Treating ICH with salt?

**Lady Hobbs** · 04-09-2007, 12:50 AM

Aquarium Salt may be used as a short-term bath to treat external parasites (Tricodina, Ichthyobodo, or Epistylis). Dissolve 2 ½ cups (370 g) for every 10 U.S. gallons (40 L) of aquarium water. Carefully place the infested fish in the container for 5 to 10 minutes, and then put the treated fish back into the aquarium. The bath may be repeated in 24 hours if necessary.

Here's a way to treat ICK/ICH with salt without dosing whole tank or turning up heat for two weeks.

Of course this won't work if your whole tank is infected with them.

**cocoa_pleco** · 04-09-2007, 12:59 AM

salts a pretty good general cure.

Whatever was on my betta cured. I did melafix/pimafix and salt, and the white thing went away.

salt baths are good for parasites too

Ick is a parasite doo-doo

**Lady Hobbs** · 04-09-2007, 01:18 AM

This would work the minute you saw a spot on your fish and no others appeared to have it. Too late once the tank is full of it tho. I'd rather give a high shot to it to one than treat a whole tank for 2 weeks on high temps.

**cocoa_pleco** · 04-09-2007, 01:27 AM

if its a epidemic, use strong meds on the whole tank because separation does nothing. Like hobbs said, if its one fish that is beginning to get it, separate and use salt.

Remember, some fish cant handle full on treatments and salt. Corys and some catfish cant handle salt and full strength meds.

**Nautilus29** · 04-09-2007, 03:20 AM

2.5 cups per us 10g that seems like alot but I guess if its only for 10 minutes Then It would be ok.

**Lady Hobbs** · 04-09-2007, 03:32 AM

You'd have to really watch and yank them out the first sign of any stress for sure. Nice to see you Adam. Miss you around here.

**crackatinny** · 04-09-2007, 03:32 AM

Remember, some fish cant handle full on treatments and salt. Corys and some catfish cant handle salt and full strength meds.[/quote]

Good point, I was just about to add that, maybe this warning should be put in all salt treatment threads.

**cocoa_pleco** · 04-09-2007, 03:38 AM

it should. Many people make the mistake of salt with corys and full meds on cats

**crackatinny** · 04-09-2007, 03:47 AM

Originally Posted by cocoa_pleco

it should. Many people make the mistake of salt with corys and full meds on cats

And also loaches cannot handle salt or full strength meds.

**Lady Hobbs** · 04-09-2007, 04:39 AM

Right on. This treatment is not for bottom dwellers and even using the salt method to treat a whole tank for a long period is not liked by them. It burns them, I hear.