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Ok this is kind of a 4 part question

My fish were rubbing themselves up against my little house ornament and sometimes the gravel. I looked on the internet and had that behavior (called glancing) for a number of diseases. I went to Petsmart and the lady there said it was probably Ick. So I got the Tank Buddies Clear Ick. It says to only use one tablet, though many places I have read say it takes a lot longer. Now the top of the tank is almost covered in bubbles. Not sure if they are still glancing or not. So I guess my questions are:

1) Is this disease Ick? (I haven't seen any white spots on the fish, just them glancing off things)

2) Are these bubbles being caused by the medication or is it something else?

3) Do I have to treat the tank for more then the 1 day the package says?

4) Is there anything else I should be doing to help my little fishes? (Tank is at 80 degrees Farenheit and have added salt to my aquarium)

Please help I hate to have my fishes hurting.

Thanks

Jamie

ok. take a breath, let me help you. ready?
well.
if the fish are rubbing then they may have ich,
as for ich itself, your fish should have many or not alot of tiny white things one them.(some fish rub with no ich)
o.k i use jungle ich clear. it works really good. when u add it to the tank it should make bubbles. depending on the tank size, each tablet treats 10 USG. do not use more than the directions say. it will turn the tank blue(if u didn't notice). also remove the carbon from the filter. you don't need to add salt or the temp of the water.[did u even read the box](it says u don't have to) [but without it the temp going up is a good start) the bubbles are letting the meds go into the tank. it should only take one tablet, but u can do up to three.
p..s welcome to f.p

Lawnboy, please don't put any more medication in the tank until we can get some answers from you. Since you are new to the site, we don't know what your experience is yet.

Is this your first tank?

Flashing, flicking or glancing as you call it can be caused by many things. Before we assume parasites are involved we rule out environmental factors. One cause is a toxin called nitrite. It will also make them gasp near the surface sometimes or "play" in the filter outflow or bubbles.

We need to know what your "parameters" are to see if you have either ammonia or nitrite. If your tank is new and less than 4-6 weeks old, then it is very possible your tank is undergoing cycling and at this time, the fish would be exposed to nitrites. Do you have test kits that would let you post your ammonia and nitrite levels? If not, please take a bag of water to the store and ask the staff to check it. They often do it for free. It is very important that you write the numbers down and post them for us. Also ask for pH readings.

pH changes can also cause it. Are you using any products that claim to adjust pH or make the pH "just right"? If you are using something like that, stop using it. More than likely it is not necessary. Such products make the pH yoyo and the fish will scratch in response, if they don't succumb to stress.

Some fertilizers can cause it so if you are using ferts you may want to stop.

If your tank is "cycling", then the medicine that is in the water can slow it down and drive those toxin numbers higher. Therefore, if your tank is less than 4-6 weeks old and you are not sure if there is ammonia or nitrite, I would do an immediate, partial water change of about 25%. BUT - bag some water for the fish store first. It is VERY IMPORTANT that you not alter the overall temp of your tank more than 1-1.5F during the water change. Sudden drops can bring on ich or worsten it. Sudden increases can bring on infection.

If you see fish gasping, you should lower your temperature just about 1F every 12 hours until you get lower - like about 76-77F. This will provide more oxygen.

We need to know how big the tank is and what kind of fish you have in it. And, how many fish are in it.

Try your best to anser ALL of my questions.

Last edited by Cory_Di at 23-Mar-2005 22:49

Last edited by Cory_Di at 23-Mar-2005 22:54

There is not much to add to what Cory_Di said. Just make sure to mention:
1)the size of your aquarium and
2)the number of fish you have (and their type) and
3)how much salt you add and how often,
4)how often you make water changes and how much water you change each time.
Along with the measures from the tests of your water that cory_Di asked you'll probably find the source of your problem.