Ich?

[Emily_R]

Tank size: 55gal
pH: 6.5-7
ammonia: 0
nitrite: 0
nitrate: 0
kH: 0
gH: 0
tank temp: 79, bumping up to 81

Fish Symptoms (include full description including lesion, color, location, fish behavior): I’ve noticed a bunch of white spots on some of my fish, they’re lethargic and sitting around. Within the past 24 hours I’ve lost 2 angelfish, 1 pictus catfish, and 1 hi-fin skirt tetra.

Volume and Frequency of water changes: 25-30% once a week

Chemical Additives or Media in your tank: Bacteria supplement added after water change and Stress Coat when adding new fish.

Tank inhabitants: Angelfish, Neon Tetras, Gouramis, Hi-Fin Skirt Tetras, LF Rosy Barbs, Balloon Rams, Albino Corys, and a Bristlenose Pleco.

Recent additions to your tank (living or decoration): A month ago I added frogbit plants, 3 weeks ago I added 3 LF Rosy Barbs, 3 Hi-Fin Skirt Tetras, and 2 Balloon Rams. 1 week ago I added 4 Gouramis, 2 Angelfish, and 3 Albino Corys.

Exposure to chemicals: None.

I’m thinking that I have Ich in my tank but I’ve seen various instructions on treatment with something like API Super Ick Cure. Some websites say 5-7 days and others say 10-14 (both with water changes in between). What would be the best way to go about treating my tank?

 

[Colin_T]

The safest way to treat whitespot is to raise the water temperature to 30C (86F) and keep it there for 2 weeks. No chemicals needed, just raise the temp and increase aeration/ surface turbulence to maximise oxygen levels.

Wipe the inside of the glass down and do a 75-90% water change and gravel clean the substrate before increasing the temperature.

Clean the filter if it hasn't been done in the last 2 weeks.

 

[Emily_R]

The safest way to treat whitespot is to raise the water temperature to 30C (86F) and keep it there for 2 weeks. No chemicals needed, just raise the temp and increase aeration/ surface turbulence to maximise oxygen levels.

Wipe the inside of the glass down and do a 75-90% water change and gravel clean the substrate before increasing the temperature.

Clean the filter if it hasn't been done in the last 2 weeks.

Will raising the temperature that drastically hurt the fish? I don’t want to stress them out more than they already are.

 

[Colin_T]

Most tropical fish can tolerate 30C for a few weeks. Just make sure you increase aeration to maximise the oxygen levels. And do a really big water change first because it will help to dilute the number of disease organisms in the water, which means there are fewer to infect the fish.

Warm water is a lot less stressful to the fish than poisonous chemicals that are the other option.

Whatever you do, make it quick because whitespot starts to kill fish within days of it first appearing.

If you want more info on whitespot, you can check out the following link. The first post on page 1 and second post on page 2 are worth a read.
http://www.fishforums.net/threads/what-is-ich.7092/

 

[Emily_R]

Most tropical fish can tolerate 30C for a few weeks. Just make sure you increase aeration to maximise the oxygen levels. And do a really big water change first because it will help to dilute the number of disease organisms in the water, which means there are fewer to infect the fish.

Warm water is a lot less stressful to the fish than poisonous chemicals that are the other option.

Whatever you do, make it quick because whitespot starts to kill fish within days of it first appearing.

If you want more info on whitespot, you can check out the following link. The first post on page 1 and second post on page 2 are worth a read.
http://www.fishforums.net/threads/what-is-ich.7092/

Got it, thank you!