Ich Treatment help!!!!

massive attack

New Member
I have a 35 gallon tank with an UGF filter, Hang-on filter, and powerheads. I have +30lbs of live rock, 2 blood shrimp, 1 serpent star, hermits and snails. For fish I have a 6-line wrasse and a firefish. This morning the 6-line has 4-5 white spots (fine otherwise, eating, swimming...) Ich???? Is is possible it will cure itself? Is there a reliable in tank treatment? Or do I have to set-up a hospital tank, with hyposalinity? I would appreciate your input.
Thanks, Mike :confused:
 

beth

Administrator
Staff member
What do the white spots look like? Ick looks like sprinkled salt covering the fish's body and fins.
Since you have Live Rock, then you will have to treat all fish in a separate hospital tank. Live will not tolerate medications or hyposalinity.
 

massive attack

New Member
Yes, I'm pretty sure it was Ich, (white spots...looked like salt). It was probably caused when I dropped the temperature from 82 to 80.
However, I say "WAS" as there is no evidence of the white spots when I came home from work. (about 8 hrs. later) I talked to the guy at the local fish store and he said this is normal though... However, could the 2 cleaner shrimp have cleaned up the ich??? I mean, isn't that what cleaner shrimp are supposed to do, clean parasites???
However, the next question that arises, is this going to be an ongoing problem? In other words should I just face the inevitable fact that I will have to hospitalize the infected fish and treat them?? Or (hope, wish, pray) will the ich maintain at a baseline that the fishes natural immune response + the cleaner shrimp will be able to handle?? (Ich is always present correct?)
I appreciate your input as I'm new to the hobby and want to get my facts straight right off the bat. This message board is a godsend for information about the hobby, just reading has solved many of my problems.
Thanks, Mike :D
 
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