ichy fish

[Sunny.C]

My fish are iching agaisnt the rocks and gravel this maybe a sign of white spots,my tank is still in the progress of a cycle. If i was to add white spot treatment
into my tank will this affect the cycle or anything else?

 

[Inchworm]

Hi Sunny.C

What are your test readings?

Unless you actually see spots on your fish, don't assume it is ich.

Since your tank isn't cycled yet, you may have to increase the amount and frequency of water changes. By manually removing excess chemicals you will slow the cycling process but not stop it, and it will be much safer and much more comfortable for the fish.

 

[WILDER]

What fish do you have you could add some salt to the tank, as parasites don't like salt and turn temp up, or the cycle could be irratating there slime coat.

 

[Sunny.C]

My readings were on 1 it has gone done now because of a water change. i already add salt & also turned up temp up a little. what do your mean by "or the cycle could be irratating there slime coat"??

 

[Inchworm]

Hi Sunny.C

Do you see any white spots? If so, it could be ich. If your fish do not look like they have been sprinkled with salt, then treating for ich will do no good and could possibly do harm.

Your ammonia and nitrite readings must be brought all the way down to zero. Since it is cycling, you might want to keep a little tiny bit, but not much. I wouldn't want to see it higher than .25 in a cycling tank if your fish are showing symptoms.

The chemicals are burning their skin and that is why they are rubbing themselves. There is no product that will help this. The only thing you can do for your fish is to remove the cause by water changes until the reading drops. If you don't, it is not only uncomfortable for the fish, but it could lead to fatalities.