Treating ich...

[reg2k2]

I moved a newly purchased H&TL tetra to a med tank, cuz he had a white mark on his nose (didn't look like ich). Treated w/ Melafix for a wk, the mark went away, but then I saw he had ich, maybe 10 spots. That was Wed. night, and Thurs. there were no spots visible at all. I assumed that was maybe the free-swimming stage? and began treatmt w/ Rid-Ich (all I had). The following day, I noticed his tail-fin had shrunk! I debated and decided to continue, and see how he did.

How many days should I continue? An info sheet on Rid-Ich said continue 3days after visible signs; since there were no visible signs when I started, and tonight/tomorrow will have been the 3rd day, is that enough? Although I think it said avg. treatmt sh. take 6-7days.

Or might it be something else?

Any thoughts?

Fish is still swimming & eating.

I've read the recent thread on ich and bumped the temp. from 79 to 82deg.

 

[Danny - the lost soul---]

I would not over treat because this can cause the parasite to become to get used to the med and it have little affect next time around. As you probobly read I am a strong believer of Maracide.
Finish that treatment as the package states. Once treatment is complete do a partial water change. If there are signs or the ich returns use the Maracide as recommended on the bottle. 1 drop for every gallon. treat for 5 days. All that 3 day stuff IMO / IME is garbage and a waste of money sometimes a waste of fish lives.

Keep me posted,
Danny

 

[reg2k2]

Hi Danny.

The directions say to repeat daily 'til cure is effected (hard to say since there were no spots when I added med's). And above, that was sposed to say 3dy after vis.signs are gone. So, u think cutting it out tomorrow makes sense?

I'm gonna resume Melafix (for his tail) maybe the next day.

How long should I wait to see if ich reoccurs, is a week long enough?

Thanks.

 

[Danny - the lost soul---]

The problem is ich can stay dormant and strike again even worse. I would finish the meds for the tail problem, water change when treatment is done and dose the tank with a FULL treatment of the Maracide.
This medication will not harm the fish nor tank if used as a percautionary measure. Now being you are still having trouble I think it would be safe to say treat the tank. But be sure NOT to mix meds because this can put added stress on the fish and make the water quality even worse than it already is with the meds.

By alrady is I mean because a healthy tank IMO is a tank chemical / med/additive free. though there are times those additives / meds are well needed. Life or death is a good resson.

I hate to suggest more meds but ..... ich can be a nasty bugger to deal with. If we decide to go the week just BE SURE to monitor the tank and fish for ANY signs of ich/scratching/rubbing on objectsand or rapid breathing. if any signs return dose them up.
Danny