Too early to treat for Ich...?

[PizzaStina]

I fish-less cycled a 10 gallon tank for almost 3 months, before putting in 5 Glofish Tetras and a nerite snail two days ago. They've all been doing well since, although some were/are still a bit shy and hide from time to time - I figure they're slowly getting used to the new place. I fed them once yesterday and once today and they all ate well.

However, I've noticed this afternoon that two of the fish appear to have 2-3 small white spots on their fins, which I'm now very worried could be Ich. They have been acting normally, however, and are in fact the two most active, least-likely to hide fish of the bunch.... Not seeing any gasping, coming to the surface for air, clamping, etc. in any of the fish.

At what point should I begin to possibly treat for ich and how? I would hate to lose my new fish so fast so I'm hoping maybe early treatment would help, if it seems advisable... Thanks!

 

[Dunk2]

I fish-less cycled a 10 gallon tank for almost 3 months, before putting in 5 Glofish Tetras and a nerite snail two days ago. They've all been doing well since, although some were/are still a bit shy and hide from time to time - I figure they're slowly getting used to the new place. I fed them once yesterday and once today and they all ate well.

However, I've noticed this afternoon that two of the fish appear to have 2-3 small white spots on their fins, which I'm now very worried could be Ich. They have been acting normally, however, and are in fact the two most active, least-likely to hide fish of the bunch.... Not seeing any gasping, coming to the surface for air, clamping, etc. in any of the fish.

At what point should I begin to possibly treat for ich and how? I would hate to lose my new fish so fast so I'm hoping maybe early treatment would help, if it seems advisable... Thanks!

Can you post a clear picture of the fish/spots?

 

[AmnScott]

As mentioned above, pictures would help confirm a possible diagnosis. Do they look like raised salt granules?

If it is indeed ich, treating it as early as possible is more ideal. I prefer the heat "method" (raising aquarium temperature). The one time I had really bad Ich, this got rid of it in just two weeks, and it never came back. I believe this to be the ideal technique for the tolerant fish species, as it doesn't involve pouring chemicals/meds in your tank.

 

[PizzaStina]

Here's the best I could do. I circled the spots in red.

On the pink one, I can actually even see two tiny dots on each side fin. Kind of impossible to get those ones on camera though.

 

[JPH1970]

Elevated heat and aquarium salt got rid of my ich.
There's no need to mess with chemicals and other medicine

 

[PizzaStina]

Can you post a clear picture of the fish/spots?

I forgot to hit reply before - but see pics above.

 

[PizzaStina]

So this morning I actually no longer see the spots on green, and the couple of spots on pink's fins seem really faded now compared to yesterday. False alarm?! Is it possible that they sometimes just get some schmutz stuck to their fins? Wonder if anyone else has experienced this... but I will be keeping an eye on them of course.

 

[JPH1970]

So this morning I actually no longer see the spots on green, and the couple of spots on pink's fins seem really faded now compared to yesterday. False alarm?! Is it possible that they sometimes just get some schmutz stuck to their fins? Wonder if anyone else has experienced this... but I will be keeping an eye on them of course.

Ich needs to be treated, even after the spots disappear. How long depends on your medication

 

[Shrimp42]

"Ich spots" aren't always present during the parasites life cycle, they will disappear at one point and soon be replaced by more. I don't want to have to explain the complete life cycle, but basically you keep heat up high for a week or two because once the spots "disappear" the ich parasites are leaving the fish to lay eggs and die. This is when the treatment (heat, salt, or medication) kills the parasite. It either kills the parasites before they lay eggs or the new parasites coming from the eggs.

Heat alone should work, since it not only decreases the life cycle of the parasites but kills them as well. Aquarium salt can be used as well. This is if it actually is ich.

 

[PizzaStina]

"Ich spots" aren't always present during the parasites life cycle, they will disappear at one point and soon be replaced by more. I don't want to have to explain the complete life cycle, but basically you keep heat up high for a week or two because once the spots "disappear" the ich parasites are leaving the fish to lay eggs and die. This is when the treatment (heat, salt, or medication) kills the parasite. It either kills the parasites before they lay eggs or the new parasites coming from the eggs.

