How to Treat Ich in Freshwater Fish
Ich, or White Spot, infections are caused by a parasite present in many aquariums. Ich is very temperature and salt sensitive and runs in cycles of four to 14 days, depending on the temperature of the tank. When treated properly, Ich is easy to eradicate in a tank and most fish will make a full recovery. After treatment, frequent water quality checks can help to reduce the chance of reoccurance.
Using Heat Treatment
Heat treatment takes advantage of the lower heat tolerance of the Ich parasite and speeds up the lifecycle. This provides a method of treatment that can take as little as four days to safely complete. However, always check the heat tolerance of your fish and live plants before attempting to determine if the fish should be held in a separate tank during the process.
Things You Will Need:
- Tank heater
- Second tank for quarantining of live plants and fish (Optional)
- Check water in tank for appropriate ammonia levels. If ammonia levels are high, treat tank water with an ammonia neutralizer prior to treating for Ich.
- Increase aerator stone and power head flow.
- Raise the tank’s water temperature to 82 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit. If fish are still present within the tank, raise the temperature gradually over the course of a day to prevent added stress on the fish. When the Ich cyst drops and attempts to find a new host fish, the temperature of the water will inhibit growth and kill existing Ich parasites.
- Allow the tank to sit at this temperature for four days. Check your fish for remaining Ich infections. If still present, continue heating for an additional four days.
- If fish were quarantined, return fish to primary tank and treat quarantine tank with same method.
Using Salt
Salt treatment is effective; however, it will increase the stress levels of your fish. While most fish will have a higher salt tolerance than the Ich parasites, some fish are more sensitive than others. When attempting a salt treatment, consult with your local fish supplier for specific information regarding the fish species your tank holds. Plants are especially susceptible to salinity increases and will likely need to be relocated to a secondary tank until treatment is complete.
Things You Will Need:
- Aquarium salt
- Second tank for quarantining of live plants and fish (Optional)
- Large Pitcher capable of holding one or more gallons of water
- Stirring utensil
- Hydrometer
- Calculate the salt required to raise your tank to a specific gravity of 1.003. The amount of salt needed may vary based on salt manufacturer and tank size.
- Mix required salt amounts using water from your tank in a large pitcher.
- Stir until the water appears clear.
- Increase power head and aerator flow.
- Add the salt water to the tank and allow four days for the water to circulate and the Ich to be killed.
- Test salinity of water with hydrometer to ensure safe levels for your fish and plants.
- Return fish to tank if levels are within tolerance for your species.
Using Chemical Treatments
While more expensive than other options, many commercial treatments are available. The most reliable treatments use Formalin or Malachite Green. While these are the safest for most fish and plant species, the treatment may take as long as two weeks. Following exact dosing instructions is critical to achieving results.