Ich help

kira

Hi there...I have ich on my pleco and a few of my neons. I've read that salt was not good for neons or loaches (I have a kulii). I'm not sure what to treat with with the large variety of meds available at the LFS. I was hoping I could treat w/ temperature alone but not sure if my fish would tolerate, so I was hoping to ask the experts here.

How high can I go w/ temp with the fish I have?
If this doesn't work, what medications are best for my fish, since it appears salt is out of the question (or is it?)

I've already lowered the water level to increase oxygenation from filter.

Tank size: 29gal
Temp: currently 80 F (increased from 78 yesterday afternoon).
Ammonia: 0
Nitrites: 0
Nitrates: 5-10 ppm
pH: 8

Inhabitants:
6 neons
2 dwarf gouramis
1 Common Pleco
2 Platy's
1 Swordtail
1 kuhlii loach

Tank has been running for about 3 months. The loach is the newest; I added him about a week ago. I did not QT, guess I will be getting a 10gal for that purpose for the future.

Edited to add: Forgot to mention it is planted, there are about 6 live plants in as well if this makes a difference.

Thanks!

Derek-M

You will need to raise the temp to 83f to kill the parasite... Also add a air stone if you have one just to make sure of plenty oxygen...There should be no problems adding salt at 1 teaspoon per UK gall


Btw welcome to the forum... If you could add where you are from to your profile it helps us with whats available to you as different Countries have different meds

jones57742

Kira:

I have plecos, neons and yoyo loaches and have had to deal with ich.

Please refer to my 2nd post in:
http://www.fishforum.com/viewtopic.p...618&highlight=

TR

FDStation152

Actually I'm pretty sure that the temp has to top atleast 86F to actually kill ich, 83 will speed up the life cycle and make medicating the fish easier and more effective but it won't kill it. Salt can be used to treat the problem but personally I'd go buy a medicine containing malachite green and formalin and hit the tank with half doses (as some of your fish will be sensitive to this medication) and raise the temp up to 84 or so. Be sure to continue treatment for approx. 2 weeks after the last signs of ich have dissapeared.

magic_marty

i found a product that is 100% organic and does not affect you biological filtration like alot of other meds do. its called ich-attack it will not discolor your water and is safe to sensitive fish i haven't personally tried it but i plan on getting some to keep on hand, also it can be used as a preventive against out breaks.if anybody has tried this i would like to hear your opinion on it.
heres the link to it..


http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...4060&subref=AA

kira

Thanks everyone for the suggestions

I went and got Quick Cure (with the malachite green and formalin)...so I am supposed to continue treating for 2 weeks after the signs of ich are gone, correct? I am doing the half doses because of the sensitive species.

What about water changes? I do changes of 25-30% weekly...would I still do this? Or more or less frequently?

BTW thanks for the welcome...this is an awesome forum!

magic_marty

depends on what your tank temperature is on how long you treat after all white spots are gone.The higher the temp in your tank the faster the life cycle of the ick is.Most cases if your temp is around 83 you would continue treatment 4 to 5 days after the signs of ick has disappeared thats because there prolly will still some free swimming thermonts that are seeking for a host (your fish) to infect and then the cycle repeats itself..be sure you have good surface agitation because most meds reduce the amount of oxygen in the tank..read the instructions carefully, most meds suggest a 25% water change before treatment and before each additional treatment there on..



Good luck .....


thought i would add this link its very informative on cycle and treatments for ick..

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