Ich

[karawr]

I know someone else here has a thread with ich but I don't want to bombard their thread.

I recently bought 5 ember tetras. Today I took a look and they all have ich

It is a 20g long, corydoras habrosus fry, red cherry shrimp and now 5 ember tetras. 0 ammonia/nitrite.

I have raised the temp it should be around 78 tomorrow morning then I will raise it to 80.. etc.. gradually increasing temp..

I haven't noticed any spots on the fry. Should I separate the tetras? I have a spare 10g but no filter/heater for it.

What is a very easy to get med that works well? (I have limited resources, which is why I stress -very- common med..)
Will this effect my shrimp?
Can I do large daily w/c during medication? Is that something I'm supposed to do?

Currently they just have the spots. Think I can get away with only treating with heat?


First time with ich

 

[the_lock_man]

The only thing that the temperature does is speed up the life cycle of the parasite, so that they reach the treatable stage of their life quicker. It doesn't do anything to actually kill them.

A lot of people have success with treating with salt, but this depends on what species of fish you have.

Personally, I used Protozin by Waterlife, but I don't know if that's available in your neck of the woods, so, in the absence of any input from Canadian members, I would suggest a trip to your LFS and see what medications they have. Some may not be suitable for tanks with invertebrates, so read the label carefully. There is one member who lives in the US who recommends Kordon Rid-Ich, this may be easier to obtain in Canada.

One big tip, always keep dosing the med to the full extent that the instructions tell you. The parasite cannot be killed whilst still attached to the fish, only when in the free-swimming stage (IIRC), so if you stop treating when the spots disappear, the parasite isn't fully eradicated, and you will probably suffer a relapse.

Another tip, if you have either carbon or zeolite in your filter, remove it. Keep the sponges and ceramic biomedia. When you've finished the course, and are confident of no relapse, do some big water changes, and put in a carbon filter cartridge to get rid of the remains of the med. Run the carbon for 2/3 weeks.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

DO NOT ADD SALT!!! Corys are extremely sensitive to salt.


Also, cories can be extremely sensitive to meds as well. The normal recommendation is to dose at half-strength if you do go the meds route.



The most important thing for you to do is to do LOTS of water changes. Be sure to thoroughly vac the substrate as the ich parasite will fall off the fish and go into a cyst-like mode where it multiplies. Then it emerges as a free swimming thing (name escapes me currently). The only time it is susceptible to meds in during free swimming stage. Water changes will remove some of the free swimmers, as well as the cysts. This will help limit the problem, but it will not CURE it.


Heat can be used to kill ich, but it has to go much higher than 80. I believe the consensus is that it dies above 86 degrees F (unfortunately, your fish may not be able to handle that either). Some folks actually will raise (gradually, of course) their water temp to almost 90 for about two weeks (be sure to increase surface agitation A LOT as hotter water holds less oxygen) to kill off the parasite, then they gradually lower the temp for the fish. This can be dangerous, however. Sometimes it doesn't work, because there are heat-resistant strains now. Sometimes it kills the fish. Sometimes it actually works. I don't know if that will work for you or not.


If you decide to dose the tank with meds, keep a VERY close eye on the corys for signs of stress. Watch their color, and the behavior. If they seem stressed dilute the meds.

 

[karawr]

Yes definitely will not add salt.. I am aware that cories are completely intolerant of it.

I will go to lfs and get meds but unfortunately I can't go until tomorrow.. Of course this had to happen the night before the busiest day of my semester jam packed with exams...... Sigh

Should I keep temp at 80 even with medication? I will do daily w/c as well.

Thank you.

 

[Man of fish]

This is what I originally posted yes. No it's not about ich anymore. Turns out my fish have true fungus and I only have 3 left from 15 a week ago.

 

[Aqua Tom]

I had an Ich epidemic which wiped out my school of cardinals. I treated the tank with increased temprature & Interpet Anti White spot, which is basicly Formaldahyde & Malachite Green Oxalate. This did the trick.

My esteemed collegue has suggested that corys are sensitive to meds. My Corys where fine at full dosage.


Tom

 

[karawr]

Well the only thing I've found that is perhaps safe is API ich treatment. It doesn't say it's bad for invertebrates, although it does say "not safe for saltwater invertebrates". Also says use half dosage for bottom dwellers.

 

[Crossfire]

When I had ick, (i also have shrimp) i used API Super Ick Cure, (powder or liquid) or either Tetra Ick Guard. Both are safe for shrimp

 

[karawr]

That's great to hear.... I will start dosing tonight.

It says 5mL/5gals so 20mL = 20gals. Dose once. Repeat dose after 48 hours. Wait another 48 hours and do 25% w/c. Add carbon to filter. Those are the instructions.

So should I still do daily 50% w/c? Or should I just do one 50% w/c before the second dose? And does this mean I only have to dose twice (once on day one, again on day 3)?

Should I dose for longer than this? seems quite short

Sorry for the questions. Just want to make sure I do this right.

 

[karawr]

Bump. Just wanting to know if I should dose a 3rd time in two days or not (after the second dosage). Bottle says to do big w/c and start adding carbon but that seems quick.


White spots are gone, and cories look completely fine. Embers are starting to colour up a lot more and are looking a lot more active. Shrimpies are completely fine!

 

[eaglesaquarium]

IMO, its slightly better to medicate ich for a day longer than necessary than a day less. Remember, that only the free swimming form is susceptible to the meds. That is two stages after the one on your fish. So, just because there are no sores on your fish, doesn't mean the tank is free from ich. I'd wait a bit more before removing all the meds. One more day should be fine, IMHO. The last thing you want is to not eradicate them and have a strain that is resistant to these meds and a relapse occurs.

 

[Blubble37]

IMO, its slightly better to medicate ich for a day longer than necessary than a day less. Remember, that only the free swimming form is susceptible to the meds. That is two stages after the one on your fish. So, just because there are no sores on your fish, doesn't mean the tank is free from ich. I'd wait a bit more before removing all the meds. One more day should be fine, IMHO. The last thing you want is to not eradicate them and have a strain that is resistant to these meds and a relapse occurs.

+1 if they become resistant you will have to spend LOADS of money on finding a treatment they are not resistant to

 

[karawr]

Okay, I will do a 3rd dose. Thanks.