OK, my fish got the sickness ick, which i bought a solution, not the powder, to treat my fish. I heard that it is a class 2 cancer producing chemical or something. Is it actually bad to touch, and also, is there an alternative way of treating ick?
2007-05-29 16:57:54 · 6 answers · asked by Andrew T 2 in Pets ➔ Fish
Malachite Green is a low level carcinogen. It doesn't directly cause cancer but can be a contributing factor in some cases and at some levels. I would caution you to be careful not to get it on your skin if possible and to wash well if you do, but not to worry overly either. Below is a link to the Material Safety Data Sheet for Malachite Green.
You can also treat ich using other chemicals, but most are less effective than MG or Formalin ( also a carcinogen).
To avoid chemicals completely you can treat ich effectively with a combination of heat and salt.
Change a large portion of the water, about 50-60% while cleaning the gravel very well.
Clean the filter and change all the media but leave out the carbon.
Add 1 teaspoon of salt per gallon of the tank.
Raise the temperature to 88-90 F. Raise it slowly, about 1 degree per hour. You may need to add an air stone or two depending on the type of fish and how heavily the tank is stocked. Treat for at least 7 days after you see the last white spots on any of the fish. After the treatment return the tank temperature to normal.
Hope that helps
MM
2007-05-29 17:10:33 · answer #1 · answered by magicman116 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
two ways that your fish may have caught ick....if there was a drastic change in water temp. or if you just recently added new fish from a pet store. its common. walmart fish are really bad for this.
its not a cancer. it more like a parasite or a bacteria. touching it is not recommended because it can actually damage the membrane on the fish scales.
to treat it tho use the recommended dose of the ick treatment for your tank. if you are really concerned. corral the fish in one area of your tank gently with a net, adding the drops where they are concentrated. follow the recommended instructions. some people may suggest that you remove the charcoal and the sponge from the filter as treatment is in progress. but i never did. the only thing that i would recommend that you do tho is replace both the charcoal and the sponge after the treatment is done and the problem is resolved. otherwise you may infect any new additions which can infect the rest again.
good luck
2007-05-29 17:13:47 · answer #2 · answered by CRSTLDRGN 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Go to your local fish shop and purchase Mardel products. These are not cancer causing and they do not mess with your biological filter. Many of these products can be used togeather and they offer a disease guide for future purposes or beginners who did not purchase books (which I also recommend you do) I agree with one of the other writers that raising the temp. even a degee or two can promote health at times like this and want you to know in case he didn't mention it that the salt he offered up is not table salt but aquarium salt. You can also use melefix and pimafix (also at the fish shop) and I can tell you from using malachite green that its quite effective but does mean water changes etc. when these others I've mentioned do not. Just add back the carbon and the best live bacteria for a boost and the fish like is called "cycle". I also recommend for you "The tropical fish hobbiest magazine (probably also available at your fish shop or bookstore and it will lead you to other books and answers to many common questions) if something tells you it has cancer causing agents you do need to handle with care and wash your hands good or avoid it if you feel uncomfortable with it.
2007-05-29 20:28:56 · answer #3 · answered by punk 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That may not be ick clown loaches are pretty sensitive to water quaility iv seen a few of them with white fungus over them that people mistake for ick have you tested your water? it is most probly ick there they tend to be prone to gettin it not 100% sure on what to do to cure it with clown loaches as iv read they are not very good with medication treatments
2016-03-19 01:37:04 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd wash my hands regardless.
But I think I used to have drops for ick. It was like a multi-purpose remedy solution. You just put in some drops.
2007-05-29 17:05:59 · answer #5 · answered by statman84032 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are several ways to treat ich,too many to go into in this forum,but the web should provide several references.
2007-05-29 17:32:01 · answer #6 · answered by PeeTee 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