Ich Advice

[DRLashambe]

Hey Folks:

I actually have two competing problems in my tank. I have 6 small (about 1 inch) clown loaches, and 1 plecos in a 29 g tank. I'm still battling new tank syndrome (still in the high ammonia stage, but I'm treating that with Prime). My loaches have developed Ich. I'm using Rid-Ich+, and I've removed the carbon filter as instructed. Is it likely that the lack of filter will cause extra problems with my ammonia levels?

 

[Lotus]

Removing the carbon won't affect your cycle. Make sure your filter is still running, though, even if it has no media in it.

 

[DRLashambe]

Thanks, the whole ordeal of cycling my tank is stressful, and I'm sure it's much worse for the poor fish (I got some bad advice about cycling only taking a week). Is survivability from Ich very high? I started treatment as soon as I saw the spots, and I'll be following the directions to the letter.

 

[Lotus]

Survival rate should be high, as long as the treatment is working. If you started treating at the first sign, you should be OK. Try to make sure your ammonia and nitrite levels are kept low, as this will help the fish get better faster.

Sorry to hear you got bad advice. It happens all the time. It's great that you've taken the time to find out what's going on in your tank.

 

[DRLashambe]

Thanks again.

The only reason these guys are around has been online advice. My LFS hasn't always given very good advice. The loaches seem to be going about their regular activities (playing in the bubble wall, searching for food on the bottom, etc, so I feel pretty confident that the treatment isn't hurting them.

 

[mcshell]

Ick is quite common and quite easy to cure.
Good luck and keep up with the water changes!

 

[revfred]

If it is any encouragement, I've had excellent results with Rid-Ich+. Yep, you are doing the right thing ... following the instructions to the letter. Just make sure you carry on the treatment long enough .. ich can be very stubborn. If the fish seem to be tolerating the med well, then do a day using the recommendation for the "stubborn case" dosing.

 

[DRLashambe]

Thanks RevFred. I'm also doing daily 50% water changes (part of dealing with the Ammonia problem) so I'm hoping that reduces the stress on the fish from the Ich. Because Clown Loaches are so prone to Ich, I had the medicine on hand "just in case," so I'm pretty confident I started treatment as soon as was possible. Everyone is telling me that Rid-Ich+ is very effective, so I am very encouraged.

 

[mopedman]

Since we are on the topic of Ick, I thought that I would post here instead of starting a new thread. I have 4 tiger barbs in a 20 gallon tank. For the last day or two, they havn't been eating and today I see these white strips hanging on them almost like they swam through a cobweb. I am guessing that it is ick so I went and bought this Ick Clear tank buddies fizzing tablets. Has anyone used them? Do they work? I think it is cool how it turned my water blue. *BOUNCINGS How long does it usually take for Ick to be cured? For the filter thing I just pulled out the pad on my whisper 20. It is still on it is just circulating the water in the tank like a waterfall. Is that ok? Thanks

 

[dss2004]

That is not ich. Ich is a parasite that attaches itself to the host. It comes in only one form, white spots, usually the size of a grain of salt or bigger. The cobwebs could possibly be some for of a fungus where you wouldn't want an ich medication but a fungus medication. I am actually treating two rasboras in my Q-tank for fungus (have it on the mouth) and I used the jungle medicine and it cleared it up in two days!!! As with any medication make sure you take the carbon out and follow the directions closely!!!

 

[bravefish90]

I've also used the Jungle product for fungus, it worked in three days on four female guppies.

 

[mopedman]

Well on of the tiger barbs have died and I took it and a sample of water to my lfs and they said that it isn't ich. When they tested my water everything was good except for a ph of 6.2. So I bought some nuetral 7.0 powder. I will continue the ich treatment anyway. Do you think that is what killed the barb? It is like their fins are rotting. Is that a fungus? Thanks

 

[timisu87]

Fin rot I believe is what your tigerbarb had.

 

[trouthead]

I wouldn't worry about your pH, 6.2 is fine and adjusting it likely to stress out you fish (or worse).

Your symptoms sound like a fungal infection and I would treat for that.

 

[Purple]

Actually, fin rot can be fungal or bacterial - as it's a symptom not a specific disease.

Most Anti-Bacterial meds contain a sympathetic anti-fungal additive as secondary infections are common. Read the lable on the meds 'till you find one that treats for both (bacterial and fungal), then you can't go wrong.

 

[mopedman]

Thanks for the replies but it's a bit to late.