what kind of salt to treat cichlids with ick?

Question

my cichlids have ick.i know about ick meds, but want to treat with salt. any one kow what kind of salt i can use to do this?how long do i treat?

Answer 1

You can use epsom salts, or just regular non-iodized table salt or aquarium salt.

Use 1 heaping tablespoon of salt per 5 gallons of aquarium water, disolved first in dechlorinated water. Increasing the temperature a few degrees can speed the process.

At 89F, the Ich parasite will cease to multiply and will die, but 89F can be dangerously high so don't attempt it unless you know your fish can handle it.

Keep the salt at this concentration for 2 weeks, and that should completely eradicate the parasite. Before you add the salt, do a large water change, and do a water halfway through (don't forget to add salt to the new water).

Answer 2

I've heard about this method. You dip them in the salt water 2-3 times a day then keep them in a quarintine tank for a few weeks. I've attached and answer to someone else's question regarding salt treatment for ick. Hope this helps.

I've heard of so many fish supposedly sensitive to salt too but I've never had a problem using it to treat ich, even in those fish. In my opinion, the parasite and the harsh irritating/burning medicines used are worse than salt. You might want to add an airpump with an airstone to help agitate the water and give the fish more oxygen. When you raise the temperature to 82 in treating ich, oxygen saturation reduces. The airpump will help greatly as well as moving the water more, keeping the parasites from being able to attach to the fish as easily as usual.

It would be a good idea to make a 25% water change in the tank first and vacuum the gravel at the same time. Also stop feeding them for a couple of days. I noticed the ammonia levels are elevated. It may simply be from the dead plecostamus, but it would best not to take any chances of further stress. They will not starve, so don't worry. Healthy fish can go for more than 2 weeks with no food at all. Right now they aren't feeling well and may not digest as well as they normally would anyway. It will reduce the waste a bit and help the biological system recover from whatever caused the ammonia spike.

Remember too that you may see more spots at first. The parasites that have just attached to the fish before you added salt are not showing as spots yet. The parasite has to burst and let loose little "tomites". They leave the protection of the fishes' skin and are killed by the heat and salt in the water.

Answer 3

ick is an awful thing to treat. I would use aquarium salt. Just a pinch. You only have to use the salt once until you do a water change, then you can add another pinch. Also get some stress coat to help their fins heal. If the salt isn't showing any change with your cichlids within 48 hours, I would go with a medication. Follow the directions of the medication to the detail. Water changes and treatment is very important in getting rid of diseases in your tank.

Answer 4

Zoe's pretty much right on, but let me add. I use aqua salt. I dont hit the 89 mark as there are alot of strains that high temps wont kill. You must keep the water well airated(powerhead) as both salt and higher temp take oxygen outta the water. Do more water changes then suggested. Every 2-3 days to completely gravel vaccuum the substrate. The higher temps speed the ick cycle, and you need to get the cysts in the gravel every chance you get. Salt is just an irritant to the fish, which actually helps them promote their own self defense. Remember the only salt that comes outta the tank is in the amount of water you take outta the tank(1TBLS per 5g) with water changes, so add back to new water as she suggested.

Answer 5

I treated Ich once after I had to board my fish at an Aquatic keep my seal went on my 2 hundred gallon tank and after I were given my Clownloach again taking under consideration they are over 13 years previous that they had white spot . In my new three hundred gallon tank i bumped up the nice and cozy temperature gradually to 86F and kept it there 2 weeks with on a daily basis water adjustments and the Ich became lengthy gone after 5 days . you save the nice and cozy temperature at 86F for 14 days and a couple of years on its in no way come again .

Answer 6

Non iodized rock salt. You can use aquarium salt but its not neccessary. Kosher or ice cream salt will work fine.

Answer 7

you have to use the meds too, you can use sea salt to speed recovery but salt alone will not solve the problem.