All of my fish are infected with Ich & i plan on picking up the medicine tommorrow at the pet store. For now i put them in a salt bath but they don't seem to be doing too well.
Is ich only limited to fish? I have a hamster whos cage is right next to the fish tank... is it transmitable to him?
2007-08-14 14:37:21 · 6 answers · asked by lilah 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
First, ich is strictly a fish parasite and is no threat to you or your hamster.
I would suggest taking your fish out of the salt bath asap. Depending on how strongly you mixed the salt, it can kill them fairly quickly.
A good level of salt for a short dip is 3%, or 3 tablespoons per gallon.
To treat the tank for ich using salt and heat
Change a large portion of the water, about 50-60% while cleaning the gravel very well.
Clean the filter and change all the media.
Add 1 tablespoon 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.
or use your preferred ich medication, but I suggest a medication based on Malachite Green, those often work best. Despite any claims tot he contrary on the label, use ich medication for at least 7 days after you see the last white spot on any fish. Due to the life cycle of the ich, that is required to be sure you have removed it from the tank.
If you need any further help with treating your fish or if I can help in any way, feel free to email me.
MM
2007-08-14 14:46:55 · answer #1 · answered by magicman116 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your hamster is fine.
If you have ich or white spots, do a 40~50% water change meanwhile (before you get the medication). The water change will improve the water condition and helps to remove some of the parasites within the water.
.
2007-08-14 14:47:27 · answer #2 · answered by dragonfly_sg 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ick is a parasite that is limited to fish (hooray for the hamster)
Most fish carry the parasite and it goes into the active visible stage of its life cycle when the fish is under stress. check the tanks temperature and if you don't have test kits bring a sample of water to the store too so they can check that as possible causes of it starting in your tank (or are there any new fish in your tank?)
salt irritates the skin of the fish to produce a thicker slime layer this helps sluff the parasite off into the water faster (as does raising the teperature) but without medication in the water to kill the parasite it really doesn't help that much.
once medicating it can help if you have fish that can handle salt good luck
2007-08-14 14:50:17 · answer #3 · answered by john e 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
no your hamster or any other animal will catch ick. ick is only transmitted to fish. make sure to change out half your old water before you do the ick treatment.
2007-08-14 14:47:39 · answer #4 · answered by heavenly_bbw 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ich, is for fish only. Just leave them alone until you get the medicine.
2007-08-14 14:45:12 · answer #5 · answered by Titanic Fan 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just fish only. And if I may recommend a medication, I would HIGHLY recommend CopperSafe. It is much better than the cheaper, Jungle brands.
2007-08-14 15:32:21 · answer #6 · answered by Hill Topper 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i believe that the infection is specific to fish only....
2007-08-14 14:46:00 · answer #7 · answered by honeybunnie1120 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