German Blue Ram- Has Ick

[RyanV]

I have 2 german blue rams in a heavly planted, 30 gallon tank. I got them about 2-3 weeks ago now and 1 of them has Ick all over this back fin and now starting to grow on the top fin. I have not treated for ick yet so I need some help. Other tank mates are 2 apistogrammas and 6 rummy nose tetras. I have a 10 gallon hospital tank, but it doesn't have a filter.

Should I treat the ram in the 30 gallon? or move it to the 10 gallon and treat it? will the 10 gallon be okay without a filter doing a water change each day? or is it best to atleast get a sponge filter?

Thanks for the help!

 

[fluttermoth]

Treat the whole tank. The ich parasite has quite a complicated life cycle, with some parts not on the fish at all, but in the water and substrate, so you won't get rid of it if you only treat the affected fish.

Any medicine from your LFS will do, but be aware that there are a lot of med resistant strains of ich out there, so if the first one you try doesn't work, you might have to switch to a different one..

 

[RyanV]

Thanks, I will treat the whole tank! I have also been reading on different sites that raising the temp to 85 will kill it? Is this safe for my other fish? (Also forgot to mention I have a few otto cats). Also should I add salt aswell?

 

[fluttermoth]

You can indeed kill ich with high temperatures; 30°C/86°F, but I don't think your other fish would like that. You'd need to keep it at that temp for at least ten days.

Don't use salt with rams, they don't tolerate it well.

Just out of interest, what temperature are you running the tank at normally? Rams do need high temperatures, and it could explain why your ram has developed the ich.

 

[RyanV]

Thank you for the help, I will start treating it now.

 

[RyanV]

Question the Ick medicaine I have says to treat 1 drop per gallon, but for tetras 1 drop per 2 gallons. How should I treat, with tetras in the tank?

 

[fluttermoth]

I'd go with one drop, as your rams and otos are a bit more delicate than most fish.

 

[ColR1948]

Also if you have carbon in your filter remove it because it will remove the medication you are giving.

 

[RyanV]

Thanks guys I will start treatment tomorrow, after I do a water change