you really aren't medicating. Keep the filter, however, running. Medications and increased temps also affect the oxygen supply in the water so make sure there is enough aeration. If you have an air pump, it is a good idea to use it. If the fish are gasping at the surface, they are likely not getting enough oxygen.
If the other guys seem to be doing better - or even just get some rest - could you move the goldfish to a QT tank and raise the temp on the main one? You can make an emergency QT tank (google it) with stuff around your place and make sure none of the stuff has ever been cleaned with soap or other chemicals.
Make sure you remove the activated carbon/filter bag while you medicate otherwise the carbon soaks up the meds and you really aren't medicating. Keep the filter, however, running. Medications and increased temps also affect the oxygen supply in the water so make sure there is enough aeration. If you have an air pump, it is a good idea to use it. If the fish are gasping at the surface, they are likely not getting enough oxygen.
It's an interesting question on temp increase. As I understand it, weather loaches are a cold water fish and tropical temps will shorten life span but if they have adapted to Queensland in Australia they must be able to deal with warmer waters.
http://www.loaches.com/species-index/weather-loach-misgurnis-anguillicaudatus
http://www.loaches.com/species-index/weather-loach-misgurnis-anguillicaudatus
Survived Another Night
Thank you all so much for your reassurance and advice. I have set up a QT and will try a salt dip for the goldfish, will give another half dose of the Protozin today and will keep the temperature at 78 degrees with the hope of speeding up the cycle. I normally turn off the air stone during the day time and when we go to bed, but I'm leaving it on 24/7. I had taken the carbon out of the filter and replaced it with a new sponge filter which I will destroy once the tank is clean.
Very useful point about meds possibly changing the water, so I shall test daily. I wasn't sure about whether to do water changes during medication or not so I will try to contact Waterlife about this. Although they still look very ill, they are swimming around a little whereas before they sat on the ground in between flashing. It may be nothing, but any sign is a good one.
I will make sure that I QT plants in the future. I feel so guilty and stupid for not having done so before - I didn't think about it. This forum is a life line and I really do appreciate everyone's advice and support. I can't thank you enough.
Fingers crossed now that today is a good day for the little ones.
Thank you all so much for your reassurance and advice. I have set up a QT and will try a salt dip for the goldfish, will give another half dose of the Protozin today and will keep the temperature at 78 degrees with the hope of speeding up the cycle. I normally turn off the air stone during the day time and when we go to bed, but I'm leaving it on 24/7. I had taken the carbon out of the filter and replaced it with a new sponge filter which I will destroy once the tank is clean.
Very useful point about meds possibly changing the water, so I shall test daily. I wasn't sure about whether to do water changes during medication or not so I will try to contact Waterlife about this. Although they still look very ill, they are swimming around a little whereas before they sat on the ground in between flashing. It may be nothing, but any sign is a good one.
I will make sure that I QT plants in the future. I feel so guilty and stupid for not having done so before - I didn't think about it. This forum is a life line and I really do appreciate everyone's advice and support. I can't thank you enough.
Fingers crossed now that today is a good day for the little ones.
I think I cursed the lfs for about a month I had a complete blind spot to checking plants but there was nothing else that matched the time frame.
I had a complete blind spot to checking plants but there was nothing else that matched the time frame.Re Golfish and Loaches with Ich
Oh in the early hours of wakefulness I've planned how to smash the lfs windows and have placed every curse possible on the shop. In the cold light of day realisation dawns that they may not even know about it themselves and it was down to me to take precautionary measures. I shall never make that mistake again! I've always felt quietly smug that I don't go to any old pet shop, but a specialist aquarium shop to ensure my little ones get the best. I guess that now leaves me feeling quietly stupid!
Oh in the early hours of wakefulness I've planned how to smash the lfs windows and have placed every curse possible on the shop. In the cold light of day realisation dawns that they may not even know about it themselves and it was down to me to take precautionary measures. I shall never make that mistake again! I've always felt quietly smug that I don't go to any old pet shop, but a specialist aquarium shop to ensure my little ones get the best. I guess that now leaves me feeling quietly stupid!
Just a quick update. I used Protozin at full strength, left the water at 80 degrees and my little ones have all made it okay and are well on the road to recovery. I just wanted to thank you so much for your help and advice. You were a real life saver (literally in the case of the little ones) and I cannot thank you enough for taking the time and trouble to help me. It amazes me how life can be so full of wonderful, caring, kind-hearted people. Thank you.I think I cursed the lfs for about a month
That is grand news
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