Is ICH and individual's disease?

[John Lange]

Is ICH and individual fish's disease or if one has it, the entire tank has
been infected with it? Should I remove this individual and treat it in a
hospital tank, or do I need to treat the entire community?

Thanks
JOhn ><>

[D&M]

From my last experiences.... one fish has it, the entire tank is infested.
But, also from past experience, if the tank is established, fish are healthy
and not stressed, they can fend off the ich without meds. Only exception for
me has been clown loaches, they always get it. I've had it twice now in my
tank in the last 2 months, I just salted and raised the temp. Cleared up on
it's own without any probs. Some of the fish in the tank may flash like
crazy, but never contract it. It takes about 1-2 weeks for it to visibly
clear out with elevated temps and salt.
Then there's the other method, first sign of ich, dose the tank with mel
green, or whatever else til it disappears. Every time I treat the tank with
meds, I lose fish. Since I stopped treating, I haven't lost one.


"John Lange" > wrote in
message t...
> Is ICH and individual fish's disease or if one has it, the entire tank has
> been infected with it? Should I remove this individual and treat it in a
> hospital tank, or do I need to treat the entire community?
>
> Thanks
> JOhn ><>
>
>

[John Lange]

I salted the tank 2 cups of salt in 120g, but I cannot raise the temp. Salt
didn't help after a week. I am now trying mel green, no carbon, lights out.

Hope for the best. It's the bait fish that are exhibiting the ich, one of
the blue gills has a few spots, my biggest concern is the Muskie, he is
growing like crazy and my customers will be crushed.

JOhn ><>

"D&M" > wrote in message
...
> From my last experiences.... one fish has it, the entire tank is infested.
> But, also from past experience, if the tank is established, fish are
healthy
> and not stressed, they can fend off the ich without meds. Only exception
for
> me has been clown loaches, they always get it. I've had it twice now in my
> tank in the last 2 months, I just salted and raised the temp. Cleared up
on
> it's own without any probs. Some of the fish in the tank may flash like
> crazy, but never contract it. It takes about 1-2 weeks for it to visibly
> clear out with elevated temps and salt.
> Then there's the other method, first sign of ich, dose the tank with mel
> green, or whatever else til it disappears. Every time I treat the tank
with
> meds, I lose fish. Since I stopped treating, I haven't lost one.
>
>
> "John Lange" > wrote in
> message t...
> > Is ICH and individual fish's disease or if one has it, the entire tank
has
> > been infected with it? Should I remove this individual and treat it in
a
> > hospital tank, or do I need to treat the entire community?
> >
> > Thanks
> > JOhn ><>
> >
> >
>
>

[D&M]

Got a new toy the other day, UV Sterilizer. No meds, no salt, no elevated
temp. Kills anything in the water, including ich. My only prob is I got an
underpowered one, so it doesn't work as fast.

"John Lange" > wrote in
message t...
> I salted the tank 2 cups of salt in 120g, but I cannot raise the temp.
Salt
> didn't help after a week. I am now trying mel green, no carbon, lights
out.
>
> Hope for the best. It's the bait fish that are exhibiting the ich, one of
> the blue gills has a few spots, my biggest concern is the Muskie, he is
> growing like crazy and my customers will be crushed.
>
> JOhn ><>
>
> "D&M" > wrote in message
> ...
> > From my last experiences.... one fish has it, the entire tank is
infested.
> > But, also from past experience, if the tank is established, fish are
> healthy
> > and not stressed, they can fend off the ich without meds. Only exception
> for
> > me has been clown loaches, they always get it. I've had it twice now in
my
> > tank in the last 2 months, I just salted and raised the temp. Cleared up
> on
> > it's own without any probs. Some of the fish in the tank may flash like
> > crazy, but never contract it. It takes about 1-2 weeks for it to visibly
> > clear out with elevated temps and salt.
> > Then there's the other method, first sign of ich, dose the tank with mel
> > green, or whatever else til it disappears. Every time I treat the tank
> with
> > meds, I lose fish. Since I stopped treating, I haven't lost one.
> >
> >
> > "John Lange" > wrote in
> > message t...
> > > Is ICH and individual fish's disease or if one has it, the entire tank
> has
> > > been infected with it? Should I remove this individual and treat it
in
> a
> > > hospital tank, or do I need to treat the entire community?
> > >
> > > Thanks
> > > JOhn ><>
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

[Flash Wilson]

On Wed, 07 Jan 2004 02:28:24 GMT, John Lange
> wrote:
>Is ICH and individual fish's disease or if one has it, the entire tank has
>been infected with it? Should I remove this individual and treat it in a
>hospital tank, or do I need to treat the entire community?

