Still Flashing

[Boohoo]

As a result of my recent move, I am treating my tank for Ich. Salt and Heat method. 10 days after the move I noticed that 2 of my fish had some Ich, so I immediatly started treating. It wasn't a very bad case(visibly). The visable signs were gone after 4 days, but I still see my one fish flashing, Tomorrow will be 2 weeks since I started treatment. Salt concentration is 2tsp/per gallon and temp is at 83. How much longer should I continue treatment?

 

[himik]

I had ich in my tanks a few times. Every time I did salt/heat treatment for 3 weeks. It should be at least one week since the visible symptoms disappear. All tanks had plastic plants.

 

[Boohoo]

Thanks for the info. I think that I read somewhere else 14-21 days. I'll be safe and go the 21 days.

 

[mdcordeiro]

how often do you add the salt?

 

[jonsnow13]

they may not be flashing on purpose u know. it is awufully hard keeping those little shirts from sliding, with no shoulders, that is. :duh:

 

[Jacquib]

I am also treating for ich using salt/heat method and wondered:

a) how long should I wait before introducing more new fish?
b) is there any precautionary measure I can take when introducing new fish to prevent ich flaring again (my LFS recommends adding the meds when adding new fish, I wondered if there was a more "natural" method)

Thanks

 

[daveedka]

Tomorrow will be 2 weeks since I started treatment. Salt concentration is 2tsp/per gallon and temp is at 83. How much longer should I continue treatment?

Since flashing can be caused by other things, I usually give the salt a full 3 weeks at elevated temps, and if I still see flashing I start looking for other causes. I have never had ich reappear after 3 weeks of salt and elevated temp, so I generally consider ich as no longer being a possibility after that treatment.

a) how long should I wait before introducing more new fish?
b) is there any precautionary measure I can take when introducing new fish to prevent ich flaring again (my LFS recommends adding the meds when adding new fish, I wondered if there was a more "natural" method)

a) most folks would say an absolute minimum of 4 weeks of perfect health. I would wait at least 8 in my tanks, just because I hate to risk my fish.

b) Some folks advocate preventative treatments, others do not. A quarantine tank is the best way to go, there is a decent article, and you can set up a q tank for almost no money really. Whether or not you treat the new fish just inc ase is your call. I would not put them through malechite or formalin unnecessarily, but might treat with Salt, metradozinole (sp) or praziquantel if I thought the situation warranted such acts. The milder treatments make a little mopre sense as preventative measure, the harsher stuff IMO does not.
Dave

 

[Boohoo]

Thanks, Daveedka. I was hoping you would reply. I'm going to go the 3 weeks and see what things are like after that. With no other visible signs of disease and water params all in check what would you suspect would be causing the flashing if it continues? I'm thinking flukes cause I also see the fish in question sitting on the bottom alot. Kinda unusual for a male platy. If so I have some prazi pro on hand.