Ich treatment - salt, heat, meds???

Originally Posted by kenster

I have read a few different theories in the forums and I would just like to clarify whats best.

Everyone seems to be in agreement that increasing the water temp to + 81 - 82 degrees is a must.
This depends on what fish species you are dealing with. There are a great number of fish species who cannot tolerate those high temps. 81F - 82F is going to speed up the life cycle of the parasite. Preferred temp for treatment of ich is actually into the 85F - 86F range. The warmer the water the faster the life cycle will progress.

Some people swear blind that salt is the way to go, that being the case is aquarium salt better than table salt? I will have to look this info up, I'll come back to answer this one. There are actually 3 choices in salt because standard aquarium salt differs from marine salt mixtures. I am just not remembering the differences off the top of my head.

When dissolving the salt should it be added to hot water? When adding the salt it should just be poured into the water near a filter intake. If you pour slowly it will mix as it goes in. Mixing it hot water is never suggested. The way it goes in and the temp of the water when it goes in will greatly affect the chemical breakdown and effects on the fish. It is not advised to pour directly onto the fish, but premixing of salt & water used for medication is a no no.

There is also the tolerance levels of the fish for both temp and salt, how do I find out tolerance levels for each fish? You can post here and ask. I can give you that information.


Next there's the shop bought medications. A lot of people suggest using half dosage, should this then be used for twice as long as recommended? Can I use the medications along with the salt or as an alternative? This is dependent on the species of fish you're treating, the medication you're using, and the conditions under which you are treating. Some fish respond better to the salt treatment, some require medication. Sometimes it is also dependent on how advanced/severe the problem is at the time. As for how long to use it, never exceed the amount listed in the directions. If a second treatment is needed it should be done after a water change. Using salt treatment and medication at the same time will also depend on the species of fish and type of medication you are using. Ich medications are not all created equal. The determining factor is the ingredients of the medication.


When using medication and or salt should water changes be reduced to keep the treatment in the tank or increased to remove the Ich from the tank? Again, this is dependent on what medication you are using and what fish you are treating.

Does lighting or feeding have any part to play in the treatment? If you have live plants in the tank lighting becomes important. Dying plants due to lack of light will only serve to pollute the water and raise ammonia levels, so lighting schedules for live plants should be adequate. Feeding is important when treating any fish illness. A wide variety of nutritious foods will boost the immune system of the fish further aiding in fighting the illness and avoiding secondary infections. At the same time it is important not to over feed which will raise ammonia levels quickly.

I am really only looking to gain knowledge here, not to treat an ongoing problem.
There is nothing wrong with trying to gain knowledge, but please know that every illness/parasite problem in a fish is specific, thus there is no one single standard procedure that works or is suitable for all fish. Medical problems should always be addressed and handled on an individual basis according to that specific situation.

As for the tolerance levels, the fish I currently have are -

Clown loaches - very low tolerance to any salt
Bristlenose - low tolerance to salt
Danios - can handle medicinal dosages of salt
neons - very low tolerance to salt
Cardinals - little to no tolerance to salt
Skirted tetras - can usually handle medicinal dosages of salt
Glo- lights - can usually handle medicinal dosages of salt
and 1 platy - can benefit from lightly salted water (boosts immune system)


Thanks guys Kenster