How Long To Continue Treatment Of Ich After White Spots Are Gone?

[ey2006]

I'm just wondering how much longer should white spot be treated for after the white spots have disappeared from the fish?

My friend has 5 clown loaches that she treated for ich 8 days ago, and she hasn't noticed any white spots since the day 3 of the treatment.

How much longer should she continue treating the tank for ich?

Finally, how can one tell when ich (white spots) is completely eradicated?

Thanks in advance

 

[WILDER]

Some carry on treatment for another week once the spots have gone, just to make sure it has completely g0ne.

 

[horseflesh]

It depends on the temperature of the tank. The warmer, the faster the ich life cycle will move, and the less time you need to treat. At 70F I think it takes about a month for ich to move through all phases. At 85F it's more like 4 days. (Google for the ich life cycle for more info.)

I would run the tank at 85F, higher if the fish can take it, and continue treatment for 1 week after the last spot is gone. (I am actually treating right now myself, had a heater problem and the chilly fish caught ich.)

 

[pokagon55]

It is recommened to treat ich for 21 days total. Just because the spots are gone only means that they are in the cyst stage, they are on the bottom of the tank. They will hatch into the free swimming stage or tomite, it is at this stage and only at this stage that meds and salt are effective. This stage lasts only three days. Some think that when the spots fall off that the fish that the ich is gone. And then only to have them come back worst than ever. That is because in the cyst stage they begin to multiply. So treat for a full 21 days.



http/www.thekrib.com/Diseases/ich.html