Ich Infestation

[inareverie85]

I noticed my two Loaches had some white raised dots on them, so I researched a bit online and figured it was Ich. I've read many articles on treating it, and i know I may not see results for a week or two. I also know it's good to treat for secondary bacterial infections, so I have been doing that as well (I made sure that both meds work together). However, the medications say not to do any water changes, and my ammonia level is reaching a critical point. Some of my Gouramis, which showed no signs of Ich before, are now at the top of the tank with labored breathing. One is sitting at the bottom, but his little fins aren't moving at all. He just sits there and breathes. I fear the worst for them, but I'm not sure what else to do. I'm not supposed to do water changes or my treatment of the parasite can be disrupted, but if I don't do something about the ammonia, my fish will die anyway. I've bought 3 different products that are supposed to rid the tank or ammonia or detoxify the ammonia, but I'm not sure they're working. Naturally, my ammonia test kit would still pick up the ammonia even if its non-toxic, but my fish still seem very sick. I've been treating for Ich for about a week, and I have been struggling with the ammonia for about 3 days. What else can I do?

[digital3]

Unfortunately, it sounds like your tank isn't cycled. I would suggest pulling out your infected fish and putting them in a quarantine tank and medicate that.

Then you want to do a water change on your main tank to get your ammonia down. Unfortunately, because of Ich's lifecycle, you may need to vacuum your gravel pretty good to make sure there are no infected spores in there, but that will set your cycle back further. After that, don't vacuum again. Test for Ammonia a couple of times daily to keep it in check and supplement with water changes to keep it down.

You will probably lose fish, but hopefully you can save some of them. Sorry. Don't give up on the hobby because of boo boos, we've all made them. But research is always best. Start by reading our free E-book, located on the left column...

Good luck!

[GreenTerrorNYC]

Well, i found an article (as usual), hope this helps.

I would also add some aquarium salt usually good defense against disease, and keeps fish gills healthy.

http://freshaquarium.about.com/cs/disease/p/ich.htm

Make sure you remove your carbon from the filter when medicating, otherwise your filter will remove the medication fromt he water, aka filtering it. lol.

Good luck, make sure you do water changes about 25% every other day or so to keep the ammonia levels down while cycling.

I am going through the same process right now. Once it is over its smooth sailing.

One more thing, try not to feed too much as uneaten food creates extra ammonia as well.

Good luck

[Devon Greatwolf]

I have battled Ich on more than one occasion and never had any real luck with using meds or chemicals to treat it. I have however successfully treated ich twice recently with the "temperature only" method. This method only requires that you slowly raise the tank temp to a temp intolerable to the ich and hold it there for the duration of a life cycle. This will kill all free swiming trophants. Please remember to either lower your water level if you use a HOB filter or add extra airstones if you dont. This is by far the most effective and usually least stressful to the inhabitants way of dealing with ich. I am sorry I can not go in top more detail on the method currently as I am at work and should be doing some work. You should be able to research the temperature only method with G**gle or you rprefered search engine and posibbly even find some articles here.

please see the following per the temp only and/or salt treatment: http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/ich.php

Hope this helps and good luck.