Treat the whole tank, but also consider why it arose.

Ich is one of those things that is supposed to be always present,
I think the cyst-stage is always present in the tank? but it only
really manages to cause problems in fish which are vulnerable
for another reason, perhaps they are stressed, have just moved
into the tank or have water quality issues?

Anyway as well as buying and using a proprietary Ich cure I would
always check water parameters and so on, and try to work out why
the fish has chosen here and now to get sick, in case there is an
underlying reason that needs addressing too.

Good luck!


--
Flash Wilson
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Bother. Must not drink tequila before midnight on a weeknight.

[Dick]

I received a shipment of 7 Clown Loaches. I didn't watch closely and
put them in my 75 gallon community tank. I treated the tank, but
wasn't getting anywhere. When I realized the ich was not spreading to
other species and reached a point of giving up on treatment, I then
also noticed that 2 of the 7 had no more ich spots. I disposed of the
5 infected Clowns, quit medication of the tank and the "good" two are
live and healthy joined by 7 more sent by the fish on line store to
replace the sick Clowns.

So, I conclude ich spreads mainly by species. I have had ich in tanks
before and it never has effected all species. I have read that Clown
Loaches are more likely to get ich than other species, but I believe
Black Mollies are also susceptible.

On Wed, 07 Jan 2004 02:28:24 GMT, "John Lange"
> wrote:

>Is ICH and individual fish's disease or if one has it, the entire tank has
>been infected with it? Should I remove this individual and treat it in a
>hospital tank, or do I need to treat the entire community?
>
>Thanks
>JOhn ><>
>

[TYNK 7]

Snipped
>Subject: Re: Is ICH and individual's disease?
>From: Dick
>Date: 1/8/2004 5:15 AM Central Standard Time
>Message-id: >

>realized the ich was not spreading to
>other species and reached a point of giving up on treatment, I then
>also noticed that 2 of the 7 had no more ich spots. I disposed of the
>5 infected Clowns

You "disposed" the infected Clowns?
Were they dead or did you euthanize them because they had Ich?
Clowns are treatable, you just need to know which Ich med to use on them.
I certainly hope you didn't toss out live fish.

[Dick]

Yep, I did the unthinkable. I slam them against the toilet bowl
before flushing. Hard to do, but I had only a 75 gallon tank at the
time. I have to do all my shopping by internet. I was concerned that
the ich would spread to the other fish. I think its known as triage.

Whatever it is called, it was hard for me to do, but then it was hard
to look at these weakened fish covered with spots and not feel sorry
for them and concerned that the ich might spread.



On 08 Jan 2004 15:53:18 GMT, (TYNK 7) wrote:

>Snipped
>>Subject: Re: Is ICH and individual's disease?
>>From: Dick
>>Date: 1/8/2004 5:15 AM Central Standard Time
>>Message-id: >
>
>>realized the ich was not spreading to
>>other species and reached a point of giving up on treatment, I then
>>also noticed that 2 of the 7 had no more ich spots. I disposed of the
>>5 infected Clowns
>
>You "disposed" the infected Clowns?
>Were they dead or did you euthanize them because they had Ich?
>Clowns are treatable, you just need to know which Ich med to use on them.
>I certainly hope you didn't toss out live fish.

[Nemo]

> wrote:
> >Is ICH and individual fish's disease or if one has it, the entire tank
has
> >been infected with it? Should I remove this individual and treat it in a
> >hospital tank, or do I need to treat the entire community?

Went home last night to find ich on one platy in the tank. She seems to be
the only one infected. I have 1 other adult female and two juvenile platys
in the tank, in addition to 6 neons and 5 ghost shrimps.

I quickly setup a make shift hospital tank in a bucket (used Cycle for
bacterial seed), moved the infected platy to it and applied medication +
salt + temperature + lots of circulation + lots of aireation. I'll keep an
eye on the ammonia but I think Cycle will keep it in check in the short
term.

I'll let you know what happens next.

[RedForeman ©®]

Why seperate the infected fish when the whole tank is infected?

