Ich x

[Perbud]

Hi everyone,
Could you please tell me if ich x is going to permanently discolor the sealant of my all glass 20 gal high Aqueon tank.

 

[Perbud]

I would rather not use it if that was the case.

 

[Byron]

It does have malachite green so it might, but more to the point, it is not safe for most fish so I would never use it anyway. It should absolutely never be used with soft water species, especially characins and catfish like cories. It contains malachite green (a carcenogenic to humans) and formaldehyde. Ironically, on the Hikari site it says, "using a less toxic form of malachite green, which makes it less taxing on biological action," which is a clear admission that it is dangerous and not at all "safe."

Best ich treatment is heat; increase tank water temp to 86F/30C for 10-14 days.

 

[Perbud]

Thanks treating them now for 7 days still a couple of white spots on 1 or two fish.Temps at 82F been using Petco’s parasite remover (herbal based) at double strength .

 

[Perbud]

I only keep tetras and corys so that makes the decision easy. Fearful to go higher than 82F to 86F since I’m pretty sure Tertras and corys may not withstand that high a temperature

 

[Byron]

I only keep tetras and corys so that makes the decision easy. Fearful to go higher than 82F to 86F since I’m pretty sure Tertras and corys may not withstand that high a temperature

On a temporary basis, most species can tolerate this and higher. And far better than any chemical added to the water. I had a tank of wild caught pencilfish, hatchetfish, and 60 cories (all wild caught) and raised the temperature to 86F for two weeks. I increased the surface agitation as warmer water holds less oxygen. But to my surprise, the cories did not surface breach for air any more often, and even more remarkable, they did not increase respiration, as one would have expected given the high temperature. I did this on the advice of Neale Monks. I was discussing this with Ian Fuller last week, and he agreed on the heat method for cories being more safe than any "medication."

Characins have an unusually high chemical sensitivity. When a characin is injured, it releases an alarm pheromone called Schreckstoff into the water that triggers an escape response in other members of the species. Other species do not respond to the presence of the pheromones. This chemical warning system may explain their heightened sensitivity to medications and fluctuating water conditions in the aquarium. All characins are highly sensitive to water parameters and conditions; the water quality should be stable, and use of medications should be avoided unless absolutely essential.

Edit. Just remembered another example with characins...if you scatter fish food on the surface of their habitat waters, characins are inevitably the first fish to sense it, significantly before other fish families. That chemical sensitivity again.

 

[corylover5]

One of my tanks had ich in it a few weeks ago and I raised my temp to 86F and all 8 of my cories pulled through with no issues at all. I was also nervous about raising the temp but none of my cories seemed to mind since it was only at 86F for 2 weeks. I also added an extra air stone for them to give more oxygen. Good luck!

 

[Perbud]

Ok now I have three tetras with one or two white dots .Its been a week at 82F .As you know I also have corys.Do you think the boosting temps to 86F will harm the tetras?

 

[Byron]

Ok now I have three tetras with one or two white dots .Its been a week at 82F .As you know I also have corys.Do you think the boosting temps to 86F will harm the tetras?

The temperature must be up to 86F, or the ich will not be killed. Increase surface agitation to ensure good oxygen/CO2 exchange.

 

[Perbud]

I just don’t want to kill the corys or tetras at 86F

 

[JuiceBox52]

They will be fine short term at that temperature

 

[Perbud]

What do you consider short term a week ok?

 

[corylover5]

Typicaly you should keep it at 86F for 2 weeks to kill the ich. I kept mine at 86F for 3 weeks with cories just to be sure all the ich was gone and the cories all did well the whole time.

 

[Perbud]

Sounds good do you think tetrAs will endure it As well?

 

[corylover5]

Tetras should be ok with 86F for 2 weeks. Just make sure you have good surface agitation for the fish.