Very New - Have Ich Question

[NewFish10]

Hi everyone

A little information first. I am new to this forum and fishkeeping. 5 1/2 weeks into it. I have a 10 gallon freshwater tank that I cycled with 2 dwarf neon dwarf gourami. For the last 1 1/2 weeks all readings are great.
ammonia 0.0
nitrite 0.0
nitrate 15 to 20.0
ph 7.8 to 8.0 (slightly high - according to LFS this is normal for our area)

5 days ago I added 2 fancy guppies. I didn't have a quarantine tank so I added to my 10 gallon.

Anyway, to my problem. Two days ago I notice a raised white spot on one of my gourami's. I've seen Ich on some poor fish at a local department store so I know what it looks like. I am concerned that my dwarf has it. I did my research online, read all about, and then went to my LFS. I just don't trust their advice though. Bought some "Quick Cure" for Ich. But now I am not sure if
my fish has it. It's been 48 hours (I haven't added the Quick Cure yet) and the spot doesn't seem to be as raised as before and there are no other white spots on him that are raised or any of the other fish. If it is Ich wouldn't it have gotten worse already and spread? I don't have the means to remove the spot and examine under a microscope like I have read about to confirm the diagnosis.

I have read the Quick Cure can be harsh on fish, so I don't want to use it if I am just acting like an overly worried new mom.

What should I do? Should I medicate the tank just to be sure? Wait and see if more spots appear or if the current spot goes away? Will adding the Quick Cure mess with the cycled tank? Could it kill my fish?

Sorry this is so long. I am confused I have read and gotten so much conflicting info. Thanks for all your help in advance.
New Fish owner

 

[karmagl]

Ich won't really look like a raised white lump. It will look like a grain of salt resting on them. Look for more spots or if the others get any then treat right away. Ich medicine can be hard on your tank and on your fish. I only use it when I am sure but I also have scaless fish so I have to be careful. If I am ever in doubt I use either pima fix or melafix depending on what I think it is only because they are all natural and won't hurt your fish. But these will not treat ich. So if they start showing more signs then use the ich medicine. Also look for darting around trying to scratch themselves on things.

 

[NewFish10]

Thanks Toni for your response.

The white spot the first day did look like a salt. The fish has done some darting around the first night, but last night he only did it once or so that I seen.

Also, do you know does medication effect the nitrogen cycle in the tank?

 

[WILDER]

Fish can dart around with parasites.
Parasite meds sometimes can knock the water stats, but not always.

 

[karmagl]

Sometimes it can. Be sure to have your carbon filters out and to do plenty of water changes. Also turn up your heat it makes the ich spread faster but die faster also, I do a small water change every other day right before I put the medication in. Good luck.

 

[esquirette2007]

What happens is the cyst on the fish that looks like salt crystals, bursts and puts more baby parasites into the water. That would be why the spot may look smaller.

Ich can kill your fish quickly. Quick Cure works great for me. Stains the silicone sealant in the corners of the tank a pretty blue, too. Take the carbon filter out, follow the directions on dosage for different kinds of fish, etc.

You can raise the water temp to 79+ and add salt. But, you have to wait for the free-swimming parasites to burst from the cysts in order to be killed by the warmer temperatures. You may lose the fish waiting for that part of the cycle to happen.

I feed them baby brine shrimp while treating immediately with Quick Cure and never lose them anymore.

Best,

KK