I'm not sure which salt/heat article you mean. I like the one at The Skeptical Aquarist. I like that he provides sources and studies to back up his information rather than repeated what he's heard, although there is so much information with varying opinions that it is hard to decide the right dosage for the salt treatment. I'm going with one level teaspoon per gallon added slowly over a 24 hour period. I also started upping the temp and am at 85 F at this point, this was also done slowly over a 12 hour period, I'm going to 86 F. I've treated ich before with salt but it's been so long I had to look up the right quantity. I've only ever experienced it just after buying new fish.
I'm a little concerned about my fish species with the heat and quantity of salt because I see conflicting information on what is appropriate, but the most credible looking sources seem to think it is okay as long as it isn't sudden. The last time I did this it was cichlids, and they are a little sturdier for both salt and heat.
I decided the corydora (now dead) had either a fungal or bacterial fin rot which infected its body as well, causing the swelling, paleness and paralysis. I'm guessing this was a secondary infection to the then-invisible ich (now there are tiny spots, but that means the ich has already been on the fish stressing them out and causing small wounds). It is supposed to attach most easily to the gills and appear invisible in this manner.
I'm just amazed at how fast the fin rot disease progresses, having never experienced it before, and believing it usually only happened to people with poor water quality, I wasn't expecting it. However, the gourami that had the first visible ich spot on its tailfin now has an opaque white area surrounding where the spot was and the fins are rotting away from that area so fast it is scary.
I've read about most fish diseases, but I've forgotten most of what I've read after long intervals of problem-free aquarium keeping. Ignorance based on good luck, I suppose. I'm reading as many articles as I can on it so I can try to make an informed decision about treatment, but any advice here is appreciated since I've never dealt with it before. I tend to lean toward the most natural solution if one is available, but I'm not sure if there is in this case. I'm trying to find out if I need a medicated food or a dip. I'm going to have the water tested yet again while I'm out.
Everyone in the tank is acting lazy and stressed today (though not completely inactive, just resting a lot). I'm assuming this is a combination of stress from ich, salt, and heat. I've also added melafix to help with the fin rot.
I'm a little concerned about my fish species with the heat and quantity of salt because I see conflicting information on what is appropriate, but the most credible looking sources seem to think it is okay as long as it isn't sudden. The last time I did this it was cichlids, and they are a little sturdier for both salt and heat.
I decided the corydora (now dead) had either a fungal or bacterial fin rot which infected its body as well, causing the swelling, paleness and paralysis. I'm guessing this was a secondary infection to the then-invisible ich (now there are tiny spots, but that means the ich has already been on the fish stressing them out and causing small wounds). It is supposed to attach most easily to the gills and appear invisible in this manner.
I'm just amazed at how fast the fin rot disease progresses, having never experienced it before, and believing it usually only happened to people with poor water quality, I wasn't expecting it. However, the gourami that had the first visible ich spot on its tailfin now has an opaque white area surrounding where the spot was and the fins are rotting away from that area so fast it is scary.
I've read about most fish diseases, but I've forgotten most of what I've read after long intervals of problem-free aquarium keeping. Ignorance based on good luck, I suppose. I'm reading as many articles as I can on it so I can try to make an informed decision about treatment, but any advice here is appreciated since I've never dealt with it before. I tend to lean toward the most natural solution if one is available, but I'm not sure if there is in this case. I'm trying to find out if I need a medicated food or a dip. I'm going to have the water tested yet again while I'm out.
Everyone in the tank is acting lazy and stressed today (though not completely inactive, just resting a lot). I'm assuming this is a combination of stress from ich, salt, and heat. I've also added melafix to help with the fin rot.
