white spots

[smokeypea]

Hi, i am new to this, but i think one of the fish i bought 2 days ago has White Spot, i think its called ICK? anyway, i have read about treatments but an in a muddle as to what to do, i have catfish, neons, tetras in tank, the catfish has got the ick , do i use aquarium salt? raise the temp, change water? i also read not to use carbon filters but thats what the filter uses in the tank so do i need to buy another sort? please help , thanks

[rollie]

raise the temp to 85f, put 2 to 5 tablespoons of sea salt in.(your tank 20 gallon, right). catfish do not uaually get ick. your carbon filter is good. do not do water change, till the ick is gone.

[smokeypea]

thanks for reply, do i need to get some medication for the ick? every web site i go on to read about ick has different things to say, they dont agree on anything, so its more confusing lol.

[William]

What kind of catfish. Some catfish don't respond well to salt and you might be better buying an ick treatment.

[rollie]

most fish can take that amount of salt, but you could buy some ick medience, that will work to.

[smokeypea]

Thanks, its a pictus catfish, if i spelt that right, i will get some meds for the ick, and if its ok for the catfish some salt also, rasing the temp ok too? whats the best ick treatment that you can recomend? really greatful for all the advice.

[rollie]

aquarium pharmaceuticals inc. make a very good ick meds. if my catfish get ick i used salt(more than i told you to).

[smokeypea]

Thanks Rollie for you help.

[smokeypea]

Thanks Rollie for you help.

[rollie]

no problem!!

[NorthernBoy]

I always add sea salt to my aquariums to prevent disease as well smokey. I did about a teaspoon in my 50 g. and a 1/2 t. in my 20 g. every water change. Be sure you use aquarium salt. Most stores sell it in small clear containers for a couple of bucks. Looks like large grains of white crystals.

[kimmers318]

Another piece of advice is something to help the fish resist it themselves. I use stress coat to treat tap water for chlorine and it helps slime coat,, electrolyte loss and tissue regeneration. It is not a medication so you can't overdose and it has appeared to help some for me. I only ever had 1 case of ICK, in the beginning when I didn't know didly.....I did a quick water change, dosed the tank with stresscoat and haven't seen it again in 4 months. Some people feel that ICK is present in the water all of the time and just waits for a stressed fish are susceptible, others don't believe that. As you said, there are MANY different opinions. It can't hurt! ICK can be frustrating, especially when it continues to come back, which I have seen from many people. I have been lucky. Good luck, keep us updated.

[smokeypea]

thanks for all advice, i got some aquarium salt and some ick meds from the pet store, whe i got home i did a 20% water change, then put in the salt and meds, and also water conditioner, i hope i did ok, the fish seem ok, but i was worried about the salt cos i heard u shouldnt put it in when u got cat fish, but it doesnt seem to bother them. Do i still need to put the temp of water up to 85? i am slowly raising it, onoy had the tank for 2 weeks so dont know much at all, reading books lol, thanks again.

[rollie]

yes, heat to 85f.