--
RedForeman ©®


"Nemo" > wrote in message
...
> > wrote:
> > >Is ICH and individual fish's disease or if one has it, the entire tank
> has
> > >been infected with it? Should I remove this individual and treat it in
a
> > >hospital tank, or do I need to treat the entire community?
>
> Went home last night to find ich on one platy in the tank. She seems to be
> the only one infected. I have 1 other adult female and two juvenile platys
> in the tank, in addition to 6 neons and 5 ghost shrimps.
>
> I quickly setup a make shift hospital tank in a bucket (used Cycle for
> bacterial seed), moved the infected platy to it and applied medication +
> salt + temperature + lots of circulation + lots of aireation. I'll keep an
> eye on the ammonia but I think Cycle will keep it in check in the short
> term.
>
> I'll let you know what happens next.
>
>

[TYNK 7]

>Subject: Re: Is ICH and individual's disease?
>From: "Nemo"
>Date: 1/14/2004 8:34 AM Central Standard Time
>Message-id: >
>
> wrote:
>> >Is ICH and individual fish's disease or if one has it, the entire tank
>has
>> >been infected with it? Should I remove this individual and treat it in a
>> >hospital tank, or do I need to treat the entire community?
>
>Went home last night to find ich on one platy in the tank. She seems to be
>the only one infected. I have 1 other adult female and two juvenile platys
>in the tank, in addition to 6 neons and 5 ghost shrimps.
>
>I quickly setup a make shift hospital tank in a bucket (used Cycle for
>bacterial seed), moved the infected platy to it and applied medication +
>salt + temperature + lots of circulation + lots of aireation. I'll keep an
>eye on the ammonia but I think Cycle will keep it in check in the short
>term.
>
>I'll let you know what happens next.
>

The product "Cycle" is garbage. It's a waste of money, and doesn't do what it
claims.
It, as well as all the others, except for Bio Spira, have the wrong bacteria in
them.
Please use Bio Spira the next time, or if it's still recent...go buy some and
add it now.
I keep bugging every mom and pop shop around me, and am talking a local PetCo
into selling it too (about time!).

[Nemo]

"RedForeman ©®" > wrote in message
...
> Why seperate the infected fish when the whole tank is infected?

Hello RedForeman,

I am certainly no expert and can be corrected. But here is what I know about
Ich together with my thinking:

Ich is a parasitic disease that has a three stage life cycle:

1. A cyst in the bottom of the tank
2. A hatched free swimming spore
3. An adult parasite on the skin and fins of the infected fish

I further understand that the hatched free swimming stage is the one
targeted by medication, and that the spores must find a host within 72 hours
or die out.

Why separate the infected fish when the whole tank is infected?

It is my understanding that ich is present in most tanks and even in the
water supply. It is further my understanding that healthy fish will resist
the parasite. Only stressed/unhealthy fish will be infected.

While admitting that the tank is infected, the other fish seem to be doing
well enough to fight the disease. As such, if the free swimming spores
cannot find a host to infect, then most of their population will die out
within 3 days.

Separating the infected fish out serves two purposes (or so I'm reasoning):

1. The fish has proven itself not capable of fighting the parasite. Putting
it in 'sterile' environment will protect it from more free swimming spores
attacking it and making its infection worse.
2. It breaks the Ich cycle by preventing the introduction of the new cysts
(produced by the adults on the infected fish) from re-entering the tank; I
will dispose of the hospital tank water after the treatment period.

The addition of salt / heat / medication in the hospital tank should help
(in my reasoning) create a "sterile" environment that will preclude
worsening of the infected fish's condition. The circulation and acieration
should help reduce the osmosis stresses in the infected fish.

Having said all of this, I must admit that I am only guessing at this stage.
Corrections / comments / additions are most welcome.

[RedForeman ©®]

