my poor pictus

[kwbear3]

my pictus cat has some ich spots i raised the temp and added meds but was wondering if a little salt will hurt him. his whiskers are starting to curl, i checked my tank and my nitrate is a little high (40 ppm) will that slow his recovery? i bought some plants to help the nitrate, what else can i do?

 

[lady_tanksalot]

have you turned the light off?

 

[kwbear3]

will turning the lights off help? i'll do anything i already lost one pictus i can't lose another.

 

[digital_run]

Pictus cats will have curled whiskers when kept in poor water conditions. yes your high Nitrate level will probably slow in hsi recovery. This is probably what caused the outbreak of ich. When they are kept in poor conditions they are stressed and open for new disease. Is he the only Pictus you have?? I would turn up the heat to about 84 and get your water quality under control. What size tank do you have him in? A little more info and we can probably help.

Ðigital_run

 

[kwbear3]

unfortunately he's the only pictus i have, he's about 3.5 inches long so i have him in a 29 gal. when he gets a little bigger i'll put him in a 55. is there a faster way to get the nitrate down? i have some nitrate remover but it doesn't work very fast, hence i bought more plants. everything else in my tank is good neutral ph, no ammonia no nitrite, soft water.

 

[digital_run]

Do a thorough gravel vac and water change...Even if you have to do a 10-20% water change a day to get the nitrates down you can...Also i'd advise getting him some friends and a bigger tank. Pims like to be in numbers and find security when with others...being alone probably puts added stress on him. Hope he pulls through! If you have anymore Q? feel free to ask

Ðigital_run

 

[kwbear3]

thank you for the suggestions, i'll get him some friends. i've had him for about a month i'll be devastated if he doesn't make it, thanx again.

 

[digital_run]

No problem kwbear ... Pictus are great fish and when kept with others and in a large enough tank they really shine...I have 5 myself and love the way they seach the tank in a loose school looking for prey. Good luck!!!

Ðigital_run