quarterback13

I have started to raise the temp from 79 to 84 . Should I add salt. Or is temp rising enough. Help. I don't want to lose them.

harpua2002

Some may disagree, but from my LFS employee days I've added salt with loaches to treat ICH many, many times without issue. I'd say take the temp (slowly) up to 86-87 and add the salt- dissolve it in a cup of dechlorinated water and add it slowly to the tank. Add an airstone to help with aeration during your treatment. To be safe, I'd recommend leaving the temp up and the salt in for 2 weeks after you see the last signs of ich.

Butterfly

I do respectfully disagree on the salt salt is a irritant and can cause the fish to over produce slime and can be stressful.
Your pictus cats and bala sharks may not appreciate the salt either.
Raising the temp to 84F(as long as the temp is over 82F the ICH can't survive), leave it for 14 days and do frequent water changes will do the trick
Please keep us posted on how they are doing
carol

harpua2002

It's also very useful in killing ich in its free-swimming stage. In my experiences, much more useful than heat alone but less stressful than ich meds. Again, just my opinion. I've also learned that some strains are more resistant to heat than others, which is why I recommended the salt along with temps up to 86-87. I've had too much experience treating it... which is why I was SO glad when the boss found a new supplier.

aquarist48

Don't forget to vacuum the gravel to get all the spores that fall of the fish. Best of luck for a speedy recovery!

quarterback13

I have the temp up to 83 now and trying to increase still but it's slow and both loaches still have the spores on them. One ore than the other and he seems worse than before and swims a lot vertically . I am trying to increase temp more. Is this enough. I don't want to use the meds if I can help it. It has been 3 days almost since I noticed it first.

Amanda

Are you doing daily large WC's and gravel vacuums?

quarterback13

yes. I do about 30 % change and vacuum

Butterfly

Hang in there It will take more than three days at the raised temp to see an improvement. That's why 14 days duration was advised. keep up the gravel vacs and water changes. It will be worth it
Carol

quarterback13

1 of the loaches died today. He was the smallest of the 3 and had more spores on him than the other. The other one with the spores still had them and sometimes I see the 3rd one following it closely and it appears as if he is trying to remove the spores from his friend. He appears to be licking or biting them off of it. is that possible or is it something else? Temp is now at 85 and i will do another vaccum today and water change. I hope I don't lose another .

Butterfly

I'm so sorry you lost one
Carol

quarterback13

despite the daily water changes and temp up to 86F my second clown died today . I thought he was improving but I found him floating when I awoke this morning. All the other fish in the tank appear fine. No signs of ich including the last clown. I will leave temp at that level for a while anyways to make sure .

ATKINSON

Sorry for the loss, Is the other clown alright?