Flagtail and malachite green

[nomad]

I recently got a 5" flagtail that developed a severe case of ick (while in the quarantine tank). Raised the temp to 85.5 and added salt with no sign on improving for the past 4 days.
I did a 50% WC today and I'm planing on treating with QuIck Cure (active ingredients Formalin and Malachite Green) . Dosage says 1 drop/g for regular fish and 1d/2g for the tetra family.
I know the Flagtails are related to the tetra family, so should I treat w/ half dose ?
Do you guys have any experience with this ? thanks in advance .

 

[nomad]

anyone (preferably Lupin lol) ?

 

[calioutlaw1a]

4 days is not long enough for a course of ich treatment. You should continue for a few more days.

If you want to go with the quick cure, then do a couple 50% water changes over the next couple of days to get rid of the salt, drop the temp down a few degrees, and start with a half dose. If there is no sign of stress after about 30 minutes, then add another half dose to total a full dose. Monitor again for 30 minutes for signs of stress. Do a 50% water change if you see clear signs of stress to bring the dose back down to half.
The next day try 75% dose if it can't handle a full dose, and again monitor for signs of stress.

 

[nomad]

4 days is not long enough for a course of ich treatment. You should continue for a few more days.

If you want to go with the quick cure, then do a couple 50% water changes over the next couple of days to get rid of the salt, drop the temp down a few degrees, and start with a half dose. If there is no sign of stress after about 30 minutes, then add another half dose to total a full dose. Monitor again for 30 minutes for signs of stress. Do a 50% water change if you see clear signs of stress to bring the dose back down to half.
The next day try 75% dose if it can't handle a full dose, and again monitor for signs of stress.

the problem is that in 4 days I didn't notice the slightest sign of improvement which made me think that quick cure might be the way to go.
your suggestion makes sense but why should I lower the temp ? thanks btw

 

[calioutlaw1a]

the problem is that in 4 days I didn't notice the slightest sign of improvement which made me think that quick cure might be the way to go.
your suggestion makes sense but why should I lower the temp ? thanks btw

It is normal not to see signs of improvement initially, and often the infection will appear to get worse during the first 4 days of treatment or so.

Toxicity of malachite green and formalin can increase with higher temperatures. Thus, just as starting out with a half dose is safer, so is starting out with a lower temperature.

So start out safe, and work your way up. Be sure that you have tons of aeration if you are going to use the quick cure, because warmer water holds less oxygen, and formalin also depletes oxygen.

 

[nomad]

It is normal not to see signs of improvement initially, and often the infection will appear to get worse during the first 4 days of treatment or so.

Toxicity of malachite green and formalin can increase with higher temperatures. Thus, just as starting out with a half dose is safer, so is starting out with a lower temperature.

So start out safe, and work your way up. Be sure that you have tons of aeration if you are going to use the quick cure, because warmer water holds less oxygen, and formalin also depletes oxygen.

got it....after I added half dose yesterday I lowered the temp and added another half today . I noticed a change in the ick spots texture ....they are whiter and "fuzzier" than before.
I am planing on adding a full dose tomorrow. How long should I wait before starting another treatment cycle (I know a 50% WC has to be done beforehand) ?

 

[calioutlaw1a]

What do you mean by starting another treatment cycle?

 

[nomad]

What do you mean by starting another treatment cycle?

On the Quick Cure bottle it says that maximum dosage is 3 daily treatments and if further medication is required, a 25% WC is needed before starting another 3 day treatment cycle.

 

[calioutlaw1a]

You can dose daily, and do 25% WCs daily for even better results. The reason they tell you to do a 25% water change is to remove organics that can interfere with the treatment.

I'd recommend vacuuming the bottom of the tank daily just before you give the dose for that day. This will keep organics to a minimum, and reduce the cyst and free swimming stages of ich.

 

[nomad]

ok , thanks