Im pretty sure my one fish has ich. He is my first fish and I just wanted to buy a cheap first fish just incase this happened. He has some white spots on his fins and one right above one of his eye. All together only like 5-6 spots. He seems to act normal and he eats perfect but he does itch himself on rocks a little. So I'm wondering If I can just take him out and let the tank sit for a weeks and let the ich die off and then ill be safe to add more fish?
Fish has ich
- Thread starter Curtis72
- Start date
Crazy fish eye
New member
Would have to be 8 weeks no fish to be sure ick is gone.
geaux xman
New member
i think you misread that. what type of fish is it?
the tank needs to be without fish at minimum 6 weeks. preferably 8-10 weeks for near 100% effectiveness.
if you dont intend on QT-ing future fish, might as well just continue feeding the fish well and try to keep it stress free.
the tank needs to be without fish at minimum 6 weeks. preferably 8-10 weeks for near 100% effectiveness.
if you dont intend on QT-ing future fish, might as well just continue feeding the fish well and try to keep it stress free.
Exactly.
Tin_Whistler
Mayor of Podunk
24 hours during that part of their lifecycle, not just 24 hours with no fish.
right.
Not sure how big your DT is, but if you are going to QT your damsel and leave your tank fallow for 6+ weeks, I would also get other fishes you like to keep and QT those at the same time along with your damsel (unless you like to QT one fish at a time before adding to your DT). But do keep in mind your QT cycle and bio load.
MrTuskfish
Team RC
I'd suggest you buy a cheap QT rather than a cheap fish. What if this damsel was introduced after your tank was full of nice fish? The ich came from the LFS, not your newly set up tank.
Ok thank you makes sense now. I have a 33 gallon cube and could low ph cause ich? mines been low between 7.8-8.0. hard to tell the color. or does it have be really low to cause ich? Yes next time I go to my lfs I will buy a like a 10 gallon qt tank. With the qt tank I can use my DT tank water correct? Do I need any type of filter or media in the tank? Powerhead? rock? etc.
Tin_Whistler
Mayor of Podunk
Ich is a parasite, so low ph or any other water issues doesn’t cause ich at all. Poor water conditions could certainly lead to the fish being stressed/unhealthy, which in turn would allow the ich to gain a stronger foothold on the fish.
QT tank size depends on what fish you have, and likely what fish you intend on getting in the future.
I think using the DT water is easier on the fishes acclimation into the QT tank, though there’s certainly folks who prefer using new water. After the initial fill up though you’ll only want to add new water to the tank, no more using anything from/for the man tank in the QT tank.
You’ll want to use a hob filter, and if you’re using copper make sure you don’t have carbon in the filter as it will pull the medication out of the water. A small powerhead/waterpump would certainly be nice to add circulation. Also, test the QT tank water often, and do water changes frequently to make sure the ammonia/nitrite levels don’t get out of hand. Ammonia will kill the fish faster than the ich will.
In the future put all fish into the quarantine tank for several weeks to avoid ich, or other worse problems in the main tank. It’s not too bad for you to have to do it with one fish, if you have many it’d make it far more difficult.
Edit> oh, and no. Ich will only effect you fish, it is posible for the dormant stages of ich to be hanging out on corals/liverock, though they aren't a host for them and they can't sustain the parasite. Inverts, ie snails, shrimp, anemones, are also safe. though putting anything wet through a QT process certainly isn't a bad idea.
QT tank size depends on what fish you have, and likely what fish you intend on getting in the future.
I think using the DT water is easier on the fishes acclimation into the QT tank, though there’s certainly folks who prefer using new water. After the initial fill up though you’ll only want to add new water to the tank, no more using anything from/for the man tank in the QT tank.
You’ll want to use a hob filter, and if you’re using copper make sure you don’t have carbon in the filter as it will pull the medication out of the water. A small powerhead/waterpump would certainly be nice to add circulation. Also, test the QT tank water often, and do water changes frequently to make sure the ammonia/nitrite levels don’t get out of hand. Ammonia will kill the fish faster than the ich will.
In the future put all fish into the quarantine tank for several weeks to avoid ich, or other worse problems in the main tank. It’s not too bad for you to have to do it with one fish, if you have many it’d make it far more difficult.
Edit> oh, and no. Ich will only effect you fish, it is posible for the dormant stages of ich to be hanging out on corals/liverock, though they aren't a host for them and they can't sustain the parasite. Inverts, ie snails, shrimp, anemones, are also safe. though putting anything wet through a QT process certainly isn't a bad idea.
Thank you sir! Good tips and helped me out a lot. Yes for now I will qt fish. I only plan on having a pair of clowns in my tank. I thinks its always good to have an extra tank laying around anyways
Does the ich affect corals at all? and when I take the damsel out can I put corals in if it doesn't hurt them?
Does the ich affect corals at all? and when I take the damsel out can I put corals in if it doesn't hurt them?
Tin_Whistler
Mayor of Podunk
No, ich don't attack or effect anything but fish.
However, it is possible for the parasite to be on them during their life cycle when they aren't on the fish. The coral, or liverock can't host them, but that doesn't mean they're not inadvertently just sitting there.
However, it is possible for the parasite to be on them during their life cycle when they aren't on the fish. The coral, or liverock can't host them, but that doesn't mean they're not inadvertently just sitting there.
Tin_Whistler
Mayor of Podunk
I’m not as familiar with corals as I am with fish, however you can certainly add them.
The low PH you have may cause issues for your corals though, hoping somebody more knowledgeable than me chimes in on that.
That being said though corals can host their own parasites, and I’d recommend checking and treating corals for those before placing them into your tank as well. There’s no problems with adding the corals during your 8-10 week fallow period though. It’ll have no effect on the ich.
The low PH you have may cause issues for your corals though, hoping somebody more knowledgeable than me chimes in on that.
That being said though corals can host their own parasites, and I’d recommend checking and treating corals for those before placing them into your tank as well. There’s no problems with adding the corals during your 8-10 week fallow period though. It’ll have no effect on the ich.
MrTuskfish
Team RC
Alright thank you sir. you have been major help. I will read up on some coral qt and stuff or hopefully someone else will chime in and help me out
Do you mean put corals in your QT while the fish are also there?
Well I've heard back and fourth on qt corals. I know people do dip them but don't qt them for like 8 weeks. Least what I've read. Im talking about just putting them in the dt while the dt sits for 8 weeks due to the ich and while I qt the clowns as well. I will just get rid of the damsel probably. I only really plan on keeping softies. How do you personally qt corals?
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