first case of ich?

D

dewilde2

Illinifish
Aug 8, 2006
253
0
0
43
St Louis
I just walked by my tank and noticed that my black balloon molly, who has been lately spending more time hanging up at the top in the corner than terrorizing his buddies, appears to have several white spots all over him! I have scrutinized the others, and no one else appears to have it yet. He's eating fine. I tried to take a picture but it's impossible to see. We did a water change last night (25%) and I didn't notice it then, although I have been out of town for a few weeks and having someone else feed the fish. No new fish have been introduced for two months or so.

1. Is this definitely ich or should I be concerned about anything else?

2. What is the best recommended medicine? I'm planning on running out ASAP to get it, wanted help in deciding which one to use.
 
I'm confused about Ich... You walked by your tank and noticed a sick fish? Have you added anything new lately to bring the Ich into the tank? Can Ich arrive via "immaculate conception" without any new plants or fish? How does Ich get into an up and running tank?
 
Nothing new

Yea, so I haven't added anything in over 2 months. I'm not sure what did it. They may have been stressed lately as I went out of town for nearly a month, and though they were being fed, they didn't get a water change for a few weeks, and their water level got kind of low. That's the only thing I can think may have triggered it.
I am treating with salt and increased temperature based on what I've read on the forum. Does anyone know anything about removing the filter media? I've read conflicting reports so far.
 
dewilde2 said:
Yea, so I haven't added anything in over 2 months. I'm not sure what did it. They may have been stressed lately as I went out of town for nearly a month, and though they were being fed, they didn't get a water change for a few weeks, and their water level got kind of low. That's the only thing I can think may have triggered it.
I am treating with salt and increased temperature based on what I've read on the forum. Does anyone know anything about removing the filter media? I've read conflicting reports so far.
Click to expand...

No need to remove the filter media as the salt treatment does not affect the filter, nor vice versa. Commercial treatments like quICK cure say to remove the carbon because the treatment would be adsorbed by the activated carbon. As for salt treatment, no need to bother.

The only thing you'll really need is a half-pound of patience. Treat for at least 1 week after the spots disappear. Total length of treatment probably about 1 1/2 to 2 weeks at least.
 
Fangirl said:
I'm confused about Ich... You walked by your tank and noticed a sick fish? Have you added anything new lately to bring the Ich into the tank? Can Ich arrive via "immaculate conception" without any new plants or fish? How does Ich get into an up and running tank?
Click to expand...

Fish can live with ich without showing any signs for long periods of time. Anything can bring on an outbreak if this is the case; water change with water too cold or too hot or with a drastically different PH... etc.
 
Thanks! I didn't know that Ich could exist in a "dormant" state and then break out under stressful conditions. I thought I was safe since my tank has been "ich-free" but now I know I must remain vigilant.
 
ich isn't really dormant..it has a life cycle..however, it can exist and not be seen..light infestations etc..
when the moment is right(conditions exist) it can bloom very suddenly.
 
I'm glad I stumbled across this thread. I've been trying to figure out what's wrong in my tank for days. I have lost a bala shark and a molly to this crap. My question is: How long can they survive with this stuff? If I start treating right now, is it too late for my second bala shark which is struggling right now?
 
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