I Really Need Some Help

[DA217]

I started a tank - I didn't cycle it (the folks at the pet store said I didn't need to). I found out a little to late that is NOT the case. I lost a tank of innocent fish to bad water and ich.

So, I WAS then cycled after a month PLUS, then purchased 2 Platys and 2 Corys. Well, after a few weeks, the Platys got the Ich (that I had treated with Jungle Labs Ich Meds). They both died.

The two Corys have lived and done GREAT (No ich, knock on wood).
My readings are PERFECT on the tank (although I do have hard water).
I have had only the two Corys for a month PLUS.

I guess I was feeling brave (or I am just an idiot!) and bought some more fish:
(1) Fantail Guppy
(3) Zebras
(2) White Tetras

Okay, so this was 2 days ago. Just this evening I saw the Guppy rub his side on a shell!! Oh gosh! I can't go through this again.

I floated the fish in the bag they came in. Then I added water to the bag from my tank. I didn't add any water from the pet store. Please tell me that the Ich can NOT still be in my tank after a month plus?!?!

I can not go through this again.

Please help!

Thanks!

 

[Tolak]

Might just be a little flashing due to differences in your water & the lfs water. It could be ick brought in by the new fish. It could be ick remaining in your tank affecting the fish. This is why a quarantine tank is recommended for new fish. It's kind of wait & see now, though one quick rub or 2 usually means nothing.

 

[DA217]

Might just be a little flashing due to differences in your water & the lfs water. It could be ick brought in by the new fish. It could be ick remaining in your tank affecting the fish. This is why a quarantine tank is recommended for new fish. It's kind of wait & see now, though one quick rub or 2 usually means nothing.

Thank you for your response. Should I treat?? Or wait?
I hope it is nothing to worry about. Of course, I go straight into panic mode. I really don't want to watch a bunch of fish suffer and die again (I felt HORRIBLE!!!!!!!!!)

 

[@ombomb]

Wait.

Treating when you don't need to will stress the fish out when you don't need to.

Fish sometimes flash, it doesn't mean that you have anything to worry about.

It's worth pointing out though that Zebra Danios and tetra prefer to be kept in goups of 6+ and corys 3+.

If they have whitespot, it's treatable, don't panic.

 

[Tolak]

I would observe, and if they are doing it on a regular basis, I would begin treatment.

 

[Bloo]

Please tell me that the Ich can NOT still be in my tank after a month plus?!?!

Unfortunately in my experience it can

If it wasn't treated for the full course (sometime two courses are required) at full strength exactly as directed, it can "appear" to be gone on most fish but somehow ICH seems to have the knack of surviving in some state in very low rates - not noticeable to the human eye and not enough to infect the fish.

In my experience with ICH, some fish get it some don't - which leads some people to think some fish are immune to ICH. Not sure this is the case, but rather that the fish has a greater resistance to ICH.

New fish will always be more susceptible to ICH, so if any signs appear of definite ICH, treat again.

Sorry

 

[DA217]

Thank you SO much for responding. I won't panic at the one rub, but I will keep a watchful eye.

The Jungle Lab (crap) I used was M. Green. It said only ONE treatment was necessary, but I used it over 6 times without success. I guess the Cory's just were not affected by the Ich. Because of the Cory's though, I only used half the treatment.

What is the BEST treatment for Ich? I really don't think I had a good treatment, but, NOR did I have a cycled tank either (friggin' pet stores!)

 

[Leslie]

The best product that I've used for Ich is Ich-X made by Aquarium Solutions.

 

[dwarfgourami]

Another possibility worth considering is that the irritation may not be ich but something in the water. Are your readings for ammonia and nitrite still 0? What size is your tank? What test kit do you use?