Help! Ick!

[scorty]

Hi Please can somebody help me??
I have had my tank now for 2 years. So far without any problems. I have an 8ft tank with all sorts of tropical fish. I have just noticed that a couple of hatchets have got ick so I quickly removed them to a sperate tank to treat. But now have noticed that my clown loaches have developed it.

I really am unsure of the safest way to treat it as of the range of fish I have. Elephant noses, cats, plecs, loaches Plus many more and plants. I have raised the temp to 30 but affraid to add treatment or salt due to possible stress or damage to plants or fish.

What is the most effective way for me to get rid of the ick?? Any help would be massivley appricated.

 

[ZoddyZod]

can you please complete the form at the top of the emergencies section and post it back here? That will help us identify the problem a bit easier.

 

[PlatyQueen]

Don't use any meds. turn up the temp a little and see what happens. with fish like loaches, it's really important to turn up the heat little by little because they are scaleless

 

[the_lock_man]

Don't use any meds.

Why's that? I only ask since you recommended a particular brand of whitespot treatment on another thread, earlier today.

 

[colleen0309]

Ich is going to be hard to treat with the range of fish and size of the tank. DO NOT use salt. Elephant noses are some of the most beautiful fish there are and they will not tolerate salt. This is from personal experience. I killed mine that way many years ago. Look for a medication that is for scaless fish. I'm not sure which ones are for scaleless fish, but I know some are. Follow the directions to the letter. Be very careful. If you are in doubt, use the medication at half dose. Some people would advise you to up the temp and half dose with salt. This might work, I don't know. I would try something else because of my experience with salt and elephantnoses. Do a little research on the meds to find one that is safe for scaleless fish and good luck.

 

[PlatyQueen]

Don't use any meds.

Why's that? I only ask since you recommended a particular brand of whitespot treatment on another thread, earlier today.

because of the loaches

 

[ZoddyZod]

Many ich meds will.be harmful to the elephant nose.