Need help! Ich in a pictus catfish and yoyo loach tank

[Gomer]

(posting this for a friend)
I just stocked my 29 after doing a fishless cycle

I got:

1 large angel fish
1 pictus
1 yoyo loach (might get another and move out the rainbow fish)
2 rainbow fish
1 butterfly fish

*I might get one more rainbow fish...and then when the three are grown out, move them to the 55*

I got the two rainbow fish at ichco... oops, I mean Petco Sure enough, they each have one small spot of ich.

My qtine tanks are tied up because I'm redoing the 55, so moving the pictus/yoyo out isn't really an option

I know that the pictus and the loach are sensitive to most medications...and I really don't want to lose them to ich or a medication. (I don't think the butterfly fish has any specific sensitivities.)

What would you suggest for treating the whole tank? Stick to malachite green/methylene blue or use a copperbased med ( I've had great succes with Coppersafe)? And of those, use at half dose, or full? Any other suggestions from those of you with loaches/pictus?



Thanks for taking the time to read all that, guys and gals

 

[OrionGirl]

There is an ich medication that is specific for scaleless fish. Or, you can go with the non-medicating option: Raise the tank temp to about 82-84, add 2 tsp salt per gallon (added about 1 tsp/half hour, mix it in a glass of tank water then pour this in). Maintain this level, along with daily water changes (replace salt as needed) and cleaning the substrate for 4 weeks after the last ich sign disappears. I'm in favor of this method, since it removes the parasite better than medications--most kill off the first hatching, and leave the fish open to infestation as the next batch hatches in about 2 weeks. Normally, the fish are less stressed by then, so don't get as bad a case, and remain sub-clinically infested until further stress allows the parasite to explode again.

Butterfly fish? What is this? The only familiar FW butterfly is a cichlid, or the african butterfly--a surface lurking fish that looks like it's swimming upside down and had wings.

 

[Leopardess]

WOW! I can finally post! I was waiting to be added to the list for days


Thanks for the advice. I think I'm going to try using the ich medicine for scaless fish and cross my fingers. I feel more comfortable doing that than increasing the salt concentration so much - I don't think my loach would appreciate that

And yes, I have an African Butterfly fish. Everyone says it looks like they are swimming upside down...but I just don't see it!
He's great fun to watch. Granted, he hardly moves - but he's just so cool to look at

 

[OrionGirl]

I apologize for the delay in your sign up.

I really love the african butterfly. Make sure your tank has a complete, secure coverage--thos fish can jump through even the smallest opening. To liven it up, try feeding some very small live crickets--they love them. Not good for a steady diet, but a really good treat.

 

[Leopardess]

No need to apologize

Yes, I know they can jump. They've been seen gliding six feet in the air --vertically! Can you imagine that? lol


He's been eating some flake food lately. But he's more interested in frozen bloodworms, (and freeze dried bloodworms) and baby krill, naturally. I'm going to get some crickets the next time I'm out. Now I'll know what to do with all the moths near the porch lights