Ick

So sure enough, I did what I warned myself not to do. I over did it trying to treat the high nitrates and fish flashing in my 55 (see old post). I actually ended up moving the gymnogeophagus to another tank and left the 55 empty for a couple of weeks (save for a school of Buenos Aires tetras). The nitrates weren't going down fast enough and the ammonia spiked despite using Prime on the tap water.

After everything seemed to be back to normal, I moved my Green Terror pair to the 55. I want to try to get them to spawn in there. They were doing fine, but the other day I came home and found them covered in white spots. It's been a while since I've had a fish with ick (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis), but I recognized my old nemesis right away.

I was out of ick medicine, so I picked up some Marineland Ick Remedy at the store. I put the first dose in on day one, by day two the white spots were gone on the fish and they were back to looking normal. I did a water change this morning (day three) and put in a second dose to make sure to get it all.

If you have to use an ick remedy just be careful not to get any of it on your hands. They're all the same and come with the same blue dye that doesn't come off easy. I'm always careless with it and end up looking like I have some rash of smufititis, or something.

Also, the water will turn blue for a while. The instructions will warn you that it can stain objects in the tank, including the sealant. It's never been that noticeable though in my experience.

And be sure to do your water changes!

So far, so good. This is the male now minus the white spots. I've lost fish to ick before, so I know the key is to get on it right away and stick with the treatment.