ICH in Coldwater

Boohoo

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Feb 22, 2005
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Bridgewater,Nova Scotia
I have read the big article about ICH, but does the same apply when treating ICH in a goldfish tank? What about salt dosages and goldfish? I read an article elsewhere that goldfish do not tolerate salt as well as other fish. My LFS says that it is fine to use salt. If so do you use the same dosage? What about raising the temperature? How high is too high when using salt? All help will be greatly appreciated.
 
when treating for parasites i know that gf can tolerate .3% for two weeks and thats enough for most parasites. as for temperature, up to 82 maybe higher can be tolerated by them until the infestation has well and truly gone. boosting the temperature also helps the immune system as well.
i know of people that permanently salt the tank to .1% but i dont think its necessary as salt should only be used as either a tonic or for stress and then for parasites at the higher dose.
dont use meds and salt together though.
 
1 level teaspoon per gallon, or 1 level tablespoon per 5 gallons, gives you .1%. dissolve it in a bit of boiled water before adding and then add the next dose 12 hours later. then the same again 12 hours after to get to .3%.
Remember as well that if you do gravel vacs throughout the treatment (reccommended) then remember to replace the salt with every gallon you put back in. so, if you take out 3 gallons replace each gallon with 3 level teaspoons. hope that makes sense :)
do not add salt though if you are just topping up from loss through condensation.

and if you have real plants then you will need to remove them as the salt will kill them.

and i would say as well to keep your overhead light off and keep the tank as dark as possible.
even if your fish look like the ich has gone keep the salt in for another few days to make sure. its also important that when you have finished the treatment to change the water slowly over several days.

and if after all that, the ich comes back then try the meds, but keep the lights off too and the tank covered with a blanket or towel, as mallachite green isnt very effective with lights on and the free swimming stage of the parasite will find it harder to reach a host so letting the meds work better.
 
Salt shouldn't hurt plants int he 3 weeks the ich treatment is being done at low of a concentration. But chances are with a goldfish tank their are no plants.

Treat for at least 1 week after the last signs of ich, 2 would be better as then you will be sure to catch all of the ich.

Using a gravel vac during water changes will also help. Water changes are also a great idea.
 
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