cardinals got ich :(

So yesterday I bought two new cardinals to go with the ones I already had. they were doing great and they looked perfectly fine in the store tank but when I looked at them this morning I noticed a few white dots and thought it could just be sand on them or something so I just let them be. well when I got home today I looked at them and the two new ones have twice the amount they did this morning and so I upped the tempurature in the tank to 85 an dnow I don't know what to do as this is the first time I have had ich and I haven't read that much info on how to get rid of it. can you guys help me get rid of it before it kills all of my fish.
thanks

 

I would try the natural way to cure ich first. This is how:

First raise the temperature in your tank to 86 degrees. 1-2 degrees per hour is fine. Keep the temperature at 86 regardless if your fish seem ich-free. You seem to have gotten this part down.

Add an air stone into your tank to help cause more agitation at the surface to aerate the water. Warmer water holds less oxygen than cooler water. Lowering your water level so your filter breaks the surface would also help.

Do daily water changes to remove floating ich parasites. Do gravel vacs every other water change to remove dead/fallen ich spores.

Soak your foods in garlic. You could mince fresh garlic and add a few drops of tank water and soak the food like that or buy pre-minced garlic in a jar. Look for the ones preserved in water not oils as oil can foul your water. Garlic is a natural antibacterial agent and boosts the immune system of the fish.

I would like to add that most medications out there won't work unless the ich parasites are free-swimming. When they are attached to the fish, they are protected by the fish's slime coat.

 

Follow the link "Curing ICH Naturally" in my signature for detailed information on the life cycle of the ICH spores and how to easily control this disease.

Are your new cardinals in a QT tank? If not, you might want to look a setting up a QT for all new purchases before adding to your display tank. When fish become stressed, disease strikes. And being bagged and transferred is stressful.

 

Thanks for the help! I did a 50% water change when I got home and the other fish still look the same. they are all still eating fine and everything! I'm going to continue to do water changes everyday for 2 weeks until the ich is gone. I found some garlic but it is garlic from spice world and it is minced and the ingredients are garlic, water, and phosphoric acid. would the phosphoric acid affect my water or fish at all?

 

The little bit used won't affect your tank. Phosphoric acid is used as a preservative and may slightly raise the phosphates in your tank. It does not cause any issues with the tiny bit that would be transferred with the garlic.

 

ok well that's good to hear! yeaterday I just soaked the food in garlic juice and put it in. should I put little pieces or minced garlic in my tank? or should I just keep soaking the food in the garlic?

 

I do both, but it is your choice.