Ich [Ick]

[Butterfly Betta]

First thing, I'd like to point out that I know this wasn't the proper cure, and I advise others not to follow unless they know 100% what they are doing.

If you feel this doesn't fit here, please move to where it is more suiting.

Anyways, about two weeks ago my first four Bettas [1 male, 3 females] ended up with ich. I did all the research for the cure, and asked on another forum. I always got the same answer, I needed meds to cure it.

But it was impossible for me to get any meds because I had broken my left ankle playing street hockey. {I was playing with guys, and I am a girl [my full name is Patricia]}.

Also, my parents nor my brother would have no idea what to get, so I thought for sure, the fish were dead.


Since the tank was in my room, [moved to the basement now], I could keep my eye on the fish and do what i could to try and help them out.

Here are the things I did, DO NOT FOLLOW CAUSE THIS ISN'T PROPER CURE.

First, I put in some Melafix and raised the temperature of the tank to 82 degrees.

Second, added two tablespoons for every 5 gallons, twice what i usually added, of aquarium salt.

Third, i added some "Jungle-Fungus Clear" to the tank which lasts about three days.


During a five day period, I did regular water changes [espiecally the bottom of the tank], added some aquarium salt during the third day. Also during the time period, I added Melafix every day.


By the end of the five day period, there was no ich [ick] and ever since there was no more ich [ick].

 

[piscean]

seems pretty accurate to me

with my case -- i used maracide and raised temp a little past 80° and added aquarium salt plus frequent water changes. but instead of using maracide as a 5-day treatment like the box instructed... i came across some advice to keep using the treatment every other day until the ich was no longer visible plus an addition 5 extra days on top of that. and i must say - worked like a charm! cos mrfishy is still as healthy as can be but there do seem to be a lot of different procedures out there so everybody's got their own ways of dealing with the problem. i don't really think there is a proper way. so long as it works... it's all good! right??

ps hope your ankle is better

 

[LoveMyOscar]

 

[guppygirly]

I've been reading a few books that say to just add salt , raise the temp and do 50% water changes till the ick is gone...I've been using salt and doing water changes every other day and it's looking good so far.

 

[G_Sharky]

that theory is good but it wouldn't work for people who have loaches and other catfish in the tank cause from what i read loaches and catfish won't tolerate salt.

 

[guppygirly]

For the tanks with those fish, I just use water changes and temp raise. I was using all kinds of meds, but it never helped..just stressed out my fish and turned everything blue