I got fish problems!! Help me!?

Question

My goldfish has ick. I put these tablets in the tank a couple of days ago and he's not getting better. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

If you have already tried medication without results, there is another way to cure ich. The other approach is to actually destroy the organism with heat, and can be combined with the salt treatment, but not with meds.

The data that was studied (including a report by the Southern Regional Aquaculture Center) suggests that most strains of Ich cannot reproduce at temperatures above 85ºF.

To use this temperature treatment approach, slowly (no more than 1 or 2 degrees per hour) raise the temperature to 86ºF, while maintaining strong continuous surface agitation to oxygenate the water.

This is extremely important because water holds less O2 at higher temperatures. (This is why meds should not be used in conjunction with high temp – most Ich treatment products also reduce oxygen levels. Less available oxygen, combined with the respiration difficulties an infected fish is already faced with, could be fatal.)

The adjusted temperature should be maintained for approximately 10 days, or a minimum of 3 days after all signs of the parasite have disappeared (the life cycle of the parasite is 7 days).

Do not discontinue treatment when the spots go away. This is critical, because we know that the parasites are visible only as a white spot (trophont) on the body of the host, and not during the reproductive or free-swimming stage. We also know that trophonts on the gills are impossible to see.

I have used this heat treatment more than once and it has always worked well.

Goldfish are coldwater fish, but since this heat treatment is only temporary, it will work for them also.

Answer 2

If you've only treated a few days, you may not notice any difference yet. A full cure takes between 10 and 14 days, sometimes longer.

If you're judging the effectiveness of your medication by the fact that you still see spots on your fish, when the parasite is on the fish they make cysts around themselves and any medication can't reach them. You have to wait until they drop off the fish and are in the water - this is the only place where the medication works. You can speed this up by increasing the heat - slowly - to as warm as your goldfish can take the heat. Andif you don't believe they can take increases in temperature, they should try measuring the temperature in some of the little backyard ponds they're kept in. They can tolerate temps into the 90s, but prefer cooler temperatures because there's more dissolved oxygen in the water. So if you don't have a filter or airstone, you should use one if you decide to increase the temps.

I'd also suggest that you check the active ingredients in the medication you're using. Medications containg some form of copper (which includes malachite green) or formalin, or both will be the most effective. If you've got a filter running, you'll need to remove any charcoal/activated carbon or it will remove the medication from the water.

So my recommendations would be for you to first check your ingredients and make sure the carbon's out. Try raising his temperature (above 86o is the most effective, but any increase will speed up the lifecycle), and give a treatment a chance to work. See more info in the websites below:

ADDITION: I was just reading that an ingredient in Amquel may affect the effectiveness of malachite green - don't know if this affects your situation or not.

Answer 3

My Fish had MAJOR ick and I found some drops that i put into my tank and had to shut off the circulation for liek two days and then all my ick was gone I dont remeber the name of the drops but I do know hey were blue and I got them at Walmart!

Answer 4

First off I know of very few people who have luck with the tablets.

You are going to have to get a good liquid medicine. Remember to remove the carbon from the filter when treating.

Follow the directions. Also, ich sometimes takes 10 day and even a second treatment may be needed for serious cases.

Also, since you have goldfish, DO NOT raise the temperatures, this will stress your fish out further and you need temperatures exceeding 90 to actually kill the parasite. Raising your goldfish (which are coldwater fish) for a constant for a number of days is not healthy or your fish. Also, don't add salt. This will also create complecations with your fish.

If you need more help feel free to email me.

Get a good liquid medication at the store.

Answer 5

The old remedy of ick, use some salt, but just a small bit if it is a bowl or depending on your tank size.

Leave your fish to recover, give it a week at most.

If not, you got to find better tablets because like us humans, certain fish can be immune or allergic to drugs.

Hopefully your goldfish recovers.

Answer 6

The old remedy of ick, use some salt, but just a small bit if it is a bowl or depending on your tank size.

Answer 7

when a fish is ill, it's hard to medicate them and cure them of any diseases. Fish medication can be very costly. If its a inexpensive fish, just buy a new one but if a expensive fish like a gold or red arrowana then you better buy all the fish medication it needs to cure it.

Answer 8

Did you take the carbon/charcoal out of the filter? if you didn't the meds won't be effective. Carbon/Charcoal filters out any meds in the water....



Another good solution is Aquarium Salt.

Answer 9

what is ick? message me or add more details of what ick is because i think i'm able to help.