Whitespot

[sammy86]

Over the past few days i noticed that my Platys had what i 'think' is whitespot.
they are tiny sugar sized white dots all over their scales.

i read that turning up the temp kills it off - so i turned it up
this morning the spots have completly vanished

does this mean the whitespot is vanquished? or will i still have to treat the water?
(something i want to avoid as i have snails)

 

[timmystood]

I would say that the whitespot has gone if you cannot see it anymore. HOWEVER, continue with the same higher temp. for the next 4-5 days and keep checking the tank reguarly for signs of the whitespot coming back.

 

[rfisher]

Over the past few days i noticed that my Platys had what i 'think' is whitespot.
they are tiny sugar sized white dots all over their scales.

i read that turning up the temp kills it off - so i turned it up
this morning the spots have completly vanished

does this mean the whitespot is vanquished? or will i still have to treat the water?
(something i want to avoid as i have snails)

Hi sammy,

What temperature did you set the tank to just out of interest.

Rich

 

[sammy86]

er 28c i believe

 

[timmystood]

When people in my shop ask what temp I usually say 30c if their treating whitespot. However, some people will recommened different temps.

 

[sammy86]

I would say that the whitespot has gone if you cannot see it anymore. HOWEVER, continue with the same higher temp. for the next 4-5 days and keep checking the tank reguarly for signs of the whitespot coming back.

thankyou i will definatly keep my beedy eyes open!

 

[andywg]

Anything below 30 C is not goping to cure whitespot. And by increasing the temp all you are doing is quickening up the life cycle, which will lead to a more sever infection quicker.

It is recommended that you increase the temperature and then add some actual treatment (be it salt or chemical). The point of raising the temp is to get more of the pathogen into the life-stage where it is succeptible to treatment.

 

[sammy86]

When people in my shop ask what temp I usually say 30c if their treating whitespot. However, some people will recommened different temps.

it went higher than 28c that was what i set my heater too. - with the light and room temp (hot day) it went hotter - but whatever it was it has seemed to have killed it off however ill definatly keep a look out

 

[Joviella]

Anything below 30 C is not goping to cure whitespot. And by increasing the temp all you are doing is quickening up the life cycle, which will lead to a more sever infection quicker.

It is recommended that you increase the temperature and then add some actual treatment (be it salt or chemical). The point of raising the temp is to get more of the pathogen into the life-stage where it is succeptible to treatment.

I agree , just raising the temperature is unlikely to cure whitespot. I have always had success treating whitespot with king british white spot terminator. I have not had an outbreak for a very long time now though.
Just to say that I don't believe in adding salt to freshwater set ups.........because most people don't know what fish can tolerate salt or not.

 

[sammy86]

Anything below 30 C is not goping to cure whitespot. And by increasing the temp all you are doing is quickening up the life cycle, which will lead to a more sever infection quicker.

It is recommended that you increase the temperature and then add some actual treatment (be it salt or chemical). The point of raising the temp is to get more of the pathogen into the life-stage where it is succeptible to treatment.

I agree , just raising the temperature is unlikely to cure whitespot. I have always had success treating whitespot with king british white spot terminator. I have not had an outbreak for a very long time now though.
Just to say that I don't believe in adding salt to freshwater set ups.........because most people don't know what fish can tolerate salt or not.

i have whitespot treatment but i really dont want to use it as ive been told it will kill my snails
my snails cost more than the fish!
so i really dont want to loose them

i dont have anywhere (except a large jug) to house my snails in the meantime.

 

[andywg]

I agree , just raising the temperature is unlikely to cure whitespot. I have always had success treating whitespot with king british white spot terminator. I have not had an outbreak for a very long time now though.
Just to say that I don't believe in adding salt to freshwater set ups.........because most people don't know what fish can tolerate salt or not.

Using salt as a tonic is not a good idea, but all fish (including loaches and corries and plecs and others) can tolerate short term treatment with salt to rid them of ich.