Salinity down to 1.009 fish started scratching

[heuerfan]

Finally got the the water to 1.009, using a calibrated refractometer. Fish seem fine at 1.015, but now that i hit 1.009 they are scratching alot more. Is this normal? I am thinking the ich is trying to grab on before they die, but thought they should automatically be dead at 1.009.

Thanks for your advice.

 

[paulamrein]

It's fine. for the most part it is assumed that the ich is uneffected while ON the fish, it is the free swimming stage that is effected by the lower salinity. Although, it has only been my brief study. Someone may have better information. None the less, your fish are fine, it's important to maintain 1.009 and hold for atleast 6 weeks, 8 is better.

 

[heuerfan]

Okay thanks for the reply, will hypo for 8 weeks.

 

[billsreef]

The ich on the fish isn't effected by the hypo. What the hypo does is prevent the ich from reproducing and thereby breaks the cycle of infection. Sometimes fish will get a bit "hyper" during hyposalinity, and that's likely what's going on with your fish. Nothing to worry about

 

[heuerfan]

Hyper for hypo...........