sick fish

[Mustange457]

this morning i work up and notice most if not all my fish had white spots on there back there really small but there all over so i did a water change then two of the fish died later and all the other fish are acting weird i tried to take a pic but the dots are two small does any one have any idea of what the problem could be my water is fine i have 2 needle fish 1 pleco 4 clown loaches and i had 2 pictus cats but not any more in a 55g

any help well be appreciated

 

[Nick660]

Sounds like ich.

Read the sticky thread in this section on treatment. Clown loaches are very prone to getting ich and at the same time are sensitive to both salt and medications, so you'll have to decide whether you prefer to use an anti-ich medication at half dose or the salt and high temp treatment. If it was me in your situation, i'd probably choose to use medication.

Also test the water for ammonia, nitrIte and nitrAte.

Good luck

 

[ShadowBass]

I haven't lost clowns treating with super ich cure at half dose.

Clowns aren't actually that prone to ich with very good water quality, so I agree, definately check your parameters.

Ammonia and nitrites should be 0, nitrates should be below 20ppm since you have clowns in there, lower would be better. Nitrates on my clown tank are below 5ppm, we do 25% water changes a day and siphon out any excess food.
Clowns can also be stressed by large water changes, so if possible try to do small water changes each day rather than large water changes weekly.

You should also test your pH in your tapwater and tank to make sure they're the same, if possible test your TDS. (Total Disolved Solids)

 

[Mustange457]

i did that salt and heat before a i left for work and i come home to 3 dead clowns and the last one on the way out i hope i can save the only 4 fish i have left

 

[Plecos_Ftw]

ich (if it is, which it sounds like) is hard to get rid of.. I dont really know how to 100% sure get rid of it. I even had a lfs that i go to told me that they have drained their tank and it still has it. they probably didnt clean the filters good or tank. but still ive heard its hell.. did you get it from fish you got and didnt put in a watch tank before you put them in with your other fish? I suggest you trace ur steps and not buy fish from where you got the poor little guys with ich i also agree the ich thread is highly informative. good luck my dear and let us know what happend!

 

[Nick660]

i did that salt and heat before a i left for work and i come home to 3 dead clowns and the last one on the way out i hope i can save the only 4 fish i have left

Sorry to hear

I suspect that the disease was well established before you noticed it.
I hope the other fish make it.
I would continue with the salt and heat treatment for at least 2 weeks. Test the water and perform regular water changes, at the same time vacuuming the substrate thoroughly. After you are sure its cleared up restock gradually.

Good luck

 

[Mustange457]

how can u be absolutely sure that it is completely gone

because i would hate to get some more tank mates and then they come down with it

 

[Nick660]

how can u be absolutely sure that it is completely gone

because i would hate to get some more tank mates and then they come down with it

If you continue the heat and salt treatment (recommended in the Ich treatment sticky thread) for 2 weeks after seeing the last signs of it on your fish then you should be fine.

Of course, when introducing new fish you can't guarantee that they will be disease free. The best way to avoid further problems is by quarantining any newcomers for a month in a separate tank before they go into your main tank. Obviously not everyone does this but it's up to you how much of a risk you are willing to take. Either way, after introducing new fish, all you fish should be monitored closely for any signs of disease and treated accordingly. The earlier you spot any signs of disease, the easier it is to successfully treat.

 

[cichlid savage]

Sounds like ich which is hard to get rid of. I have had success with the salt treatment.

 

[aquariumguy2300]

It is probably ick. my fish had it. Raise the temperature to 82F, and add some ick treatment from a store. It will be gone in a week. I used Quick Cure.