Annadvn

3 days ago i noticed the BGJD's in the 125g had ick, i had been keeping a close eye on them because they had larval stage fry. They seemed to have a bad case of ick with all fins and body being covered with little grains of salt. However none of the other fish, including the clown loaches had ick, nor were they flashing or showing any symptoms!

The temp of the tank was already at 84F due to the fact i had added 3 more clown loaches and 3 SAE's the previous week (after quarantine) and i always raise the temp from 80F to 84F as clowns are prone to ick when stressed and with moving them etc.... I prefer to prevent than treat.

So today i noticed now that some of the 6 clowns have ick as do the BN's, the SAE's and bala shark have no signs and 1 of the 7 corys are now flashing.

Tank conditions are as follows: 125g, 2 Fluval FX5 canisters as filtration, ammonia 0, nitrites 0, nitrates 5-10ppm, temp 84F. Last water change 50% on saturday (2 days ago). Loads of plants - floating and rooted.
Tank mates - 6 clown loaches (some have ick showing but not all),
7 corys (1 flashing,rest no other symptoms),
4 BGJDs (all with symptoms),
3 BNs (1 showing ick, rest no symptoms),
3 SAE's (no symptoms),
1 bala shark (no symptoms),
MTS/pond snails - do they get ick?
JD fry - should be free swimming tomorrow unknown with how many and symptoms.

Every one is eating and active.

I already have the Temp up to 84F as i usually use heat as primary control and treatment of ick. How did the BGJD's get ick in the first place as ick doesnt usually survive the higher temps? If i have the temp at 84F do i need to raise it higher, or is it time to add drugs?

Anna

peacemaker92

It's good that you raised your temp. Let the temp be for 2 weeks, and the ick should die after that, then you can lower your temp to normal. Don't add any meds. During the 2 weeks period, keep doing your normal water changes. It's also important to vacuum your gravel/sand regularly to kill the spores in them.

Hope that helps

aquarist48

Hello Anna. Sorry to hear that you're having to deal with ICH. ICH can also be caused by stress, along with sudden temperature changes. It's my understanding that ICH may survive for a short period in temperatures over 82 degrees but they cannot reproduce in temperatures over 82 degrees. By leaving your temperature over 82 for the full two week period interrupts their life, spwaning cycle, and they die off.
ICH is such an odd fish ailment. Very tricky.
Please get some more responses before you decide to use medications. I'm not sure how well the Clown Loaches will handle it. At this point I have to say to leave your temperature raised and not use any medicines and certainly no salt.
Best wishes for you and your fish!
Ken

Nick G

Sorry to hear about the ick Anna, tough situation. You could either up the temp another degree to 85c, and vacumn the gravel to remove the spores every few days and leave the temp there for 2 weeks, or medicate. The trouble with meds is they will almost certainly kill the fry. Usually I wouldn't advise meds, but it's strange how you have an ich outbreak in a tank running at 84c. I'd probably up the temp first if it was me, but if you do have to medicate, I'd remove the fry to another tank first if you have one available.

aquarist48

Great point about the fry Nick. The fry will still have to be treated with the higher temperatures as they have been exposed to ICH as well. So since the fry have been living in temperatures at 84 raising it one more degree shouldn't hurt them? (assuming they've been moved to their own tank).
Ken

Nick G

I wouldn't think it would harm them to raise the temp. I raise Guppy, kribensis, Borelli Cichlid, and Jewel fry, and all of my fry tanks temps are set at 85c. Good point about the Loaches too Ken, I'm fairly certain they don't tolerate meds well. I missed that!

aquarist48

Thanks Nick. (I think you mean 85F instead of 85c?)
Have a good day today!
ken

Nick G

Haha! Well spotted Although in my defence, I'm sure raising the temp to 85c would definatly get rid of the ick! And everything else...........

peacemaker92

we don't want that now, do we?

Amanda

Sorry to hear your JD's have ich! Best of luck with treatment

Annadvn

Thanks Nick, Ken and Amanda,

I will leave the temp up then, and just wait it out for 2 weeks i guess. I just hate seeing my lil guys sick!

I'm not worried about this batch of fry and will just leave them in the tank for mum and dad to take care of. The EBJDs amongst the fry will almost certainly have died already now from the ick.

I was just really surprised that they got ick in the higher water temp, last resort is to use meds because of the clowns, but wondered if i have a super ick to start in the higher water temp. (Don't think my heater will go up to 85C luckily!!! )

Anna

eiginh

Yes be really careful with meds and clown loaches :-x. When you vacuum your gravel do half and half or a third at a time. I hope everything turns out well!