Ick?

[Barracuda518]

I just got a couple of yoyo loaches the other day and was looking at them today and noticed that two of them had a couple of white specs on them. Not really big specs. They are eating and acting normal and all the other fish dont have any spots. I even had a Red Tail Shark and he has no signs. Is this ick? Please Help!

 

[xxSarahxx]

I'm not good on my loaches but white spot () the stress of chagning tanks may have brought it on.
What are your water stats?
Did you acclimitise the fish appropriately?

 

[Barracuda518]

I dont know what the stats are, Ill have to check...As far as I know I acclimitised them right...the tank as been running for 2 months and all the other fish have been fine...

 

[xxSarahxx]

It would be good if you could get some stats. Many LFS do free water testing these days..call yours and find out as it will be worth it anyway. Actually, it's worth buying a test kit as they can save fish lives as it gives good guidelines.
I have a set guideline for acclimitisation.......

 

[xxSarahxx]

Acclimatising Fish
1) Float the bag in the tank for 20-30 minutes (I actually clip it to the side of the tank so that it doesn't float around but stays in one place)
2) Open the bag with the fish in and pour some of the tank water into the bag. (this help the water to be as similar as possible) Leave for another 15 minutes.
3) Repeat Step 2 and fill the bag as much as possible with tank water. (When filling the bag with tank water it is much easier if they are pinned/clipped to the side of the tank otherwise the bag will sink, just ensure that there is air in the top of the bag too or the bag is fully open) Leave for another 15 minutes.
4) Carefully pour the fish with their water into the tank from their bag.


If you followed something similar to this then you should be fine. Did you add anything to help de-stress the fish - I use nutrafin aquaplus for example.

 

[Barracuda518]

I floated them for the right amount of time...

Some stats I just got:

Temp: 78
PH: 7.1
Water Cycles: Once a Week, 20% of water (no live plants)

I dont have any test kits for the other things..

 

[xxSarahxx]

That's not too bad. Could do with some more test results but understand you can't get them.
What other fish have you got in there?

 

[xxSarahxx]

just had another thought...any pictures/photos so I can have a look? it would help

 

[tttnjfttt]

Do the "white spots" look like grains of salt or small whtie bumps?
Also, how big is your tank, what other fish are in there?

As for the water test kit, I consider it an essiential investment. Ammonia and nitrite are very toxic to fish, and I would say 80%+ of the time, when fish get sick, it is because of bad water. Big Als Online has a good master test kit for pretty cheap. When looking for a test kit, you want a liquid based one as opposed to the dip stick type, because liquid is alot more reliable. You will want tests for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH (which you have).

Ich will infect all your fish, so you will need to treat the entire tank with meds. Slowly raising the temperature (~2 degrees per day) will help speed up the life cycle. Here is a link with more info on ich. http/badmanstropicalfish.com/articles/article2.html

EDIT: Wrong link. Also, doing frequent gravel vacumings will help remove some of the parasites.

 

[Barracuda518]

I can get the other test, I jsut have to go get a kit..I could get a picture, but have no way of getting it online... I might run out and see if I can get a test kit.

Other fish in the tank: Zebra Danios, Cory Cats and a Red Tail Shark, none showing any signs. The tank is a 30 us Gallon

If im not mistaken, the Red Tails are very sensitive to ick, but hes fine...

Im very worried at this point and not sure what to do..

The spots are very small...like salt...

 

[xxSarahxx]

get a test kit and then tell us the results. we can take it from there! tttnjftt is right it is an essential investment.

 

[Barracuda518]

get a test kit and then tell us the results. we can take it from there! tttnjftt is right it is an essential investment.

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Oh I agree 100%..I just forgot to get one...So do I have time to get a kit by tommorrow if I cant get one tonight? Im really worried about the Loaches..Ive had them for like 3 days and am already very attached to them B)

Thanks for your help

 

[tttnjfttt]

For tonight, do a water change, which will help remove any of the parasites in the gravel as well as begin to correct any problems with your water. Right now, i would guess your water isn't the source of the problem, just that the loaches came in sick (which is why it is recomended to quarentine new fish for 2 weeks). If you have ich meds on hand I would begin treatment. Make sure you read the instructions very carefully as scaleless fish can be very sensitive to meds in their water. Also, begin raising the temperature to speed up the ich life cycle.

Adding an air stone will hlep keep the oxygen level up, as warmer temeperatures and the medicines can depelte the oxygen (not always necessary to do this, just watch how they are acting).

 

[xxSarahxx]

You will get very attached...it actually shows you are a caring owner as does posting the problems on here!
Don't ever be afraid to ask for help...it's why this forum exists!
Talk to the place where you got them from as they may have others from the same stock that have come down with it...also (although it is difficult due to attachement) but they may reinburse you or swap for healthier fish. It might be worth talking to them.

 

[Barracuda518]

how much of the water should I change?