"Nemo" > wrote in message
> "RedForeman ©®" > wrote in message
> > Why seperate the infected fish when the whole tank is infected?
>
> Hello RedForeman,
>
> I am certainly no expert and can be corrected. But here is what I know
about
> Ich together with my thinking:
>
> Ich is a parasitic disease that has a three stage life cycle:
>
> 1. A cyst in the bottom of the tank
> 2. A hatched free swimming spore
> 3. An adult parasite on the skin and fins of the infected fish
>
> I further understand that the hatched free swimming stage is the one
> targeted by medication, and that the spores must find a host within 72
hours
> or die out.
>
> Why separate the infected fish when the whole tank is infected?
>
> It is my understanding that ich is present in most tanks and even in the
> water supply. It is further my understanding that healthy fish will resist
> the parasite. Only stressed/unhealthy fish will be infected.
>
> While admitting that the tank is infected, the other fish seem to be doing
> well enough to fight the disease. As such, if the free swimming spores
> cannot find a host to infect, then most of their population will die out
> within 3 days.
>
> Separating the infected fish out serves two purposes (or so I'm
reasoning):
>
> 1. The fish has proven itself not capable of fighting the parasite.
Putting
> it in 'sterile' environment will protect it from more free swimming
spores
> attacking it and making its infection worse.
> 2. It breaks the Ich cycle by preventing the introduction of the new cysts
> (produced by the adults on the infected fish) from re-entering the tank; I
> will dispose of the hospital tank water after the treatment period.
>
> The addition of salt / heat / medication in the hospital tank should help
> (in my reasoning) create a "sterile" environment that will preclude
> worsening of the infected fish's condition. The circulation and acieration
> should help reduce the osmosis stresses in the infected fish.
>
> Having said all of this, I must admit that I am only guessing at this
stage.
> Corrections / comments / additions are most welcome.

Sounds good to me!!!

I've only been told by several people, one was a breeder, other was a
trusted source, that the seperation wasn't necessary... That being said, you
make a very valid point of one fish not being able to fight it off... and my
only experience was with a betta one time and a trio of clown loaches the
other time. Each instance, they were treated as a whole with perfect
results, so I only asked to see what your approach is, and as I've said
before, 'whatever works for you'...

I'm SO far from being an expert, I'm learning something everyday....

--
RedForeman ©®

[Nemo]

"TYNK 7" > wrote in message
...
> The product "Cycle" is garbage. It's a waste of money, and doesn't do what
it
> claims.
> It, as well as all the others, except for Bio Spira, have the wrong
bacteria in
> them.
> Please use Bio Spira the next time, or if it's still recent...go buy some
and
> add it now.
> I keep bugging every mom and pop shop around me, and am talking a local
PetCo
> into selling it too (about time!).

I agree! I originally used "Cycle" to help speed up the cycling of my tank.
It did not do the job. What it did is fool me into believing that my tank
has cycled, only to see a huge nitrite spike after I have added few platys.
But, I never did see the ammonia spike - I may have missed it but I doubt
it.

What this suggests to me, and this is consistent with what I have read about
these products is that they supply only Nitrasomonas bacteria. These are
ammonia reducing bacteria and will do nothing for nitrite. The nitrite
converting bacteria, Nitrobacter, is absent. This is why the product masks
the ammonia spike (or delays it at the very least) fooling people to believe
that their tanks have cycled in 24/48 hours when in fact the nitrite cycle
has not yet begun.

However, if Cycle does indeed supply Nitrasomonas, it take care of the
ammonia in the short term. Hopefully, the treatment duration will be
transient enough to preclude nitrite buildup. If I detect ammonia or nitrite
in the hospital water, I figure I can do large water changes (heck, it is
even possible to do 100% water changes).

Does this make sense?

[Harry Muscle]

"Nemo" > wrote in message
...
> n.pleasenotme.com> wrote:
> > >Is ICH and individual fish's disease or if one has it, the entire tank
> has
> > >been infected with it? Should I remove this individual and treat it in
a
> > >hospital tank, or do I need to treat the entire community?
>
> Went home last night to find ich on one platy in the tank. She seems to be
> the only one infected. I have 1 other adult female and two juvenile platys
> in the tank, in addition to 6 neons and 5 ghost shrimps.
>
> I quickly setup a make shift hospital tank in a bucket (used Cycle for
> bacterial seed), moved the infected platy to it and applied medication +
> salt + temperature + lots of circulation + lots of aireation. I'll keep an
> eye on the ammonia but I think Cycle will keep it in check in the short
> term.
>
> I'll let you know what happens next.
>
>

I've also heard the Amquel can help out with reducing the toxicity of
ammonia. Apparently it's used when bagging fish for a long trip.

Harry




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[Dick]

Great summary. There are many diseases which only seem to attack one
fish. I like to remove that fish to observe and treat. I believe
that the source of the fish's problem is still in the tank, but the
other fish are able to live with it. A healthy tank is the best
preventative to ill fish, but not a guarantee.

We all are exposed to "cold" stuff, but not all of us get colds.

