Can't tell if cories have ich

[vombatus]

I've had 3 orange laser cories for a few days. They are acting perfectly fine, no problems breathing, swimming, no clamped fins, but I noticed on like the second day I had them that they had tiny whitish spots on them that they hadn't had before. I have a super-fine sand substrate that gets all over everything, and they spend a lot of time digging around in it. So I'm wondering if it's possible they just have some grains of sand in their armor, or if it's probably ich. I don't see white spots on any of the other fish in the tank-- banded pencilfish and celestial pearl danios-- but I have lost two fish in the last two days (one of each) and the pencilfish looked bloated today (eep!). Should I treat the tank? And with what?

[spacefish34]

You need to post some pics if any one is to help you...

[Chrisk-K]

I have PFS in my tanks and never saw a sand grain stuck to a cory. Sure, the OP has fine sand but I don't see how a grain got stuck to a cory's armor in water.

I'd treat the entire tank. Some people like the salt + heat method but I'd use "Rid Ich" or "Ich Attack," both of which are highly effective and 100% safe to cories.

[vombatus]

Thanks Chrisk-K. I just wasn't sure if it was a possibility. I've begun treating with "Ich Attack."

[vombatus]

Ich Attack never helped. An expert friend told me it is a virus of some kind and to stop treating and see what happens. The cories still seem happy and healthy since I stopped treating so he must be right. Luckily, I don't think the Ich Attack harmed any of my other fish or inverts, so no harm done.

[OrandaRookie]

Can't you treat ich with heat alone? Raising the tank temp to 34 degrees kills the parasite. I know this isn't an option for some fish, goldfish for example. But its an alternative to using medicines that often do more harm than good imo

Just a suggestion :)