My first actual fish tank is infected with Ich. Can I treat it without changing the water?

Question

Two other goldfish are already infected. Is it too late for them? I have 2 red caps and 2...well, I don't know their species names but they have "bubble eyes" and are white, red, orange, and spotted black. One of each is infected. Please help! What can I do?

Answer 1

First off, the ick will need to be treated with something like Rid-ich and yes, you'll need to do a water change of about 25% every few days while you do the treatment.

You should be doing a weekly water change in your aquarium of around 1/4th of the tank. Just doing a gravel vaccum should remove enough water. Simply replace the water with de-chlorinated tap water of the same temperature! :)

If you follow this link, you can research and learn how to treat ich and even prevent it from happening again!
http://www.netpets.com/fish/reference/freshref/ich.html
Hope this helps!

Answer 2

Ok, it's obvious you are missing some very very important facts about having fish as pets. Pick up the phone or head over to the nearest Pet store or better yet, one that specializes in fish, only. There you will find some knowledgeable people who will be able to advise you of the pro's and con's of having fish as pets. They take some work. It's not just you dropping by every now and then to shake some flakes in or add some water. You have to change the water every so often. Know why?? Fish like humans have excrement movements and fish food, if not eaten, tends to spoil, causing the water to get murky. That is just basic fish 101 ed. Too many fishes have gone to the big fish bowl in the sky via a toilet flush. Before the fish you have take that trip, get educated in fish care. You'll be happy and so will the fishies.

Answer 3

Well unfortunately it doesn't matter how much treatment you give the water for the fish, the only solution is to do a water change and then throw a hell of a lot of salt in and then pray that it will do the job. If it gets worse in the next couple of days give your fish to a watery grave and clean your tank thoroughly and that means from top to bottom, have fun

Answer 4

Ick is a parasite that takes hold when the fishes are stressed by bad water quality. Yours is a new tank I presume. "New Tank syndrome" Add some Ammolock or Amquel or any anti ammonia compound. Change half the water and add the above compounds. The Ick will go away when you solve the root cause. Ick medication will also help.

Answer 5

Go to a pet store and get some stuff called Ich Away.It can be treated without changing the water.I think it 2 drops for every 15 gallons.

Answer 6

I dont know if this drops are available in your area. But in our country we turn the tank into a hospital tank by adding ich blue drops. It will turn the water actually blue clears the problem in a couple of days. Seems harmless to the fish.

Answer 7

Yes! Go to the local aquarium supply shop asap. You can buy some water treatment. All you do is add it to the water and wait for it to clear up. If you want to save your fish, though, you need to act fast as Ich can be deadly if left untreated.

Answer 8

yes you can . we have a 100 gal and a 90 gallon pond and another 35 gallon aquarim. we had ick and the pet store sold us some ick medication. it works for us . lots of luck with your little buddies. actually you are suppose to empty your tank 2/3 the way each month. and use chlorine clear each month. God Bless

Answer 9

I never had to change the water and I used ich out. It worked very well.

Answer 10

You can just get the drops, but I would recommend do a 50% water change too just to ensure the other fish won't get sick !