Ick Again For The 3rd Time!

ICK! This is the 3rd time I got ick from getting fish from a location near me. Not going to name the place, but it's on Hoosick Rd. Nice place and the staff is pretty cool too, but dagnabit 3 times?!?!?! I had gotton a Blue Acara & a Firemouth Cichlid both juvies. There were no signs at first, but then the Firemouth started showing the dreaded white dots. I removed him and placed him in sick bay (5.5g tank). Treated with super ick cure and raised temps to 88f. Did my water changes (35%) each day and kept up the meds. He was eating well and quite active. After 12 days no signs and he was anxious to get back to the 40g. 2 more days and he was good to go. Back into the 40g. 2 days later he was dead Next day the Blue Acara died So I did a complete wash/detox of the tank/gravel and I washed the filter in tank water from my 75g. I take the 2 corpse's back to the store and they gave me store credit. In another section of tanks I saw a Jack Dempsey that was a return/surrender and I got him and a partial refund. I got the Red Devil from eddie's. I still have the Green Terror and a Black Convict. Yesterday I saw 2-3 dots on the RD and thought hmm, maybe birthmarks. This morning he's covered in it!! Sunuvabeech!! Since I'm assuming everyone in the 40 gallon is now infected, I can't move RD to sick bay and now have to treat the entire bleeeping tank! UGH! I will never buy another fish from that place again! 3 bleeping times in less than a month!

 

Why didn't you treat the tank when both the BA and the Firemouth was in the same tank. Typically when ich comes about you need to treat the tank, not just the one infected fish.

 

Why didn't you treat the tank when both the BA and the Firemouth was in the same tank. Typically when ich comes about you need to treat the tank, not just the one infected fish.

Because the Firemouth was infected first and then I QT'ed him. There were no signs in the others so I did a complete tank/filter/gravel wash/water change. I then monitored the 40 and saw it was safe, then 2 weeks later reintroduce the FM back into it. I have to admit I should've treated the entire tank from the start and not rely on just washing the tank thinking it was gone.

 

I feel you.
My petco and lfs is being sent ich ridden fish.
They literally come in with ich and It's so hard for the workers to tell til the next day usually.
I've had ich for 3 months dx

 

You need to treat all new fish in your (sick tank) before they go into your main tank.

 

Because the Firemouth was infected first and then I QT'ed him. There were no signs in the others so I did a complete tank/filter/gravel wash/water change. I then monitored the 40 and saw it was safe, then 2 weeks later reintroduce the FM back into it. I have to admit I should've treated the entire tank from the start and not rely on just washing the tank thinking it was gone.

Ich is much like chicken pox. You won't get it unless your exposed to it. Everybody has chicken pox, every fish has a ich virus that will bloom or not bloom.

Your current plan to treat the tank rather than moving them to the hospital is the best route. I know it's frustrating but as long as you follow the instructions to the t you should be fine. It might take more than a week to resolve.

 

85F heat, salt, and an hospital/isolation tank. simple responsible fish husbandry. are you doing any of these things?

 

85F heat, salt, and an hospital/isolation tank. simple responsible fish husbandry. are you doing any of these things?

Have sick bay tank (5.5g), but 40 gallon is already infected so treating the whole tank. Already in progress since this morning.

85F - Check
Salt - Check
Super ick med - On Hold

 

that's all you can really do mate. goodluck

 

that's all you can really do mate. goodluck

Thanks bud! Now to play the waiting game.

 

Aggressive fish together often tend to stress each other out .
Just my opinion but why many say they prefer peaceful fish.
The fish you have need to be stocked appropriately to avoid things like this .
As long as aggression is not properly maintained you will have issues of one nature or the other IMO.
Having fish that are known to be compatible instead of trying something new or what others have failed at goes along way to keeping fish healthy.

 

I understand. I've had my 75 gallon African cichlid tank running for quite a while now. I have an assortment from OB Peacocks, Bumblebees, Blue Haps, Red Zebras, Yellow Labs, a buttikoferi, Bala shark, clown knife, Demasoni, an Auratus and a zig zag eel. They all pretty much get along. Sometimes you'll see an occasional chase, but no real fights.

I've had Green Terrors and Red Devils before with zero issues. I also had GT with JD's and no problems either. I did, however, have major issues with Convicts and the Green Terror, so that's a concern now since I have a Black Convict. But so far no problems. Guess I've been lucky.

 

My local petland sold me ick ridden tetras 2 months ago, I had patiently waited for my brand new tank to cycle and once it was ready my first ever experience was awful as they all died within 3 days and I had my betta in with them. Luckily I was able to remove the betta in time before he was infected and he’s happily alive in his own tank. after I left the tank empty for a month at 90 degrees and medicated with salt.
I put guppies in about 3 weeks ago, woke up to them with ick today.. Can’t help but think I just didn’t get rid of it the first time and I did a big water change the other day because I had a small reading of ammonia and I wanted to take care of it before it got bad. I still blame my local pet store and refuse to ever buy my fish from there lol. Hoping for a recovery for your fishies. I’m over here trying to save my guppies as I have a few fry already I’m attached too and want to avoid them getting it too. I’m a fish noob.

 

My local petland sold me ick ridden tetras 2 months ago, I had patiently waited for my brand new tank to cycle and once it was ready my first ever experience was awful as they all died within 3 days and I had my betta in with them. Luckily I was able to remove the betta in time before he was infected and he’s happily alive in his own tank. after I left the tank empty for a month at 90 degrees and medicated with salt.
I put guppies in about 3 weeks ago, woke up to them with ick today.. Can’t help but think I just didn’t get rid of it the first time and I did a big water change the other day because I had a small reading of ammonia and I wanted to take care of it before it got bad. I still blame my local pet store and refuse to ever buy my fish from there lol. Hoping for a recovery for your fishies. I’m over here trying to save my guppies as I have a few fry already I’m attached too and want to avoid them getting it too. I’m a fish noob.

That's terrible! I'm thinking the same thing with the LFS I got my juvies from. My tank is now @ 88F and salt added. So far they seem very active and eating quite nicely. I'm hoping they continue this path and once the ick is gone, I'm doing another complete tear down of the tank/gravel & filter. I'll wash the filter with tank water from my 75 gallon and I'm sure everything will be fine. I won't be getting fish from that place anymore tho. I have other places I can go to. I hope the best for you as well! Before adding new fish do a complete wash and wash the filter with tank water from another tank to be safe. Thanks and good luck to you!