Now I have ick... errrggh!!

[emilyekk]

Okay so I guess I should have seen this coming.
Last week I bought a clown loach (he's temporary, don't worry) to help me get rid of my snail infestation.
I usually am incredibly anal when first introducing a fish, but I had a family emergency as soon as I got home and my boyfriend ended up picking up the fish from the store and then releasing it into the tank.


Well, when I got home, I noticed the clown had several white spots on its back fin... I immediately thought ick, but then thought, well it's too late now anyhow to take him out so let's just see what happens. Within two days of being in my tank, his spots started to disappear... I thought maybe it was stress or something.

Anyhow - so I ended up having to black the tank out for 3 days (again) because of an algae bloom. Last night I uncovered the tank, did a 50% WC and looked at everyone, the clown loach still had no ick spots... some of my neon tetras looked like they MIGHT of had spots though... but I had a scare like that before and it ended up being nothing. Well, this morning I get up and there are definitely some white spots on my tetras and also on 2 of my balloon mollies... clown loach is still fine though.


Anyhow - so now I am certain I have an ick outbreak.

Now, this is my question. I know you are supposed to treat by upping the temp and adding ick medication. Well this is my problem... My water is CONSISTANTLY at 79 degrees... and that's with NO heater in the tank. I am willing to go buy a heater today if I should, but would it be dangerous to up the temp any more than it already is? It's at that temperature constantly btw bc I live in south Florida where its HOT and we have our ac constantly running at 78 degrees and so the tank is always at 79 degrees.

So, in my situation, am I still supposed to up the heat levels??

Also - what ick medication should I be buying?

I have NEVER had an ick outbreak before so I really need advice!!!

 

[Lupin]

Considering you have neon tetras in there, the highest I would go with, is 82 degrees Fahrenheit. Neons are far too picky. The last time I increased temperature to 86 degrees, my neons did not like it and quickly dropped dead like flies. The treatment course has to be at least 10 days minimum. Once the ich appears to have disappeared, continue treatment for another week just to be sure. Go with salt treatment first. All you have to do is dissolve the salt thoroughly and add slowly to the tank. Dissolution is very important since you have bottom dwellers and grains of salt can burn their skin easily thus likely killing them. Dose with a tablespoon per 5g of table salt.