My first Ich outbreak results

55 gallon
Ph 7.4
Ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate 10-20.
Temp 80- slowly increased to 85 during treatment.
After spotting my 4 new clown loaches and 6 original black neons covered with ich, I treated with API super ich powder. 24 hours after the first dose, all fish looked clear and acting normal. Did the second dose 48 hours later as the directions state. The next day the black neons seem to have made a full recovery and doing well. The loaches all died one by one. However, I have also lost 5 of 9 glow light tetra that did not have any symptoms.
I did a 30-40% water change 48 hours after the last dose. Then a 50% water change today. The remaining glow light tetra are not eating. all of my mollies and 2 angels had no symptoms and no effect from treatment.
I did purchase a new 20 gallon tank that I will use as a quarantine tank before adding any more fish to my community tank.

 

Tetras and scaleless fish are super sensitive to ich medication. That’s likely the cause of the loach deaths and the tetras not eating. Normally for fish like that they recommend half the dosage rate.
I did the same with my badis and treated at half the rate. They immediately went to the surface and just say there. I did a 50% water change and they looked fairly good. Did another large water change and they looked good.
I used aquarium salt and temp at 86F and the ich cleared up in less than a week. Now however the rainbow fish that brought the ich are now bloated and breathing very heavy. They are dying off one by one now. All other fish are fine.

 

I've used Kordon Ich Attack Herbal and Kordon Rid Ich Plus with success, in conjunction with raising the temp and frequent water changes and substrate vacs.

I used those meds (not both at same time) 2x a day, even with "sensitive" fish with positive results.

Whatever method of Ich treatments you choose, it's best practice to continue it for 7-10 days after the last known sign of visible Ich.

 

I agree with islandvic, or try the heat only method next time for scaleless fish.

I just wanted to add, definitly quarantine loaches or other wild cought fish. You might get away with not doing it but it is tragic when you don't get away whith it.
Also, if you only have the 55 gallon, consider yoyo loaches, xebra loaches, or polka dot/angelicouse loaches instead of clowns which get to 12 fat carnivorous inches.

 

I've used Kordon Ich Attack Herbal and Kordon Rid Ich Plus with success, in conjunction with raising the temp and frequent water changes and substrate vacs.

I used those meds (not both at same time) 2x a day, even with "sensitive" fish with positive results.

Whatever method of Ich treatments you choose, it's best practice to continue it for 7-10 days after the last known sign of visible Ich.

7-10 days even for the API super ich? Instructions say it’s only a 2 dose process?
1st dose, 48 hours later 2nd dose, 25% water change after another 48 hours.

I agree with islandvic, or try the heat only method next time for scaleless fish.

I just wanted to add, definitly quarantine loaches or other wild cought fish. You might get away with not doing it but it is tragic when you don't get away whith it.
Also, if you only have the 55 gallon, consider yoyo loaches, xebra loaches, or polka dot/angelicouse loaches instead of clowns which get to 12 fat carnivorous inches.

I definitely won’t be doing anymore loaches. I read after the fact they are prone to ich, and don’t respond well to treatment.
thanks

 

Well I can't say to continue the API meds, but definitely continue the elevated temps + WC's.

ICH (ICK) Life Cycle and Natural Treatment | Freshwater Fish Disease and Fish Health Forum | 153206

 

I watched the video on Ich-x but couldn’t find it locally.

 

use meds as instructed, but keep the temperature up for a week to 10 days after all white spots are gone if your fish are tolerating it.

I do not recommend apI medications of any kind.

just wanted to say, I have been keeping loaches for maybe 18 years, many from different stores over the years, they never brought ich into the tank. maybe I was lucky though!