Fishnut Posted October 23, 2006 Report Share Posted October 23, 2006 I'm not sure if I have a problem or not. I have two aquariums in which I have noticed the fish scrape themselves against rocks or shells in the aquarium. One is a cichlid tank and all the cichlids in it are doing it and the other is a community and I have noticed the clown loaches doing it. I don't see anything visibly wrong with the fish and their behavior is otherwise normal. Does anyone have any advise? I have moved plant and rock between the two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toirtis Posted October 23, 2006 Report Share Posted October 23, 2006 Could be the first signs of an ich outbreak.....look for tiny white spots on the fish. Best treatment is to aerate the tanks and crank the temps to 86ºF and leave it there for 12-14 days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishnut Posted October 23, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 23, 2006 Hi there, just met you last weekend at Riverfront. I don't see any signs of ich at all and the cichlids have been doing this for a good time now. Do you still suggest the temp increase? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toirtis Posted October 23, 2006 Report Share Posted October 23, 2006 Might be a good idea, just as a precaution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted October 23, 2006 Report Share Posted October 23, 2006 Could be reacting to ammonia (ammonium in the cichlid tank)... when was the last WC? Might want to check the levels. A big WC using Prime to treat new water wouldn't be a bad idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maniac Posted October 23, 2006 Report Share Posted October 23, 2006 I noticed my fish scraping themselves right before my really big ich outbreak. The temperature increase might be a good idea just in case. I lost a lot of fish to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishnut Posted October 23, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 23, 2006 I do a 25 to 30% water change on both weekly and all other maintenance is up to date. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maniac Posted October 23, 2006 Report Share Posted October 23, 2006 (edited) I was keeping up on regular maintenance on my tank with water change's and checking levels and everything was fine but my fish were still scraping themselves a little before the ich showed up. It showed up, about a week and a half after really noticing the fish scrape themselves. I'd keep an eye on it. Edited October 23, 2006 by maniac Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted October 23, 2006 Report Share Posted October 23, 2006 Ich is almost always an opportunistic parasite, meaning it doesn't just show up. It attacks when the fish's immune system is week. Doing filter maintenance every week is not really a good idea, as it can disturb your bioligical media - at the very least, don't rinse out the sponge (or ceramic rings, whatever you're using). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maniac Posted October 23, 2006 Report Share Posted October 23, 2006 Ich is almost always an opportunistic parasite, meaning it doesn't just show up. It attacks when the fish's immune system is week. using). Yeah i agree, by showing up i meant seeing the first signs of the spots on the fish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishnut Posted November 6, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 6, 2006 So it's been 12 days at 86 degrees and I did have a minor ick outbreack but have seen no sign in about 3 or 4 days. The fish are still scraping on a shell in the aquarium. I have noticed the clown loaches and a couple of the barbs. Any more suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Osprey Posted November 6, 2006 Report Share Posted November 6, 2006 Give it a little more time. It will take another couple of weeks to rid the tank of symptoms. The ich isn't visible because it's been forced into another developmental stage by the raised temperature. With luck, you'll be able to kill off most of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willfishguy Posted November 7, 2006 Report Share Posted November 7, 2006 Get yourself some Lifebearer by AP, treat according to the directions. This stuff snuffs out the problem your fish are suffering from fast! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ichthyosporidium Posted November 7, 2006 Report Share Posted November 7, 2006 Lifebearer from AP is a great product. I use it for an extra 3 days than stated on the instructions. The reason is because the meds take longer to penetrate the cyst's membranes and the concentration to be a bit lower in the substrate. I find this to be the same for any meds such as malachite green. I have had great sucess by doing so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willfishguy Posted November 7, 2006 Report Share Posted November 7, 2006 (edited) I use it for an extra 3 days than stated on the instructions. The reason is because the meds take longer to penetrate the cyst's membranes and the concentration to be a bit lower in the substrate. I find this to be the same for any meds such as malachite green. I have had great sucess by doing so. Ich- That's cool and great info thanks, but as cowardice as this may sound, I professionally must refrain from providing information on exceeding the prescibed use of medication instructions, thanks for helping to balance this out for me and feel free to do so anytime. Will Edited November 7, 2006 by Willfishguy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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