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Freshwater fish disease / How to treat ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)
« on: April 30, 2020, 06:46:02 pm »
Ichthyophthirius multifiliis is or Ich for short is a parasite that is common in aquarium fish. Typically fish with ich will look like they have been dusted with with salt, small white nodules will cover their body. Ich is extremely common and I will be outlining some easy and effective treatment methods.
Heat: Ich cannot stand the heat. One of the most effective methods is to raise the temperature slowly up to 88F for a short period of time. The ich will perish within a few days. This treatment only works if it is done over a few days.
Be warned there are heat resistant strains of ich out there.
Starving the Fish: Ich feeds off the fishes nutrients. Therefore if you deny the fish food the ich will soon die. I have done this several times and within a few days the ich was gone. However some disagree that this method is effective
Large water changes: Ich frequently occurs in tanks that are dirty and unkempt. Large water changes and proper water parameters can help to prevent ich from infesting a tank.
Medications: There are various medications for ich I used API ich cure and it worked well however it was rather pricey. When treating bettas with ich do not use bettafix or melafix because it contains tea tree oil and it will coat their labyrinth organ and suffocate them. Anything with machalite green or is copper based should do the trick for killing ich.
My methods/how I treat ich: I rarely run into ich. My tanks are well kept and clean however when I do I usually use the heat/starvation method. It usually clears up within a few days to a week. I combine this with large water changes.
Causes: Ich is caused by stress, poor water conditions, wrong temperature and over crowding. Proper water conditions, correct temperature, and proper stocking can help to prevent ich. Large water changes also are good.
Heat: Ich cannot stand the heat. One of the most effective methods is to raise the temperature slowly up to 88F for a short period of time. The ich will perish within a few days. This treatment only works if it is done over a few days.
Be warned there are heat resistant strains of ich out there.
Starving the Fish: Ich feeds off the fishes nutrients. Therefore if you deny the fish food the ich will soon die. I have done this several times and within a few days the ich was gone. However some disagree that this method is effective
Large water changes: Ich frequently occurs in tanks that are dirty and unkempt. Large water changes and proper water parameters can help to prevent ich from infesting a tank.
Medications: There are various medications for ich I used API ich cure and it worked well however it was rather pricey. When treating bettas with ich do not use bettafix or melafix because it contains tea tree oil and it will coat their labyrinth organ and suffocate them. Anything with machalite green or is copper based should do the trick for killing ich.
My methods/how I treat ich: I rarely run into ich. My tanks are well kept and clean however when I do I usually use the heat/starvation method. It usually clears up within a few days to a week. I combine this with large water changes.
Causes: Ich is caused by stress, poor water conditions, wrong temperature and over crowding. Proper water conditions, correct temperature, and proper stocking can help to prevent ich. Large water changes also are good.