White Spot - Loaches, Tigers And Krib

[Miles_hot]

We have got white spot (white spots on the tails of some of the fish, especially the dwarf chain loaches) and they have been flashing for a while now but until now there has been no actual sign that this was not just playful behaviour.

Given the mix of fish what would you suggest? Our plan of attach at the moment is to treat the whole tank with salt and raise the temp a bit. We will add a second pump to increase aeration of the water to combat the temp rise.

Is this the right thing to do and what level of salt to top out at given the presence of the loaches?

many thanks

miles

 

[Tizer]

I recently used waterlife protozin, i also ramped up the temp to 30 degrees too, dosed half recommended. problem gone after two weeks. salt is bit questionable depending on stock.

 

[KkAaNnEe]

I used protozin too, gone within a week

 

[Miles_hot]

Oh by the way we have some Ektol cristal which mentions Icthyophthirius as something that it deals with however it is possible that the're just claiming to cure everything If this stuff could work it would be nice to be able to start the treatment 12-24 hours before we'd be able to get any other meds / salt.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

Miles

 

[Tizer]

never used it myself, so cant comment, can only suggest following the instructions on the box and half dose if you have loaches. Dont use salt if you have corys.

 

[Miles_hot]

is it safe to combine meds - i.e. use what we've got for tonight and then in a few days when we can use the stuff you mentioned switch to that?

Miles

 

[Tizer]

no reason to rush into it mate, take a breath just turn up the temp, that can speed up the cycle and when you got the meds you want to use, add them. Its quite possible a high temp will cure it anyway without meds, its been done plenty.

 

[OldMan47]

I always use the salt treatment that is discussed in a location you can reach using the link in my signature. It is called Ich Info.

 

[Miles_hot]

Update: we bought the suggested medication and treated the fish at half dose for the full 6 days 7 days ago (i.e. they are +1 day from the last dose which was Sunday night).

They are looking a lot better, mainly clear of white spot and a lot calmer. One or two has single visible white dots on their tails and the loaches are still flashing a bit.

We now need some further advice:
1) When can I vacuum the tank - i.e. how long after the last dose do we have to leave the water at full strength given there was 3 days between doses in the middle of the treatment cycle?
2) GIven that there is still some white spot in the system do we need to re-dose? If so
2a) when? i.e. do we just carry on resetting the clock to day 1 now, or in 2 days time
2b) do we need to do anything between doses - large water change so that we know we're dealing with a 0ppm situation or an carbon filter to remove the remaining medication

Many thanks

Miles

 

[Tizer]

I did a very quick vac about 3 times, just off the surface of the substrate, trying not to drain much water, i didnt bother with a big water change, i did two of them getting rid of about 1/3 of the tank at a time. After the last water change i added a bag of carbon. Have done a couple more water changes since. All this over the course of a month.

chances are the single lone spot will fall off and die. i'd go with that.

 

[Miles_hot]

Sorry mate, it's been a long day and I'm feeling thick.

Did you do a single treatment (6 days) with 3 clean up vacs in that time or did you treat continuously for 1 month with three vacs in that time? I assume that the carbon went it at the end of the treatment (after the 1/3 water change) be that 1 month or 6 days?

Thanks

Mles

 

[Tizer]

did all the above after treatment had run its course