Heat alone should work, since it not only decreases the life cycle of the parasites but kills them as well. Aquarium salt can be used as well. This is if it actually is ich.

Hm, I see. Its just weird because I only noticed these spots yesterday and now they are totally gone. Never noticed them before either. My heat is currently at about 78F. I'm a bit afraid to overheat/further stress these fish since I just got them 3 days ago. Would you recommend I slowly increase heat anyway to be safe...? Or wait and see if new spots appear and then for sure diagnose as ich? I've seen ich before when I was a kid and had fish, and I know how bad/noticeable it can look.

 

[Shrimp42]

Glofish tetras (actually just genetically modified white skirts) are very resilient, so increasing heat slowly would be a good idea. 86F is what is recommended, and leave it at that for a week or two. If you don't think it is ich, keep a close eye on them.

 

[PizzaStina]

Glofish tetras (actually just genetically modified white skirts) are very resilient, so increasing heat slowly would be a good idea. 86F is what is recommended, and leave it at that for a week or two. If you don't think it is ich, keep a close eye on them.

Ok. Whether it really is ich or not - raising the temp that much for a couple weeks won't hurt? How should I incrementally increase temp without shocking them?

Also - I do now see just one small spot on two different fish, while they are pretty much gone on the others I noticed yesterday.... increasing temp a bit just in case...

 

[JPH1970]

Ok. Whether it really is ich or not - raising the temp that much for a couple weeks won't hurt? How should I incrementally increase temp without shocking them?

Also - I do now see just one small spot on two different fish, while they are pretty much gone on the others I noticed yesterday.... increasing temp a bit just in case...

You either raise it to 86 or not at all. Anything lower won't do any good

Raise it slowly

 

[PizzaStina]

You either raise it to 86 or not at all. Anything lower won't do any good

Raise it slowly

Ok. I read somewhere 2 degrees a day? I bumped it up a couple so it should get to 80 today... and will continue the next few days and keep an eye on them....

 

[JPH1970]

Ok. I read somewhere 2 degrees a day? I bumped it up a couple so it should get to 80 today... and will continue the next few days and keep an eye on them....

I'm pretty sure it's 2 per day.

After two weeks, it's the same to lower it...2 degrees per day. Don't do what I did and drop it from 86 to 76 within 2 days

 

[JPH1970]

Ok. I read somewhere 2 degrees a day? I bumped it up a couple so it should get to 80 today... and will continue the next few days and keep an eye on them....

Once you hit the 86 F mark, the 2 week countdown begins

 

[PizzaStina]

So I've had the heat fully raised now since Sunday, and I haven't seen a spot on any of them in about 3 days now. I'm also adding Ich Attack to the tank (all natural ingredients, no weird chemicals) and garlic to their food. I've vacuumed their gravel/replaced a gallon of water a couple of times since as well.

However... two days ago my smallest orange GloFish totally disappeared overnight. I found a small puddle next to the tank.... and some cat hair. My theory is it jumped through that little slit in the hood surrounding the filter and my cat had a nice little snack!!

So now I'm down to 4 GloFish tetras in my 10 gallon tank and while the spots have been gone and haven't returned in three days, I'm noticing some weird behavior towards one of the green fish. The other three seem to chase her around constantly, getting all up in her grill... and she's always trying to hide out at the bottom of the tank near or inside decor/fake plants.

I'm wondering if this is happening due to them not being in a big enough school anymore or if the increased heat is agitating them? Almost wonder if the heat made the little one jump too... Basically I'm kind of worried the heat is cooking them a bit too much and if it's worth it to start decreasing heat if I haven't seen a spot in 5 days or so?...

I'd also love to replace the orange guy and hopefully get them to school better. I almost would want to get 2 more to make 6.... but I worry there's not enough space. I suppose I could remove one decor piece? I just don't want them being bullies and all territorial... I dunno if anyone has any thoughts on that, lol.