Ick or fungus?

[Dark Rose]

I'm trying to treat my small community tank, but my options are limited, as well as my knowledge of diseases...

I thought I had ick, started on my Black Neon Tetras only, small white spots on them, almost like grains of salt...

Immediately went to my only LFS (Petco) and all they had was Sentry products, Coppersafe, and ParaShield... Went with ParaShield, because I have shrimp and snails in the tank...

Followed directions, bumped the temp to 82, and using a half dose twice a day (since there are inverts in the tank) instead of full dose once a day... After 4 days of treatment, no change...



Wondering if it could be a fungus instead, so I got the only other thing we had in town, some Jungle Fungus Clear tablets... so I guess I'll see how that goes... It seems my options are really limited around here, especially with shrimp and snails in the tank... Melafix isn't safe for them is it? I think I saw some of that at Wal-Mart, but does it contain copper?

I can try to get some pics of the tetras affected tomorrow, as I'm about to leave for a family cookout... Is there an easy way to tell between ick and fungus? Been years since I've seen ick (in my parents tank, when I was little...)

Edit: After doing some more Googling, I'm still leaning towards ick... Has anyone else used the Sentry ParaShield?

 

[Aquanero]

You can cure Ich with heat alone. Do a 50% water change and raise the temp to 88. Do every other day 25% water changes and gravel vacuming for 10 days. The Ich will get worse before it gets better as the temp accelerates the life cycle. Keep the temp up for ten days and then return to normal.

 

[tlindsey]

I learn something new everyday.

 

[Dark Rose]

Ok. I'd always read not to raise the temp above 84... The problem might be solving itself, apparently the ick is weakening the Black Neons (which still appear to be the only fish affected). One by one I'm finding them dead against a filter intake... Will try raising the temp a little more and see if I can save the two or three that are left...

Thanks!

 

[Dark Rose]

Well the last of my Black Neons had bit the dust this morning when I got up... weird that all of my other fish appear fine... (Neons, glolight tetras, golden and cherry barbs, golden and Bolivian ram cichlids, Onto cats, farlowella cats, and a pleco)

Is it common for ick to only infect one species? I'm going to continue treatment for a few more days and make sure none of my other fish come down with it...

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