On Wed, 14 Jan 2004 16:24:32 -0500, "Nemo" > wrote:

>"RedForeman ©®" > wrote in message
...
>> Why seperate the infected fish when the whole tank is infected?
>
>Hello RedForeman,
>
>I am certainly no expert and can be corrected. But here is what I know about
>Ich together with my thinking:
>
>Ich is a parasitic disease that has a three stage life cycle:
>
>1. A cyst in the bottom of the tank
>2. A hatched free swimming spore
>3. An adult parasite on the skin and fins of the infected fish
>
>I further understand that the hatched free swimming stage is the one
>targeted by medication, and that the spores must find a host within 72 hours
>or die out.
>
>Why separate the infected fish when the whole tank is infected?
>
>It is my understanding that ich is present in most tanks and even in the
>water supply. It is further my understanding that healthy fish will resist
>the parasite. Only stressed/unhealthy fish will be infected.
>
>While admitting that the tank is infected, the other fish seem to be doing
>well enough to fight the disease. As such, if the free swimming spores
>cannot find a host to infect, then most of their population will die out
>within 3 days.
>
>Separating the infected fish out serves two purposes (or so I'm reasoning):
>
>1. The fish has proven itself not capable of fighting the parasite. Putting
>it in 'sterile' environment will protect it from more free swimming spores
>attacking it and making its infection worse.
>2. It breaks the Ich cycle by preventing the introduction of the new cysts
>(produced by the adults on the infected fish) from re-entering the tank; I
>will dispose of the hospital tank water after the treatment period.
>
>The addition of salt / heat / medication in the hospital tank should help
>(in my reasoning) create a "sterile" environment that will preclude
>worsening of the infected fish's condition. The circulation and acieration
>should help reduce the osmosis stresses in the infected fish.
>
>Having said all of this, I must admit that I am only guessing at this stage.
>Corrections / comments / additions are most welcome.
>

[Dick]

On Wed, 14 Jan 2004 16:37:44 -0500, "RedForeman ©®"
> wrote:

>"Nemo" > wrote in message
>> "RedForeman ©®" > wrote in message
>> > Why seperate the infected fish when the whole tank is infected?
>>
>> Hello RedForeman,
>>
>> I am certainly no expert and can be corrected. But here is what I know
>about
>> Ich together with my thinking:
>>
>> Ich is a parasitic disease that has a three stage life cycle:
>>
>> 1. A cyst in the bottom of the tank
>> 2. A hatched free swimming spore
>> 3. An adult parasite on the skin and fins of the infected fish
>>
>> I further understand that the hatched free swimming stage is the one
>> targeted by medication, and that the spores must find a host within 72
>hours
>> or die out.
>>
>> Why separate the infected fish when the whole tank is infected?
>>
>> It is my understanding that ich is present in most tanks and even in the
>> water supply. It is further my understanding that healthy fish will resist
>> the parasite. Only stressed/unhealthy fish will be infected.
>>
>> While admitting that the tank is infected, the other fish seem to be doing
>> well enough to fight the disease. As such, if the free swimming spores
>> cannot find a host to infect, then most of their population will die out
>> within 3 days.
>>
>> Separating the infected fish out serves two purposes (or so I'm
>reasoning):
>>
>> 1. The fish has proven itself not capable of fighting the parasite.
>Putting
>> it in 'sterile' environment will protect it from more free swimming
>spores
>> attacking it and making its infection worse.
>> 2. It breaks the Ich cycle by preventing the introduction of the new cysts
>> (produced by the adults on the infected fish) from re-entering the tank; I
>> will dispose of the hospital tank water after the treatment period.
>>
>> The addition of salt / heat / medication in the hospital tank should help
>> (in my reasoning) create a "sterile" environment that will preclude
>> worsening of the infected fish's condition. The circulation and acieration
>> should help reduce the osmosis stresses in the infected fish.
>>
>> Having said all of this, I must admit that I am only guessing at this
>stage.
>> Corrections / comments / additions are most welcome.
>
>Sounds good to me!!!
>
>I've only been told by several people, one was a breeder, other was a
>trusted source, that the seperation wasn't necessary... That being said, you
>make a very valid point of one fish not being able to fight it off... and my
>only experience was with a betta one time and a trio of clown loaches the
>other time. Each instance, they were treated as a whole with perfect
>results, so I only asked to see what your approach is, and as I've said
>before, 'whatever works for you'...
>
>I'm SO far from being an expert, I'm learning something everyday....


I am cautious about experts. They form fixed opinions and find ways
to justify them. I like to hear of the experiences of others and then
pick those ideas which fit my prejudices and situation. I would hope
we all are learning, incident by incident.

