Ich...

[Winged]

I know this has probably been asked about a million times, but I can't seem to find the answer.

Today I noticed that one of my rummynose tetras in my 45 gallon tank had white spots on his body. :swear: I know the treatment (raising temps, adding salt), but I also know that someplace I read said that cory cats don't tolerate salt very well.

So here are my options:
1. Move my two cory cats to another tank (I can clear out my 5 gallon hex temporarily for them) and raise the temp of that tank.
2. Leave them in the 45 gallon and take the chances with them and salt.

Also, I have 5 briggs in that tank. Will they be okay with salt, or should I remove them?

And just if you need to know, my current stock is:
3 Bolivian rams
7 rummynose tetras
2 Schwartz's cory cats
6 guppies
5 briggs

 

[Fishle]

I recommend formalin. I'm currently using it to treat my Corys for a mild ich outbreak, and they're handling it fine so far after 24 hours of treatment. Make sure you increase aeration though because formalin removes oxygen from the water. I saw a med made by Wardley called "Ick Out - Sensitive" that it says is good for catfish, loaches, scaleless fish, etc. I looked at the ingredients in the fine print and it is just formalin. Avoid Malachite Green, which is often combined with formalin.

 

[7itanium]

I have heard the same thing about cories and salt... but I have also treated corys for ich using this treatment and they survived fine... so im not sure

 

[KarlTh]

Everything tends to get polarised. Corys are less tolerant of high salt levels than some other fish, but this absolute "corys don't like salt" is simplification ad absurdam. They will tolerate the level of salt required on a temporary basis.

 

[boelo]

I am also treating for ich at the moment and so far the cory cats seem fine (2 tsp salt per gallon). they frollic and play.

 

[Winged]

Thanks, all, for the input. I started adding salt yesterday and ran out. Added the rest today. The temperature is at 81F right now (our power was out for a while earlier and the temp dropped and it's no getting back up to about 84F).

Fishle, thanks for the meds recommendation. I try to avoid adding anything unnecessary to my tank if I can. If I don't see any improvement, I may try something that you recommended.

The day I posted my first question, I saw one fish (a rummynose) with three spots. That was the day before yesterday. Today, all of my rummynoses have a lot of spots, and two of my guppies have two spots each. In addition to the spots, one of the rummynoses seems to be having trouble staying upright when it's not swimming. So far, I don't see any on my rams or my cories. I hope it stays that way.

Will my snails be affected by ich?