Ick on clown loaches

[Incaico]

I've got ick on three of my clown loaches that I got from petco. :mad::mad::mad: I wanted to try and beat this with salt. I know I need to turn up the temp and aerate the water more to offset the increase in temp but will it hurt my the other tank mates? I've got two angels and some balloon mollies. the temp is currently at 78. Also how much aquarium salt should I use? I was thinking about turning it up to around 85 degrees

[masroberts9]

dude thats a good question. ive never had salt with my loaches. which reminds me my sig is way out of date. i think that temp is a good one.

[cichlidkeeper]

sounds good. i usually use ick meds but i dont think they work on scaleless fish.

[Incaico]

I don't want to lose the loaches so i'm willing to use meds also I just wanted to avoid it if possible. cichlidkeeper can you check on the bottle and see if it works on scaleless fish?

[glostik]

Do not use salt with loaches.

Turn up the temp very slowly to 85 or 86, then put some ick medicine HALF DOSE of what is recommended.

or you can do what i do for my loaches, turn it up to 88 or 90 and run a UV.

I have never lost a loach to ICK.

ICK can only be killed when its in its floating stage in the water, It will not die when its attached to your fish. Higher temperatures make the ICH go through its cycles faster, falling off the fish faster. Always continue treatment for a few more days even if the ICH is no longer visible on the body. Alot of times ICH is still in your fish's gills.

[Incaico]

I totally forgot that salt is not good for loaches b/c they are scaleless. I don't have a uv so i'll buy some ick medicine. do you recommend any brand that wont stain anything? also it's not really feasible to put them in a smaller tank right now b/c I have fry in my 10 gallon. Is ick medicine really expensive b/c I'm going to have to treat them in the 55 gallon they are in?

[glostik]

I think RidIch and QuickCure are the two I have used. Unfortunately for you, Ick medicine is made with formaline green i believe its called. It can stain, but since you are only using half dose, staining shouldnt happen.

Remember, whatever it says to dose on the bottle, use HALF.

[Incaico]

will do. I'll only use half of the recommended dose. what all does it stain?

[masroberts9]

mainly the silicone of the tank. but decor and other stuff can be stained.

[Incaico]

Should I also do a water change before adding the meds? I'm taking out the carbon out of my canister as we speak

Incaico added 26 Minutes and 38 Seconds later...

Ok I removed all the carbon out of my eheim and I'm going to buy some ick medicine. Do you recommend doing a water change and if so how much?

[tsunderl]

I've used Kick Ich which is safe for everything in your tank. Costs a bit more, but I gladly paid it for that peace of mind. One bottle will treat your 55 with no problems. Plus there is nothing in it that will stain the silicone or air tubing. Highly recommend this stuff. I got mine at DNA and I haven't seen it at the chain stores.

Still, up the temp and remove the carbon. Hold off on the salt and get Kick Ich started as soon as you can.

[Incaico]

Thanks T do you remember about how much it costs? Also do you recommend doing a water change before I start the medication? If so how much?

[glostik]

you should water change before and you should do one before each dose.

[tsunderl]

I want to say $30 or so... It's lasted forever. You use 2oz/25g, so it's great for large tanks.

If your water parameters are within normal limits, I wouldn't change out the water. Ich is stressful on fish and the least stress you add, the better. I even go as far as leaving the lights off while I'm treating for ich.

I rescued a couple of black skirt tetras Saturday that were covered with ich. Two doses later, no spots were present and they were perked up and eating well. Kick Ich is a 15 day regimen, but it's every other or third day. Be sure to treat the entire 15 days to stop the life cycle.

[glostik]

Changing the water will remove the nodes floating in the water. Each person had their own way though.

[Incaico]

I heated some water in tub so as soon as it's the same temp i will change some of the water...around 15%. i normally change out 15% weekly so we'll see.

[tsunderl]

Changing the water will remove the nodes floating in the water. Each person had their own way though.

True. I go on the less stress, the quicker they heal theory. But I see your point as well. This is one of those no right, no wrong areas. :)

[Incaico]

wish me luck this is my first bout with ick and I don't want to loose my loaches they are so much fun to watch!

[imagirlgeek]

Ich Attack by Kordon is also a med that is safe for all fish. I just used it on 5 puffers and they were free of all spots in 3 days. This was the first time I ever used it and I am really pleased with the results. :)

[kewlkatdady]

I have Clown Loaches in with my africans...
I add rock salt consistanly...and always have...

I've never had any issues.

[glostik]

some peoples loaches are fine, some arent.

its a case to case thing, but hes going to be mixing ich medicine on top of the salt and thats a bigger risk i dont think should be taken

[kewlkatdady]

yeah i agree...
I don't think he should use meds for ich...

its too easy to rememdy naturally.

[sjivani]

x2

I have Clown Loaches in with my africans...
I add rock salt consistanly...and always have...

I've never had any issues.

[Incaico]

I haven't bought the medicine yet but I won't be mixing it with salt. I'll just use the medicine.