White Spot Not Clearing

[svenrufus]

On the third day of treatment for white spot now. I've cranked temp up to 82 as told to do, and added meds on time everyday. I'm using eSHa EXIT - the pack says should show signs of improvement in 1-2 days. Nothing has changed. It does also mention a more resistant strain, and says to carry on for a bit longer if it doesn't clear.

I'm wondering how common the more resistant one is? My main concern is that as I've taken the carbon out of the filtration system, and not fed them since then to avoid NH3 spike - so will an extended period of no food impact on the health of the fish, maybe add stress which could make it harder to shrug off the parasite? Would it be OK to feed a bit even without filter at full capacity tomorrow if I need to continue treatment?

Water conditions were fine yesterday when I tested, so not immediately worried, but want to be prepared for when I might have to make some choices.

(NB only one fish has it, a red tailed rasbora, which only 4 spots, one on dorsal fin, one on pectoral fin and 2 on body. It seems well enough although was doing a bit of fin nipping and body rubbing against a slate yesterday)

 

[soybean]

It takes far longer than a couple of days to treat ich.

This article is very good and explains the life cycle of the parasite and how to treat it properly - its long, but you'll probably never need to ask a question about ich ever again: http/www.skepticalaquarist.com/ichthyophthirius

You can safely feed the fish, but fish can go a lot longer than we think without food. A light feed every other day will suffice for one rasbora.

 

[svenrufus]

Yeah, I was surprised that this treatment said only 3 days judging from what I'd read before. It claims to work on the free swimming phase AND the phase attached to the fish, hence the quicker action than the life cycle would otherwise allow. Is that a questionable claim then? Any experience of that particular remedy? The fish shop I got it from (a branch of Maidenhead aquatics) seemed happy to recommend it.

I don't mind how long it takes, as long as it goes, but my big concern remains the fish welfare if not being fed over a longer period, against the impact on water quality if feeding without the full filter in place.

 

[soybean]

I'm sure your filter can cope with one tiny rasbora, even if you have removed a sponge. It will NEED ammonia from the fish to keep the bacteria going. Like I said, you can feed the fish lightly, it will need a mouthful a day if that.

Never heard of that treatment. I have used waterline protozin in the past but haven't had ich for years.

 

[svenrufus]

It's only one fish that has visible white spot, but 12 fish in total in the tank (all small, 6 neons, 6 rasbora) I'll take your comments on re feeding. I'll keep treating until it's all gone regardless of what the meds say.
Cheers
Sven

 

[soybean]

If you read that article I posted, it will explain how just one fish showing white spots doesn't mean only one fish has it. Essentially you need to treat as if they all do.

 

[svenrufus]

So, i've been trying to sort the WS now on day 11.

Since I last posted here the visible spots have not shifted from the one fish I first saw it on (and it remains otherwise bright and active), and no new visible spots have been seen on any of the other fish (who are on the whole all looking happy enough as well - BUT...

A few days ago one of the neons started getting sluggish, hiding, and breathing rapidly. It died two days ago. Today one of the other neons has started displaying the same behaviour. I'm quite worried about where this is going. The symptoms appeared and reached their sad conclusion for the other fish quite quickly.

I have cranked up the temperature to 30C now, and continued with the EXIT treatment, even though it was supposed to be only a 3 day course.

What should I do now - things seem to be getting worse rather than better.

 

[soybean]

I posted you a really useful article, did you read it? Are you doing regular gravel vacs, etc?

 

[svenrufus]

I posted you a really useful article, did you read it? Are you doing regular gravel vacs, etc?

Yes I did read it - Gravel vac when changing water, which I'm doing more often than needed according to the water tests demands. Increased the temperature more, but not started salts or anything

One of the dilemmas I've wrestled with is about this medicine that says it will treat it in 3 days, despite what the article says about the life cycle. I haven't been able to find any reference to people saying it doesn't work, although nor have I found anything where people say it does work either. If this was a new outbreak I'd start off with a different method or different medicine, but I'm nervous about witching mid way - what with all the advice about making sure you continue treatment until 3 days after the last visible sign. I'm not convinced I am doing the right thing, but I'm nervous about making the switch.

 

[soybean]

If you are taking water out, are you adding the meds again or not after a water change?

 

[svenrufus]

Yes, topping up meds - even with an extra drop in to replace some of what has been removed, not just for the dilution effect

 

[soybean]

I don't know then. Perhaps you need a different med. or keep treating for longer. Ask a mod to move this to the emergencies section and you might get more ideas.