Rate My Fish Tank

Thu Oct 01, 2009 11:22 pm GMT   Reply      

I purchased a pair of clown loaches within a week they were covered in white spots. I had read that they can catch this disease rather easily.. So I started an ich treatment that I had successfully used before. Within a week and the spots went away, this was yesterday. I was excited as I could now do a water change and get things back to normal. I checked them out again today and a couple of spot showed up again.. I am confused as none of my other fish have shown signs of having ich. I was thinking of adding aquarium salt as it helped my other tank, but I wasnt sure if it will harm my current stock of fish( bala sharks, tiger barbs, angel fish, rainbow shark, gourami and cory. Any advices is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Fri Oct 02, 2009 4:02 pm GMT   Reply      

We need more details. what kind of meds
do you have live plants
how long were you susoposed to treat the tank.

But heres some stuff I know. Yes add some salt It will help the loaches and the the other fishes immune actulary its best too always have salt in. and try a saltwaterbath but Ive never done one so read up on it before. If you can get a qouritine tank like a 1o-2o gallon.

Fri Oct 02, 2009 4:05 pm GMT   Reply      

Other wise its not a big deal as long as it eats and get some stuff that will help along the way and some meds that mess up the parisites life cycle. Nothing too worry about so remember that.

Fri Oct 02, 2009 5:05 pm GMT   Reply      

You stopped the "blue" medication 3-4 days too early.

ICK lives part of it's life outside the fish in a free swimming form.

This is the only time in it's life cycle it can be killed.

Medicate again, and keep dosing daily for 3-4 days after the spots are gone.

Then they won't come back.

The med commonly used for ICK is formalin blue, or something like that, and it should be used exactly as directed. Too much is harmful to fish.

Fri Oct 02, 2009 5:10 pm GMT   Reply      

Sorry mro2you2.

There's a good reason not to quaranteen the fish. The ICK is not only on the fish, but in another part of it's life, a free swimming organism, so quaranteening won't do any good, but only prolong the infestation.

You have to treat the entire tank to get them all.

Fri Oct 02, 2009 9:02 pm GMT   Reply      

no its fine thats how old school. ;)

Fri Oct 02, 2009 10:30 pm GMT   Reply      

I do have live plants. I have been using Kordons RidIch organic treatment. It says to treat for a week and then for a couple of days after the spots disappear. I though that it was gone and tomorrow would have been my tenth day. I thought of quarinting them after I do a water change seeing as none of the other fish dont seem to have it.. But I have read that you must treat the whole tank because it was a free swiming disease. But doesnt it only doe that until if finds a host body? Thanks for the input guys.. hope this further information helps...

Sat Oct 03, 2009 1:06 am GMT   Reply      

The ICK often lives in the fish's gills and can't be seen sometimes.

I've never heard of this organic treatment either, so I don't know how well it works.

The most common med is also the most commonly stocked fish-related med in stores, and it's for ICK, the most commonly seen fish disease by far.

The med is a very dark blue color and you only need a drop or two per gallon, so a little bottle goes a long way.

As I said earlier, this meds main ingredient is formalin blue (I'm pretty sure) and can be found anywhere fish supplies are sold.

Maybe what you're using is good too and you needed to dose a day or two longer. I don't know. Maybe google search the product to find customer feedback so you're not using a product that doesn't work.

Sat Oct 03, 2009 1:15 am GMT   Reply      

Just don't stop the treatment you're currently using. Maybe it does work and it'll just take a couple or few more days.

Some people also say to raise the water temp to say 80 or a little more depending on the fish and plants, and this will speed up the ICK's life cycle, and subsequently the length of time you need to treat..

If the spots don't go away within say 2-3 days with the med you're using I'd switch to the proven one I mentioned earlier.

Also, if you removed anything like a filter pad because it has charcoal in it don't put it back in after the ICK is gone. There may be a few of the buggers living in there.

Good luck.

Sat Oct 03, 2009 6:08 am GMT   Reply      

With my experince as temping as it is to get nature because you want to be "green" or not leave Co2 into the air or not to be the care free repuliction....... IT aent worth it.

Sun Oct 04, 2009 9:16 pm GMT   Reply      

I just wanted to give you guys an update.. I did about a 75% water change and I elevated the temperature in my tank to 82-84 degrees and added some aquarium salt.. Its been a day and all signs of Ick are gone.. My little clown loaches are thriving and have been very active, the most I have seen them since I got them. I am still wondering how long I should leave the temperature elevated? Also, should I go back to my normal water changing schedule? I know that this isint their ideal water temp.

Sun Oct 04, 2009 9:24 pm GMT   Reply      

I'd treat for 2 more days and then go back to your normal mantinence schedule.

Mon Oct 05, 2009 7:39 am GMT   Reply      

The temperature is the key. Several degrees can make a difference of a week in the ick life-cycle. That temp (82-84) nearly guarantees you're going to hit them within 48-72 hours with a full-near full dose of whatever will wipe them out (assuming you're re-dosing per water change). Glad to hear it seems your clowns are going to make it. I had 6 kuhlis which weren't so fortunate.

Some people raise their temps even higher (up to 90ish) but I think they are braver souls than I.

You have a nice looking tank.