Treating ich, I have tried various medicines, covering the tank for 3
days, raising the temperature, adding salt, removing the sick fish and
can't at this moment say how the two outbreaks finally ended. I think
well of Rid Ich, but it didn't work in one case involving some new
Clown Loaches that I received (by mail). I stopped treatment after 20
days, removed 5 of the most infected and then the 2 I left in the tank
healed and none of my other fish in a 75 gallon community tank, got
ich. This same tank got ich several months earlier. Rid Ich did a
good job in 10 days.

What will I do the next time, well first, I will pray there is not a
next time.

[RedForeman ©®]

I've had two instances, both came out ok so I'll probably use my method in
the future, but will take anyone's experiences to heart

http://www.skepticalaquarist.com/docs/health/ich.shtml is a good article...

--
RedForeman ©®


"Dick" > wrote in message
...
> On Wed, 14 Jan 2004 16:37:44 -0500, "RedForeman ©®"
> > wrote:
>
> >"Nemo" > wrote in message
> >> "RedForeman ©®" > wrote in message
> >> > Why seperate the infected fish when the whole tank is infected?
> >>
> >> Hello RedForeman,
> >>
> >> I am certainly no expert and can be corrected. But here is what I know
> >about
> >> Ich together with my thinking:
> >>
> >> Ich is a parasitic disease that has a three stage life cycle:
> >>
> >> 1. A cyst in the bottom of the tank
> >> 2. A hatched free swimming spore
> >> 3. An adult parasite on the skin and fins of the infected fish
> >>
> >> I further understand that the hatched free swimming stage is the one
> >> targeted by medication, and that the spores must find a host within 72
> >hours
> >> or die out.
> >>
> >> Why separate the infected fish when the whole tank is infected?
> >>
> >> It is my understanding that ich is present in most tanks and even in
the
> >> water supply. It is further my understanding that healthy fish will
resist
> >> the parasite. Only stressed/unhealthy fish will be infected.
> >>
> >> While admitting that the tank is infected, the other fish seem to be
doing
> >> well enough to fight the disease. As such, if the free swimming spores
> >> cannot find a host to infect, then most of their population will die
out
> >> within 3 days.
> >>
> >> Separating the infected fish out serves two purposes (or so I'm
> >reasoning):
> >>
> >> 1. The fish has proven itself not capable of fighting the parasite.
> >Putting
> >> it in 'sterile' environment will protect it from more free swimming
> >spores
> >> attacking it and making its infection worse.
> >> 2. It breaks the Ich cycle by preventing the introduction of the new
cysts
> >> (produced by the adults on the infected fish) from re-entering the
tank; I
> >> will dispose of the hospital tank water after the treatment period.
> >>
> >> The addition of salt / heat / medication in the hospital tank should
help
> >> (in my reasoning) create a "sterile" environment that will preclude
> >> worsening of the infected fish's condition. The circulation and
acieration
> >> should help reduce the osmosis stresses in the infected fish.
> >>
> >> Having said all of this, I must admit that I am only guessing at this
> >stage.
> >> Corrections / comments / additions are most welcome.
> >
> >Sounds good to me!!!
> >
> >I've only been told by several people, one was a breeder, other was a
> >trusted source, that the seperation wasn't necessary... That being said,
you
> >make a very valid point of one fish not being able to fight it off... and
my
> >only experience was with a betta one time and a trio of clown loaches the
> >other time. Each instance, they were treated as a whole with perfect
> >results, so I only asked to see what your approach is, and as I've said
> >before, 'whatever works for you'...
> >
> >I'm SO far from being an expert, I'm learning something everyday....
>
>
> I am cautious about experts. They form fixed opinions and find ways
> to justify them. I like to hear of the experiences of others and then
> pick those ideas which fit my prejudices and situation. I would hope
> we all are learning, incident by incident.
>
> Treating ich, I have tried various medicines, covering the tank for 3
> days, raising the temperature, adding salt, removing the sick fish and
> can't at this moment say how the two outbreaks finally ended. I think
> well of Rid Ich, but it didn't work in one case involving some new
> Clown Loaches that I received (by mail). I stopped treatment after 20
> days, removed 5 of the most infected and then the 2 I left in the tank
> healed and none of my other fish in a 75 gallon community tank, got
> ich. This same tank got ich several months earlier. Rid Ich did a
> good job in 10 days.
>
> What will I do the next time, well first, I will pray there is not a
> next time.