ich?

[Peg]

I have a wakin that has torn fins. He is swimming fine and eating. He is being bothered by the others. His tail fins seem to look kinked. I have used CFX in the past but they seem to be bothered by it. He does have some white spots on his tail. What else can I use? I do water changes every week and treat with declorinator, about 25%. Here are some pics not that good, but might help

[Terri]

I've looked and looked at those photo's and I can't 'see' what you are describing?

Salt is good for ICH, level doesn't have to be high but 0.3% for two weeks will nuke it along with upping your water change schedule to twice a week with a good gravel vac each time. This is the 'safer' route to follow than using other chemical treatments(formalin + mg).

[Peg]

Thanks terri
I'll try the salt. I know what kind of salt but what is the correct amount per gallon? My large indoor tank for the wakins is 80 gal. I will up the water changes as well and do the vac tonight when I get home from work. I don't take as good a pic as Ian I'll have to work on that. Little buggers never stay sill long enough :lol:

[Terri]

1 tsp per gallon = 0.1% - do this three times over three days... to get 0.3% (use a REAL measuring tsp)
A small percentage will be removed when you do a water change... this is why the salt test kit (or meter) is important - so you know where the salinity level is at and what you need to add back to keep it at 0.3%.... guess work isn't a good idea.
Be aware that your source water will have a certain salinity level of it's own.

Taking pics through glass is not easy! I know, I've tried and not many turn out,... if you turn the room lights out this will help, take the photo at an angle to lessen the flash back (sun spots).

[Peg]

Thanks Terri
One more question. I know what kind of salt and how much :grin:. So how long do I treat for ? Till I see no more sign or for so many days after all the ick is gone? Thanks for the tips on pics through glass. I'll give it a try

[Terri]

What is the temperature of the aquarium?

Typically you want to treat for 14 days. ICH life cycle has 3 stages, the spots you 'see', free swimming, and cyst. Free swimming is the only time they are effected by treatments... dependant on temp the life cycle can be 3 to 7 days. The warmer the shorter it takes. Two weeks is a safey margin, to get those that are at the cyst stage and those that are now at the 'white spot' stage once they break out and become free swimming. That is the short version :grin:

[Jackie Ramo]

Ich in theroy is easy but inpractise I've found it difficult. Gone now I think but 2 months was closer.... mind I am not the vacuum freak Terri is so have probably paid that price. Never got bad for the fish just a few salt like dots on them and as soon as the salt got down to under 0.2% back it would come. Mind dilligence would probably worked better :roll: