Cannot get rid of ich...

Z

z4mat

AC Members
Mar 1, 2005
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Hi All,

First time poster, long time reader.

I have a 26g bow front tank, which thanks to the good advice and info in this forum, has been a joy to maintain and watch. All my fish seem to be quite happy and healthy.

I did have a problem with ich a few months ago, and treated it with meds and warmer water ~84 degrees (This was before I read about the warm water and salt remedy on the forum here). Anyways, all worked out well, I added the meds three times (once every 48 hours) and kept the water warm for a few days after the ich was gone to make sure it was actually gone. I haven’t had a problem since…until I brought home the newest addition to my tank, a clown loach. The day after I added it to my tank, I noticed the beginnings of the visible ich on the loach only. I immediately started the same treatment I had used in the past, but the loach stayed covered in the ich. I did a ~50% water change, carbon for a day, then tried a different medication my lfs recommended. Still didn’t work. The ich spread to a few other fish, so I went back to my original treatment (all this over a period of three weeks or so) and all my fish seem to be okay now except the clown loach. It still is covered. I have lost three fish due the obvious stress and meds, and do not want to lose any more.

Is it worthwhile to keep the loach? What else can I try? My water has tested fine during this ordeal.

Sorry for the length of the post, but I appreciate any advice.

Tony
 
FooF said:
for a clown loach i would suggest the salt treatment.
click on my signature for the details.
its a good read... a long one, but priceless IMO.
Click to expand...

I've read that, but not before I already started the meds. I wish I had read it sooner.

As I have just tried meds again, should I give the fish a breather or jump right into the salt treatment? How long can they handle the warmer water?
 
daveedka said:
You are now my favorite person FooF, I didn't realize your signature was a link. :idea2: :D
Click to expand...
information worth sharing :)

as far as the meds to salt, the same thing happened to me.
after losing alot of fish to ich over and over again, i decided enough was enough and searched the net for a forum like this, thats how i ended up here.

i had already started meds on the new strain of ich, knowing it was gonna mess up my loaches and cats, so i tried to dose it half and then do water changes, wich was basicly doing nothing but stressing my fish badly.

anyways, once i read daves article, i did a 50% water change and started the same night on the salt/heat. im pretty sure most fish will handle the 86F temps pretty well, as i only had a problem with my raphael cats (RIP :( ). everyone else acted a little strange, but survived the 2 weeks of heat/salt just fine. i hope that helps a little.
 
Try the salt thing with the loach quarantined. In the main aquarium, and for the loach use Maracide. I use the concentrate. It's easier. It has always worked for me.
 
For the clown Loaches be sure you give them only half the treatment as they dont really have think scales and their body very easily absorbs salts and meds....

Id defenately try too save and keep him by the way. I just love Clown Loaches, awsome and very active little fish. Not too mention clowns! :D
 
Mooch28 said:
For the clown Loaches be sure you give them only half the treatment as they dont really have think scales and their body very easily absorbs salts and meds....

Id defenately try too save and keep him by the way. I just love Clown Loaches, awsome and very active little fish. Not too mention clowns! :D
Click to expand...

I also have a 4-5 inch pleco in the tank, so I have been cutting the meds in half. Do I cut the salt amount in half as well?

I love the clowns myself, I had two, but one was lost last week, it was smaller and got covered in ich also. They do seem like they have a lot of fun. I can't get over how they sleep on their sides anytime anyplace. At least mine does.

I don't have a quarantine tank available, so I will attempt the salt treatment starting tomorrow.

Thanks for the help.
 
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z4mat said:
I also have a 4-5 inch pleco in the tank, so I have been cutting the meds in half. Do I cut the salt amount in half as well?

I love the clowns myself, I had two, but one was lost last week, it was smaller and got covered in ich also. They do seem like they have a lot of fun. I can't get over how they sleep on their sides anytime anyplace. At least mine does.

I don't have a quarantine tank available, so I will attempt the salt treatment starting tomorrow.

Thanks for the help.
Click to expand...

I would still suggest going half dose. If you want, you can combine the meds with the salt. I did that on some baby clown loaches with great success!

Remember though, mix the salt in a cup with some tank water first, and dont just throw the salt straight into the tank. Best of luck!
 
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