FishProfiles.com Message Forums

Hello, I think, but am not sure, that a couple of my Blue Rams have developed Ich. This is my first experience with this problem (if this is what they have). The two females recently developed small white dots all over their bodies. I would say this has occurred in the last two days. I see that there are some optins for treating Ich but I am concerned about my other fish and their tolerance of the treatment. I have in the tank at present...5 skirted tetras, three blue rams, 2 of what your webiste calls crested dwarf cichlids, 2 Nijsseni's dwarf cichlids and a pleco and an otto cat. I am most concerned about the Nijssenis since my understanding is that they are intolerant of water changes and hard water of any kind. I am really concerned. I don't know what is the best approach to take. I would like to do the salt and raising the temperature approach since I don't like adding chemicals to my tank. I also was given this thing called Parasite Clear by Tank Buddies by a friend who suggested using it. What should I do? Any advice would be appreciated. I am aobut to do a water test right now so I can post the results as soon as I have done that. Although the last test I did last week everything looked good. Please HELP!

mesonic

I suggest you read this first then come back with any questions you might have.



http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/forums/General%20Freshwater/59949.html


Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW

Hi, thanks for replying. Yes, I actually read that post last night. HOwever, I still am 1. questioning whether I can introduce salt given that I think some of my fish are intolerant of salt (wondering if anyone has an opinion on that) 2. is this thing contagious or not...some seem to say it is and if its there all my fish are going to die and others seem to say its not. 3. the wisdom of using chemical treatments such as this Parasite Clear I've been given.

mesonic
is this thing contagious or not?
That is possibly a very technical qiestion. The Ich parasite goes through a cycle as you know, and transfers from one fish to another by that method. If you mean can it be caught by a fish touching another fish I would say possibly not.

introduce salt.
There has been some debate on that subject but I have not seen any scientific proof that is the correct method to use.

the wisdom of using chemical treatments
There are plenty of good chemical around today, my only suggestion is ask which works the best under your circumstances, and always use as directed.

I hope this help you just a little bit more.

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW

Personally I don't like using salt as a medication. Additionally if done incorrectly using heat will only make matters worse. Heat alone will only kill the ich parasite at a temperature in excess of what many fish can handle (temps in excess of 90F, some references say 95F) and therefore should only be used in extream situations.

I've used other medications in the past from jungle labs (their fungus clear tank buddies). In each of the three cases I had of ich (right in a row too >.&lt in three different tanks I used maracide with great success. However looking over your stock (specifically the bottom feeders) I'd suggest going with a medication safe for clown loaches (they are more sensitive to medications than most fish). Here in the states even the chain LFS's sell Rid Ich +. It might be worth it to see if it's available in Canada. One thing to keep in mind is that you want to start treatment ASAP as it's only short period of time when the cycst has fallen off the fish that it's killable (is that a word ).

^_^[hr width='40%']"There’s an emptiness inside her. And she’d do anything to fill it in.
And though it’s red blood bleeding from her now. It's more like cold blue ice in her heart.
She feels like kicking out all the windows. And setting fire to this life."

Last edited by Babelfish at 05-Jun-2005 06:43

i just add ich meds, salt, and new water. the jungle products are good, just add one and the next day add another one and soon problem solved. that usually works for me.

Rid ich claims to be low on copper complex contaminants, however, it is not saf; in fact, NO copper medication is safe for micro-scaled fish (which are actually more susceptible to copper based chemicals than armored scaleless fish) such as clown loaches. Salt seems to be an unpopular method here, but it is a safer alternative to any malachite containing med. I believe there is an all natural ich remedy sold out there. pm Sneaky Pete about it.

HI, Thank you everyone for all your replies and advice. I think I have successfully eliminated the Ich. I did have one casuality though unfortunately:#(. I used Rid Ich which seemed to work well. My tank seems to be doing well now and everyone seems happy. Thanks again for the advice.

I would continue treating the water for a few days after the last sign of ich, as the ich could be free floating around. Good luck!