How to handle ich?

[SubRosa]

http://www.petco.com/product/106941...ferralID=1c940966-b269-11e1-9e8b-001b2166c62d.
It's a solution of quinine in formalin. It isn't labeled for anything other than pond use, but I have used it very successfully in tropical FW and SW tanks at 1ml per 5 gal. You need to keep the aeration up while using it, but this product has never failed me. It has the added bonus of being about the safest treatment for fish such as Catfish and Loaches that are sensitive to some meds. I recently cleared an outbreak in a tank that contains a school of Pictus Catfish without removing or losing any of the Catfish. Quinine was a common treatment for ich until the 60s or 70s, and has seen some resurgence due to strains of the ich parasite which have become tolerant of salt, heat, and even copper.

 

[StarSapphire22]

Lethal to the ich, right slappy?

Subrosa, I will check that out, thanks!

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[Slappy*McFish]

Lethal to the ich, right slappy?

As opposed to being lethal to fish? That would be counterproductive for a fish medication. lol
But to answer your question, yes...it is lethal to ich.

 

[StarSapphire22]

Haha I wasnt sure if you were saying it was bad with heat or what...lol

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[JamieMonster]

+1 for the salt & heat treatment. I only bump up to 80 for goldfish, and dose at 1TBSP salt/5 gallons... works like a charm. The temp speeds the ich life cycle and the salt kills the spores in the free swimming stage. Ich breeds in the gravel, so, make sure to gravel vac (lightly) every other day, or so. You can use Kosher canning salt from the grocery store- much cheaper than the little packs sold as aquarium salt. If you can not put the water from the LFS into the tank with the fish, as well, it will limit the amount of free swimming ich you dump into the water, if there is any present. I would steer clear of any bottled meds that have malachite green (aka Victoria Green) in them- it seems to be the most commonly used chemical med for ich, and is harsh, nasty stuff, from my experience... I lost 2 fish to it, when trying to cure them of a costia infection. Also DEFINITELY do not add heat if you do end up with something with malachite green in it. Since the poor thing has had ich for so long, you might want to pick up some secondary meds to treat for bacterial and/or fungal infections that may be moving in due to the weakened immune system. I am also +1 for rescuing the little darling- but, you know me & my soft spot for fish that are less than perfect. Good luck, if you do decide to play operation moor rescue. It would be a fabulously nice thing to do.

 

[dubels]

I have had great success just using heat for two weeks


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[jm1212]

I am a fan of the ich meds from JungleTabs. Never failed me before. Just keep in mind they will stain your silicone blue (like most ich meds). I turn up the heat, add an airstone like the package suggests, and then follow the treating directions and have never had a problem.

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[Slappy*McFish]

Haha I wasnt sure if you were saying it was bad with heat or what...lol

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No, I have always raised the heat (~85F) with this medication with excellent results. Near 100% cure rate even with sensitive catfishes, tetras and loaches. It contains formalin and malachite green. I've never attributed any fish deaths to it's use (when dosed as directed). Any fish deaths noted while using it more than likely occurred from the disease rather than the medication. I would like to add that proper aeration is vital anytime heat is administered as a treatment (especially while using medications) to insure sufficient O2 levels.

 

[H2Ogal]

H20gal, it was the only moor they had and she didn't get any new shipments because of heat here. It would be a beautiful fish if it was healthy and it's very young, the poor thing. My boyfriend is worried that we would just be wasting our time, but I can't stand just leaving it there.

Poor little thing ... I wish you luck!

 

[hybridd23]

I always used salt + heat (86F). I also combined salt + heat with Seachem Paraguard for the more severe cases.