How low can the salinity go when treating ich?

[rdefino]

I have some say they go to 1.06 during hyposalinity to treat some strains of ich. I just figure if I 'm going through all the trouble of treating my fish maybe I should go as low as possible.

Wat do you think.

 

[paulamrein]

I wouldn't go under 1.009. Fish internal fluids has a salinity of 1.008 in which they regulate, if it's lower than that, they would have to try to take in salt like fresh water fish do, I can't say for sure they are equipped to do that. I believe it would be the same as in treating the parasites in that they take in more water in order to regulate, than they pop.

 

[shelburn61]

I dealt with a strain of ich a few months back that survived and remained infectious down to 1.009. Killed quick! Hypo is also ineffective against velvet so I'm going with Cuprimine treatment from now on. I still lower salinity to ~1.010 to help the fish conserve energy, but IMO copper as a blanket treatment is best way to guarantee your fish are pest free.

 

[jnc914]

I have used hypo=1.009 and it is very effective with Ich. You have to constantly check the salinity to ensure that it remains at 1.009 for a full 4-6 weeks. After hearing that there have been strains of ich that have survived hypo, I read quite a bit on this topic as it is often hotly debated here on RC. Japanese biologists have claimed that it is a fallacy that there are "Super strains" of ich that are not responsive to hyposalinity. ( I am trying to locate the study, as the link was provided by Wet Web Media). If the "ich" is still present after 6 weeks, it is likely not ich.

 

[cgoodman381]

Iv read 1.008-1.010 are where you want to be.