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Ich-type white spots

Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 7:42 am
by Hufferpuffer
My Fahaka has white spots on her back that I thought were Ich. However, when I took a photo in to my local MaIdenhead Aquatics they thought the spots were too large and were some other infection. I have been given Interpet Anti Crustacean Parasite treatment (active ingredient Sodium Chloride 12,835mg/100ml).

Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0, pH 8.0, Nitrate 40. He's 4 years old and has always lived in this area with our chalky, high Nitrate water. He is in a 400l aquarium and is about 7 inches long.

He moved to us about 2 months ago. After a shaky week or so he settled in and has been eating well, is active and responsive and enjoying his new home.

He gets very stressed with water changes so we monitor the levels and do a 30% change every 2-3 weeks. We feed cockles and mussles daily or every other day and feeder shrimp every 1-2 weeks. He also gets occasional snails. I add Ferropol plant food weekly.

The tank was cycled for about 3 months with my Tiger Barbs (Who now have a tank all to themselves because they're such little thugs!).

His appetite is unchanged. He is darting and rubbing against the Bogwood, obviously irritated by whatever it is. He is bright and happy most of the time but does turn black and quiet occasionally for no apparent reason so I assume it's because of the spots. The spots are raised and look like pustules. He has about a dozen. I first noticed it Thursday and he hasn't any new ones since then. I will post a couple of photos.

Can anyone tell me what this is, whether the treatment I have will work, whether it will harm him and therefore need a lower dose. Any and all information will be gratefully received. Thank you for reading.

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Re: Ich-type white spots

Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 8:03 am
by Hufferpuffer
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Re: Ich-type white spots

Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 9:34 am
by scpion
my red eye puffer have something simillar too. Small grains but seems too big to be ich.. The strange thing is that it just come and go.. The other red eye sharing the tank never got infected at all. Its definitely not sand as the substrate is not sand and it last for a few days b4 dissapearing by itself..

Re: Ich-type white spots

Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 9:46 am
by bertie 83
That is ich if I am not mistaken.

Re: Ich-type white spots

Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 12:32 pm
by Pufferpunk
Looks like ich to me. Please be very careful using ANY meds on all for this! viewtopic.php?f=3&t=28113

2 days ago, my new parrot cichlid was covered in ich. Doing nothing more than adding vitamin C to er tank & 2 days later, I barely see any spots.

Re: Ich-type white spots

Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 1:45 pm
by Hufferpuffer
Yes I thought it was ich but as I haven't seen it in the flesh before I wanted confirmation. Thanks for the link...I had already read the sticky and planned on using that method should you confirm my suspicions.

Vitamin C? Is it worth trying that for my Fahaka? I would like to try the gentlest option first. As she doesn't have a severe outbreak I think I could have time to try something gentler first. How much vitamin c should I add? What process? Many thanks.

Re: Ich-type white spots

Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 2:43 pm
by Pufferpunk
I am adding 1 tsp, 2x/day to my 90g:
http://www.iherb.com/NutriBiotic-Sodium ... 10178?at=0
$10 off 1st time order with: LUL789 code. Free shipping at $20 (2 bottles)

Re: Ich-type white spots

Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 3:53 pm
by bertie 83
It's primarily a gill parasite, they only move to the skin when the gills are full.... So the infestation is definately established

Re: Ich-type white spots

Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 4:28 pm
by Hufferpuffer
Thanks bertie. The spots are on her back and not near his gills so I hadn't made that connection. I will start treatment.

Re: Ich-type white spots

Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 4:34 pm
by bertie 83
Don't throw out what pp said. It may well work. Maybe combine vc with heat and salt. Hit it doubly hard

Re: Ich-type white spots

Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 4:37 pm
by Pufferpunk
+1

Re: Ich-type white spots

Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 4:41 pm
by bertie 83
I may get some vc myself. Pp could you run off an article on dosage and uses etc

Re: Ich-type white spots

Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 4:45 pm
by Pufferpunk
I'm just dosing the same as in my reef tank:
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=30163

Re: Ich-type white spots

Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 12:52 pm
by Hufferpuffer
Well I've started treatment and so far it's going ok. He's coping with the heat and salt and is his usual cheeky self. The first spots have burst but there are new ones. So one life cycle down, two to go! LOL

I'm only doing the salt and heat as the vit c hasn't arrived yet and didn't want to delay.

Thanks everyone for your advice and help. Fingers crossed we're on our way to clearing this up.

Re: Ich-type white spots

Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 2:59 pm
by bertie 83
Remember to gravel vac daily and do large waterchanges replacing lost salt. Also keep an eye on his breathing, adding an extra airstone wouldn't hurt either. Keep up the good work and good luck.