What does it look like? found out the LFS store i got my silver doller at had a fish with Ick so he told me to check my fish i got there.. what would i look for? my silver dollar looks like he has 3 little dots on him but i cannot tell if it is just his silver coat refecting.. would it be bad to use that Ick away just to be safe? will it harm them if they do not have it?
What does ick look like?
- Thread starter Jeffd1979
- Start date
Ick look like tiny grains of salt all over the body (or a large portion of it.) It's common in fish that have been stressed out; once the immune system has been lowered, Ick, which are parasites, begin to attack the fish. I'm pretty sure that they are always in the water; its stress that brings it out.
It would be safe to use Ick meds even if the fish didn't have Ick. Some people use a preventative dose all the time, and if you think your LFS has a problem that might be a good idea for you. I would recomend using Maracide, (by Mardel,) however. I am a big fan of Mardel's products.
It would be safe to use Ick meds even if the fish didn't have Ick. Some people use a preventative dose all the time, and if you think your LFS has a problem that might be a good idea for you. I would recomend using Maracide, (by Mardel,) however. I am a big fan of Mardel's products.
here is an article that will pretty much answer all questiuons.
ICH
While ICH is in some aquariums all of the time, it can easily be cured and eradicated permanently. This article explains the life cycle and how to permanently kill off ich. I reccomend the salt and temp method, although the meds will work as well and your silver dollars shouldn't have a problem with meds.
ICH
While ICH is in some aquariums all of the time, it can easily be cured and eradicated permanently. This article explains the life cycle and how to permanently kill off ich. I reccomend the salt and temp method, although the meds will work as well and your silver dollars shouldn't have a problem with meds.
So if i am reading that correctly i should raise the temp to about 86 degrees... i have 2 silver dollars, 4 neon tetras and a betta in there.. any of those in danger at that high of a temp??
The biggest danger you run when raising the temperature is of removing the water's ability to carry a good amount of oxygen. You may want to consider adding an airline (not an airstone) to move around the surface of the water which will integrate more oxygen into the tank.
Betta's are coldwater fish, but I don't see any reason that they wouldn't be able to handle higher temps. I'm not exactly a betta expert though.
Betta's are coldwater fish, but I don't see any reason that they wouldn't be able to handle higher temps. I'm not exactly a betta expert though.
I'm no Betta expert either, but I've read on here that they aren't coldwater fish.
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=30908&highlight=betta+temperature
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=30908&highlight=betta+temperature
As long as you raise the temp slowly ( don't shock them) and keep an eye on the fish there should be no problem. the beatta is better equipped to handle low oxygen than the rest of your fish, as it can go to the surface and breath air when it wants. I would definately use salt in conjunction with the high temps. just to ensure none of the little nasties survives in a cooler spot in your tank. I raise the salt 1/4 tsp per gallon at a time untill I have reached 1.5- 2 tsp per gallon ( you can go as high as 3) and then maintain that level for at least 1 week after you see the last white spot. I use iodized table salt, and have had no problems. non-iodized table salt or freshwater aquarium salt will work just as well if you are nervous about the iodized stuff. Marine salts often have other additives that you don't need, so I tend to avoid them in a freshwater tank.
Bettas are not coldwater fish, they often get treated as such but they certainly did not originate from a cold climate, and should not be un-naturally subjected to that, esp with how cheap heaters have become lately.
Here is a picture of a fish with Ick:
Here is a picture of a fish with Ick:
Ok so i bought this ick medicine and it says to remove the carbon from the filters?? how do i do that.. i have an emperor 400 and don't have any way to do that.. what should i do?
I would wait to be sure your fish has ick before beginning any treatment.
Certainly, if you see an increase in the number of white spots, treatment would be indicated.
Silver dollars seem to be a species especially prone to ick.
Bill in WI
Certainly, if you see an increase in the number of white spots, treatment would be indicated.
Silver dollars seem to be a species especially prone to ick.
Bill in WI