My Clown Loach has Ich!!!

[Debo]

Hi,
I just discovered two days ago that my clown loach has ich. What started out with 2-3 spots is now probably 20 or more. I treated the entire tank (60 gallons} as I didn't want to stress my favorite fish anymore than it needed to be. I have treated an entire tank before for one tank mate's ich problem. Can't hurt can it? I figured it might prevent any new outbreaks or keep it from spreading. The first day I used Ich Clear fizzy tablets as thats all I had and it was 10 pm. I went to the pet store yesterday and the said to use copper safe, which I did and it now has more spots. What works the BEST?? This is my favorite buddy. I also have two new buddies for him waiting in a holding tank till he gets better.HELP!!!
Debbie........................will he make it?

 

[Alien Anna]

You need to keep the treatment up for 10-14 days to be sure but it can't kill the bug while its attached to the fish's body - you have to wait for it to fall off. Raising the temperature helps this happen faster so put it up to 80-82F (slowly).

I've had fish with ich and didn't lose one so try not to worry too much. But do use the lower dose for scaleless fish - that's usually about half the normal dose.

 

[Debo]

Thnaks Anna,
I did use half a dose as it is a clown loach. My temp always remains constant at 80 degrees. Should I raise it slightly? I was so bummed when I noticed the spots. I had just bought two adorable tiny clown loaches so one lone one wouldnt be lonely. Do I treat the water EVERYDAY till it goes away? What's the BEST PRODUCT to use? Are my other fish ok to be treated as well like I was thinking?
Deb

 

[platypus]

Hi Debo,

Possibly raise it to 82 as this will speed up the cycle of the ich, but no higher than that.

Yes, treat every day until it goes (at half dosage like you say). Remember to take any carbon filter media out if you have any as this will remove the medication. It can take a while so don't panic if they're still there well into the treatment! Make sure you continue to treat for a few days after the last spots disappear as well - as the ich will at this point be in its free swimming stage and can still infect. As AA says, 10-14 days should take care of it.

Protozin is what I used most recently - it's made by Waterlife and is available in the UK. But I think most commercially available treatments will do the job.

Your other fish should be OK to have the treatment too - you may find that they too are infected and start to show a few whitespots themselves (clown loaches are particularly susceptible which is why they're showing first).

Don't worry as well - loads of people get ich and provided you treat quickly and properly they should be fine!

 

[Debo]

Hi,
I did a water change today-25%-as recommended. I originally used Ick Cure Fizz Tabs as that was what I had. I went to the pet store and they told me to use copper safe. I went back to get more as I used most of it in one treatment and they were out of it. Is it ok to use the Ick Fizz tablets again as that is all I have now, and the store is out for a week!! Do I do another water change? Is it safe to use the fizz tabs while the copper safe is in the tank? Its a 60 gallon, so doing a 100% water change is out of the question-unless I really need to do that. Let me know ASAP as I need to treat again today.
Deb

 

[Whisper Odinsky]

good luck with you. all 4 of my clowns have ICH. i have lost 1 clown (very little little guy) and i fear the other young one will go as well. mine are in a seperate 5 gallon hospital tank, with a nice 82 degrees, and medicine called *maracide.* (everything else that was suggested wasnt sold in this little nerd town i live in)
best of luck. i recently had to treat all tanks, as some other tetras recieved ich as well.

 

[freshmike]

Good luck. Poor little guys!