Ich Not Going Away

[Meggie :)]

Hey all!

So 12 days ago, almost 2 weeks ago, I noticed a little ich on one of my balloon mollies, but it wasn't bad...I started treating with Kordon Rid Ich+ every day since then and for a few days it looked like it was gone but I had a gut feeling to keep treating...well two days later, my other balloon molly is convered in ich. All the other fish seem fine though. As of yesterday they started unclamping their fins which is a good sign. But what can I do now?

Thanks,
Megan

 

[the_lock_man]

With medications, I personally think that the best bet is to follow the instructions to the letter.

 

[Juggler75]

keep treating, I learned that ich has a life cycle of about 3 - 5 days from when I researched it. Grows on host surrounded by a shell -> Falls off and lies in substrate multiplying -> Pops and spreads children round in free floating stage looking for a new host. The meds can only kill it when it is in it's free floating stage, looking for a host.
Raising temp speeds up the life cycle so that the meds will kill it quicker, gravel vaccing can hoover up any ich waiting to pop in substrate. Remove carbon from filter to keep meds effective.

I know its frustrating but keep at it and it will go away, just remember to keep treatment up for 3-5 days after last sign of ich has dissapeared just to make sure last free floating traces don't get a chance to find a new host.

 

[holidayinn]

as above, I would raise temperature and increase oxygen (surface agitation)

 

[Meggie :)]

I have one of those ariation stone things in my tank and a strong filter...and I upped the temp...Can't exactly do a gravel vac as I have sand with lots and lots of plants but I'll do the best I can sucking up what I can off the surface...thanks for the help

And how do I know when to stop treating because it looked like it was gone a few days ago but then it came back

 

[AdamBeat8]

Try turning the temp on the tank up yo 80-82. That makes the ick go away.

 

[holidayinn]

I raised temps, increased oxygen for about 10 days to 2 weeks.

 

[fluttermoth]

Personally, I'd do a big water change, run some carbon for a couple of days and then start treating with something else. There are lots of strains of resistant ich around now, you probably just need a different med.

 

[Meggie :)]

I don't think I can do carbon, can I? Because I am dosing with liquid ferts...

 

[Mikaila31]

Use a copper based medication, treat until all sign are gone. Then treat for another 2 weeks regardless of what the medication says.

 

[rainbow-a-holic]

I would reccommend treating with tonic salt rather than medications, I have had rapid results when I have caught it early. Some fish are salt sensitive and therefore salt shouldnt be used with them. Your mollies and other livebearers will be happy with the reccomended low salt doses for a short period of time

 

[Mikaila31]

Salt is not any less of a chemical treatment then copper sulfate is. Ich AFAIK is more sensitive to copper then it is to salt.