My betta in my 10 gallon has ICK!

Joseph1391

Joseph1391

~ * i LoVe BeTtaS * ~
Feb 28, 2006
160
0
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South Pekin, Illinois
Ok well I just turned on my light on my 10 gallon, and my male betta is coverered in ick pretty bad.. Just did a water change on the tank not even a week ago, when I got this betta. He might of had it I guess when I got him. Now it just could of got worst. I was told that I can use table salt to cure it. But I do have a plant in there. It is hornwart.. Would it be ok if I transfered the plant over to my 29? Will ick live on plants? If I cant move the plant would the salt actually kill my hornwart? This is the first time I have ever had ick and I have had my tanks for like 3 or 4 years. And I am really worried Im going to kill my betta.. Can you guys please help me???
 
If the cysts are encrusted on the plants, then no. If you're worried, keep the plant in another tank, leave for a week with temperature no lower than 27 degrees Celsius and the ich will simply die. They need a host to feed on in less than 24 hours otherwise they will simply die. I doubt though the plant will be hurt from the use of salt unlike most other plants. Salt might damage it slightly but it'll recover in no time. Use a tablespoon per 5g dose. Dissolve salt thoroughly first and add slowly to the tank.
 
Might want to move the betta into something smaller and treat it in there. The ick won't survive in the tank more than a few days without something to feed off of. That way you save your plant and you use less of whatever you end up treating your fish with (be it salt or meds)
 
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CRAP.. Well I did put 10 teaspoons of salt into my bettas tank.. a few teaspoons every few hours till it added up to 10 and now he isnt acting right at all!!! He is just laying around now.. Before I put any salt in there he was fine and was swimming everywhere like nothing was wrong with him. But once I put the salt in his tank he is not right.. What do I do?!?!?! Help please :(.. I really do not want him to die!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Did you dissolve the salt? If I were in your situation, put an airpump there to aid his breathing just in case and keep a close watch.
 
Yep I did disolve the salt. He is swimming around fine now and eating. So I think I may have just been over reacting when I saw him kinda just laying by the heater because he is swimming without a problem and eating now. So think I may have over reacted.. I think tomorrow I am going to get some medicine to cure the ick instead of using table salt because it does kinda scare me to use it. What is the best to get?
 
I'm not going to suggest any meds. Just stick with salt. It is already there. Just watch closely. Keep treatment for 14 days.
 
Ok well if I do stick with the salt how often do I do water changes? How much of a water change do I do? And how often do I add the salt?
 
Joseph1391 said:
Ok well if I do stick with the salt how often do I do water changes? How much of a water change do I do? And how often do I add the salt?
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If it's only the betta by itself with a filter in it, I'd do weekly only. 50% is fine. Replace the amount of salt per the dose recommended which would be 5 teaspoons..
 
Ok thanks for all the help. So go ahead and change it out next Friday? And dont add any more salt until then?
 
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