Not sure ich recovery is going well - need help

Thanks so much for the help. Lost another phantom. I'm really concerned about my gouramis. I don't know if they are going to make it. I do have some maracyn from when I had guppies with fin rot in my old 10 gal. tank. I'm really torn. I'd like to save them if at all possible. Should I put them in quarantine and treat them with the maracyn? My quarantine would be the 5 gal. pail I use for water changes, an airstone, and my old 10 gal. heater. OR should I just leave things alone, do the daily water changes, add salt as recommended above and hope for the best?

I really appreciate the help. I was reluctant to post because it seemed like I read a bunch of postings of people really tearing into people for making bad choices etc.

Thanks for not doing that :)

Tina
 
Thanks so much for the help. Lost another phantom.

I am so sorry to hear that Tina...

I'm really concerned about my gouramis. I don't know if they are going to make it. I do have some maracyn from when I had guppies with fin rot in my old 10 gal. tank. I'm really torn. I'd like to save them if at all possible. Should I put them in quarantine and treat them with the maracyn? My quarantine would be the 5 gal. pail I use for water changes, an airstone, and my old 10 gal. heater. OR should I just leave things alone, do the daily water changes, add salt as recommended above and hope for the best?

Unless you have reason to suspect a bacterial infection (visible bacterial patches for example) it does't make sense to start another treatment (yet). I'm encouraged by the fact that your spots dissapeared with salt/heat. That indicates it may very well have been ich. Your specimens are stressed as they recover and sadly, we sometimes lose fish in the process. Keep us updated but for now, I still think concentrating on extra clean water is your bet bet. If you have reason to suspect something else is going on, post back and we can talk about whether the maracyn makes sense.

I really appreciate the help. I was reluctant to post because it seemed like I read a bunch of postings of people really tearing into people for making bad choices etc.

Thanks for not doing that :)

I don't think anyone really 'rips' into anyone here at AC, perhaps with one exception: the aquarist who persistently violates standards of aquarium care (such as overstocking, filthy conditions, inappropriate stocking, no testing of water parameters, etc.) despite all advice given to consider an alternative. Even then, the intent is to educate the user on how to better care for their fish/tanks.... not to belittle them. I personally call out users for poor standards of care. None of use are 'experts', and we all have much to learn. The best users are willing to listen to the advice/support of those who may have more experience/knowledge and take corrective action. You're clearly genuinely concerned for the health of your fish and do not let your ego get in the way of their interests. Therefore, it is easy to assist you and a pleasure :) Please keep posting updates!

Tina

See above in blue...
 
Thanks DrVader. I'll keep you posted. So far, my last 2 phantoms seem to be doing okay. My gouramis are holding on for now. I'll keep up with the daily or every other day 30% water changes going for a week or so and see how things go.

How long and how to know it is safe to add fish? I'm really not even sure what I want to add yet. I know I want to add more plants and maybe rocks. Beyond that, I don't know what other fish I want to stock. I'm frankly too afraid to try anything else for quite a while after this whole disaster.

Tina
 
I was afraid this was going to happen ... lost my blue gourami today. Very sad but I've been kind of expecting it. On the upside, it looks like the others are okay. Still a little concerned about my other dwarf gourami. His pectoral fins are stil black on the tips.

Here's another question:

Do I need to keep so many bubbles going?

-Temp is 85 degrees

-I have about 10 med. size plants

-doing 30% water changes every other day

-running a magnum h.o.t. 250 filter

I have 2 small air pumps running. One with a 4" airstone, the other with 2 small 1" airstones. The one air pump is noisy and starting to grind my nerves. I'll put up with it if it's needed but if not I'm pulling the plug!

Also how much longer should I keep the temp up at 85?

Thanks,
Tina
 
I was afraid this was going to happen ... lost my blue gourami today. Very sad but I've been kind of expecting it. On the upside, it looks like the others are okay. Still a little concerned about my other dwarf gourami. His pectoral fins are stil black on the tips.

Here's another question:

Do I need to keep so many bubbles going?

-Temp is 85 degrees

-I have about 10 med. size plants

-doing 30% water changes every other day

-running a magnum h.o.t. 250 filter

I have 2 small air pumps running. One with a 4" airstone, the other with 2 small 1" airstones. The one air pump is noisy and starting to grind my nerves. I'll put up with it if it's needed but if not I'm pulling the plug!

Also how much longer should I keep the temp up at 85?

Thanks,
Tina

So sorry to hear that Tina... it's encouraging to hear the rest of the stock seems to be pulling through.

Please remind you when did you start the salt and heat treatment (how many days ago)?

In the interim, don't be afraid to increase the amount of water you change to ~50% or do ~%25 water changes each day.
 
It's been around 21 days.
 
Are we still seeing ich spots? If not, I'd reduce the temperature and identify what infections the fish now have. If it's bacterial, then the high temperature will be making things worse.
 
one question , Have you seen the free form of ick on the sides of your tank at all?That happens after they hatch and leave the host fish.If you have seen this and now it is gone take that as an encouraging sign.I' m sorry that I just saw this thread , I know what it is like to go through such a traumatic experience after puuting in the time you have. Sorry to hear @ the loss of all of your fish.Dr. Vader really knows what he is talking about. Keep us informed as to any progress.
 
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