So I have a 36 gallon bowfront. I am running two filters. I have 5 neons, 5 black tetras, 2 platys, 1 albino cory, and 1 honey dwarf gourami. The last two black tetras I added also added ick to my tank. Long story but my mistake buying these fish to begin with. So now I am battling ick. First things first I will not use chemicals. I have used these in the past and have killed more fish with the "cure" than I have cured. My frustration stems from the sheer amount of conflicting iinformation on the internet. Heat kills ick, heat does not kill ick. Heat kills fish, heat dies not kill fish. Salt kills ick, salt does not kill ick. Salt kills fish, salt does not kill fish. Even when people agree that heat works nobody can agree what temperature. Is it 82, 84, 86? Who knows. So what I have done is slowly raise the temp to 84. I have also added dissolved salt slowly up to 1 teaspoon per gallon. Should I raise the temp 2 more degrees to 86. I am concerned about the heat for these fish. Quite frankly I am worried about the salt too but I have read on this site that sort term salt use is fine for almost all fish. I did have one black tetra did early on. My guess is he was the weak one who brought this problem into my tank. But, all other fish are eating and acting normal for the most part. There is the occasional flashing or jerky swim pattern but for the most part if you couldn't see the spots a person would be hard pressed to see a problem. I have also turned up the air stone and lowered tank level somewhat to add oxygen to compensate for the warm water. Please help. Do I have a chance to save these fish? Am I on the right path here? The conflicting information is as frustrating as the parasite
Ick confusion runs rampant on the Internet
- Thread starter Brett The Fishman
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You don't even have to add salt. Just gradually increase heat to what your particular fish can tolerate for some time, increase aeration, increase your water change frequency and volume, vac the substrate with each WC and watch the ich go away.
Thank you for the reply, but I already have added the salt. Am I going to be ok there. Also is 84 degrees high enough. All my fish are currently behaving fine
Salt has proven to be an aid in "curing" ich forever, so go with it since it's already in there. From what I've read over the years, salt acts as an irritant to the fish, which makes them produce more slime, thus shedding off the ich parasite.
In regards to the temperature, I'd go higher, like 86 or so. This could be rough on neons, because many people don't realize neons thrive best in cooler water like 67-70F, but they should tolerate the temp increase for a week or three.
In regards to the temperature, I'd go higher, like 86 or so. This could be rough on neons, because many people don't realize neons thrive best in cooler water like 67-70F, but they should tolerate the temp increase for a week or three.
Thanks again. Neons are currently acting fine at 84 when with a few ick spots. I think I will bump to 86 tonight for two weeks
I'd just watch for any behavior that looks abnormal. Neons are typically stressed and can be sick when you get them, the way they are mass produced, shipped and displayed for sale. I know for me, if I bought 10 of them, I'd be lucky if 7-8 made it past the first week. The ones that did were good to go given good care.
Maybe that is why they only cost $1.00. I still really like them though. When you get a healthy group swimming and playing around they are really neat fish.
Vincenia
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Just keep a close eye on the neons, normally when stressed they seem to nose dive a bit, also when sick. I've noticed that when I had them. Always lost them, sadly.