Whitespot - Ich

[CarloUK]

Hi
My fish have got tiny whitespots on them. I am told its Probably Ich. I have purchased some treatment called "eSHa EXIT"

The man in the shop said turn the temperature up to 29 for a day then treat for 3 days then do a water change. The instructions say dont turn the temperature up and no need to water change other than your usual routine but treat for the 3 days.

Should i turn the temperature up ?

I read the ich can come from stress. About a week ago I introduced a small vampire crab all seemed well but I think its him coming down at night to gravel level and stressing them out. Because the fish are now ramming them self in the bushes to try and sleep. The shop said it would be ok in my tank, now ive read they get the size of my hand

Ps The crab has escaped now for over a day so he is no longer a problem.

 

[NeonBlueLeon]

Ich is caused by a parasite, and contrary to popular belief, is not always present in a tank.  The parasite can be eradicated from a tank.
 
The reason why he recommended increasing the temperature is to speed up the life cycle of the Ich parasite.  If you speed up the life cycle, the faster the medication will take effect.  I, personally, would at treat for longer than three days.
 
For the record, and I always say this about treating Ich, heat + salt (table salt, aquarium salt) is the safest treatment for Ich.  Be careful with medications.

 

[CarloUK]

Ich is caused by a parasite, and contrary to popular belief, is not always present in a tank.  The parasite can be eradicated from a tank.
 
The reason why he recommended increasing the temperature is to speed up the life cycle of the Ich parasite.  If you speed up the life cycle, the faster the medication will take effect.  I, personally, would at treat for longer than three days.
 
For the record, and I always say this about treating Ich, heat + salt (table salt, aquarium salt) is the safest treatment for Ich.  Be careful with medications.

He said raising the temperature makes them drop of the fish. Then you treat. The instructions by the manufacturer says 3 days

 

[NeonBlueLeon]

Ehhhh I've never heard of heat making Ich drop off a fish.  Don't increase the heat without treating the Ich or you'll be facing a massive outbreak.  It has been scientifically proven that higher temperatures increases the life cycle rate of the Ich parasite.
 
When it comes to fishkeeping, you can seldom trust manufacturers and employees at fish/pet stores.  Joking, but only a little.
 
Try the meds and let us know how they work out. 

 

[CarloUK]

One more thing before i dose.
Will my 2 trumpet snails be ok ?

 

[NeonBlueLeon]

I saw some posts saying that eSHa EXIT is safe for inverts.  Double check the medication bottle/box.

 

[CarloUK]

Just added it. Dam this stuff stains can't get it off my hands.  
Its a bit scary as the water has gone green. I followed the instructions dosage though (10 drops in 50L)
5 more tomorrow then 5 the next day.  I will report back at the weekend.
 
Carlo

 

[daizeUK]

Ehhhh I've never heard of heat making Ich drop off a fish.  Don't increase the heat without treating the Ich or you'll be facing a massive outbreak.  It has been scientifically proven that higher temperatures increases the life cycle rate of the Ich parasite.

 
The meds only affect the parasite in one particular stage of its life cycle, so the idea of raising temperature is to speed up the life cycle to get it into its 'vulnerable' state, as I understand it.

 

[Meeresstille]

If you scroll down to the second page on this link it will explain the different stages quite well with pictures: http/www.environment-agency.gov.uk/static/documents/Research/Whitespot.pdf
 
The increased temperature speeds up the life cycle, so I imagine it shortens each stage of the parasite and does help with the spots falling off the fish faster.
 
If the bottle says not to turn up the heat though I would try to find out if there is a good reason for it. Since the medication could possibly be quite stressful on the fish, and increasing the temperature of the tank adds to the stress the combination of both could be too much for them!?
 
Also keep in mind that warm water holds less oxygen, so if you do increase the temperature you will want to add an airstone to the tank or if you have a waterfall-type filter you can lower the water level in the tank to create more splash with the water falling onto the surface. This too will increase the oxygen level in the tank.

 

[CarloUK]

Ok i have finished the treatment a couple of days ago and it looks like the white spot has gone. Fish seems happy as well. On the first day one of the Rummey Nose tetra's died. Other than that all the others are fine including the trumpet snails. Tomorrow I will do my normal water change and hopefully every thing is back to normal now.  The vampire crap escaped a few days ago so I don't think the fish will get stressed out again.