my first issue with ick!

[mizzoutank]

eeks...I don't have a QT tank at present....actually the white spots have decreased since this morning. Is that possible? It's late here now, but I will do a few more water changes in the morning...
You guys have been so halpful! Thank you!!!

It is possible because the Ich has a few stages of it's life cycle:
1: you see the spots on the fish (means you are too late for removing any other fish)
2: spots go away, and the ich lives in the water column/substrate to multiply
3: re attaches to fish

so that is why the recommended treatment is to continue things at least 4-7 days post visible signs of the ich because it is in the other stage of it's life.

(sadly this is why QT's are too important to not have, I risked it for 7months on a tank and after I got ich, it wasn't worth the stress to not have a QT)

clean water,
high temps
lots of O2
meds that are safe

will get you through this.

[jaysee]

86 sounds high, but i'll do it....

All my new fish get mandatory heat treatments while in quarantine. I haven't found a fish that couldn't handle it.

[Lady Hobbs]

I don't understand why you would treat with medication for one day then remove it all and switch treatments. Pick one treatment and stick with it.

Heat of 86 degrees.........OR......
An Ick Medication with temps of about 82........OR....
Adding aquarium salt to a tank of about 82 (1 T. per 5 gallon)

With the heat treatment or with the medication treatment, add an airstone or drop the water level for more oxygen lev els. Remove all charcoal from the filter if using medication.

Pick a treatment and stick with it rather than switching around mid way through it.