Is this ICK or just coloration?

So literally as we were walking out the door for a long weekend I looked closely at our tank. We have had the five cardinals for about 2 months (see full stocking list in my signature). I noticed they seem to have shimmery white dots on some of them. I sort of freaked, but my 9 year old told me they have been like that since we got them, but I do not know. We are now back from vacation & they are the same. Not sick, eating & swimming normally no one else seems to have anything like it. Water when I tested before a 50% water change yesterday was 0/0/10-20.

So - could it just be coloration?

I tried to get some pictures. I only see it when up super close. It almost looks like bubbles are stuck to them.

 

Yes, it does look like ich to me. :/

 

Definitely ich

 

Okay - so can someone link the heat treatment protocol for me please?

 

https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfishforum/threads/ich-ick-life-cycle-and-natural-treatment.153206/

 

Thanks. Of course the fish are sick... I have one child with an ear infection which isn't dealing quickly and the rest of us are still trying to get over a summer cold... why shouldn't the fish be sick too?
So I have started raising the temp. I figure if I raise the temp a couple times today I will be at 86 degrees by the end of the day. If this will really produce a 100% survival rate that would be great - fingers crossed. I vacuum the substrate every week. Do I need to do more than normal water changes for increased vacuuming? I have sand if that matters.

 

Yikes, sorry to hear that.. When it rains...

I'd vacuum a little bit more than that to pick up the spores that fall off. At least every other day. Make sure to add in an extra air stone since the warmer temps deplete the water of oxygen. Good luck and hope your kids feel better soon.

 

el337 - so increased vacuuming for me means increased water changes. My source water has 1.0 ammonia... my tank cycles this through in a couple of days (I haven't actually had a chance to test every 12 hours like I want to... maybe once the big kids are back in school), but would the benefits of the increased vacuuming be in any way negated by the increased ammonia load? I use Prime to control the ammonia of course... Just trying to think through all the parameters.

Okay - and I need to get some sort of valve to decrease the flow of the air pump I have. The one time I tried to use it the surface of the water looked like it was boiling, it was so way to strong! So maybe the kids & I will try to head to a pet store later today... what precisely am I looking for in terms of the valve?

 

Besides your regular water change day, you could just decrease suction on the siphon so it doesn't draw out so much water while vacuuming and then just top off whatever water was taken out?

I don't have a lot of experience with air stone valves since I have two HOB's and don't have a need for air stones in general. But when I did use it a couple of times, I had this air stone that didn't create a ton of surface agitation. It was just the right amount of bubbles.

 

I think I may just lower the water surface instead so the canister outflow is more at or above the water level. I don't want to buy another air pump... Since it sounds like I should vacuum again anyhow tonight or tomorrow.

 

That'll work too!

 

Back again el337... with a question or two.
1. My tank thermometer (sticks on the side of the tank, strip) only measures to 84. My heater does not heat to the level it says it is - but I have always just adjusted it so my thermometer was right where I wanted it. Will 84 +\- be close enough to kill the ICH?
2. How does speeding up the life cycle of ICH protect the fish?

 

If possible, I'd get another thermometer to get the most accurate temp. Those glass suction ones are fine. I like the digital ones.

From what I understand, speeding up ich's life cycle doesn't allow it to reproduce at 86 and at that temp, can't attach itself to a host.

 

Okay, so today we will go to the grocery store for basil and the pet store for a thermometer. Thanks. The water feels so warm to the touch!

 

Well, the digital thermometer is installed, thank goodness because the tank was at 89! Now it has drifted back down to 86/85.6 or so. So better.
But I seem to be missing a cardinal tetra. I guess I waited too long to start treatment. My tank seems to have a black hole for dead fish... not expecting to find the body, but I am bummed. It was the one that didn't quite school with the others... Starting Day 2/3 of increased temps. Everyone is still hungry and acting normally, so that is good I guess. It is worse on the cardinals (which I read is normal, but I still don't see if on the other fish.
Question: Day 14 will be occurring the day before we leave for a week's vacation. Should I just keep the temp up while we are gone to help ensure the treatment is complete, or should I bring the temp back down, assuming no signs of continued infection?

 

I would bring it down if you don't see any more spots but not before the 14 days are up.