ich cure or problem?

J J Indy · March 31st, 2008

Two of my seemingly healthy fish a pictus cat and a white tip catfish shark showed signs of ICH so I went to the pet store to get medication that wouldn't kill my live plants. I found melafix and they suggested aquarium salt to help get rid of the ich. I followed the instructions for both and gave the first treatment. The next day I found one of my guppies dead which had a damaged fin and wasn't supprised I removed it from the tank and gave the second treatment of melafix. About 8 hours later I noticed the white tip catfish swimming stangely almost disoriented I qickly did a 25 % water change as the instructions had said but it was to late I found it dead this morning. Does anyone have suggestions on what to do next continue the treatment or stop. Before the treatment the white tip had ich but was swimming normally through the tank?

Shawnie · March 31st, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by J J Indy

Two of my seemingly healthy fish a pictus cat and a white tip catfish shark showed signs of ich so I went to the pet store to get medication that wouldn't kill my live plants. I found melafix and they suggested aquarium salt to help get rid of the ich. I followed the instructions for both and gave the first treatment. The next day I found one of my guppies dead which had a damaged fin and wasn't supprised I removed it from the tank and gave the second treatment of melafix. About 8 hours later I noticed the white tip catfish swimming stangely almost disoriented I qickly did a 25 % water change as the instructions had said but it was to late I found it dead this morning. Does anyone have suggestions on what to do next continue the treatment or stop. Before the treatment the white tip had ich but was swimming normally through the tank?

iwelcome to fishlore!

f its ich, turn up the heater to about 82 for two weeks with a water change of 25% a day and that should help alot...sorry for your loss

sirdarksol · March 31st, 2008

Welcome to the forums. Sorry to hear about your problems.

Short answer:
I would immediately do a 25-50% water change, put some fresh carbon in the filter, and raise the temperature in the tank to 82 degrees.

Long answer:
The parasite that causes ich can't reproduce in 82 degree water, so the easiest cure (though it takes longer) is to just raise the temp. You want to do this slowly, only a couple degrees a day, until you hit the target temperature.
You also want to remove the meds/salt. The salt will take numerous water changes to remove. The meds can easily be removed with fresh activated carbon.

susitna-flower · March 31st, 2008

WELCOME TO FISHLORE!

Sirdarksol is partially correct. The temperature has to be over 82....this is a bit nit picky, but if you have a really accurate thermometer try for 82.5 or above.....also you will want to do 25 % water changes every day or every other, while the temperature is up to replenish the oxygen, as it is naturally depleted in warmer temperatures.

COBettaCouple · March 31st, 2008

Welcome to Fishlore.

To treat Ich, I would slowly raise the water temp to 82-84F. If you don't have an air stone, add one to compensate for the lower oxygen in the water. No meds are needed, but I do like to use Ich-Attack (an herbal, organic solution).

J J Indy · April 1st, 2008

I have taken the advice about raising the temp. in testing my water I found that my water is also in its cycle because I wasnt patient in adding fish to fast. It wasn't the melafix or the aquarium salt that did it it was being impatient in adding fish to fast. Thanks for the advice every one.

My advice to all new tank owners is PATIENCE

susitna-flower · April 1st, 2008

I still feel you are struggleing, and even if it is the cycle, it is frustrating to have your fish dying.....Lots of water changes at this point, and hopefully you have an API Master test kit,(liquid), and can test your water every day.....change water 25-50% when ammonia or nitrite are over 0 and when the nitrates come up do water changes of 25-50% any time the nitrate level is as high as 20.

Water conditions can be suspected any time ick is noticed....

J J Indy · April 6th, 2008

I have lost my pictus cat and am struggling the melafix has extended my cycle and raising the temp. has made the other fish act irradic at times. Part of the problem with using the melafix is it retards bacteria growth and you have to remove the carbon from the filter which affects the amonia and every other level in the tank. I have also been told that it takes 5-6 days for ich to show up which means that the fish I have bought already have it which is frustrating. These "pet" stores will tell you anything to sell you fish or supplies and I don't think most of them know anything.

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