Keeping fish in an aquarium is a work of care and attention, where maintaining the health and environment of the fish is of utmost importance. Ich or “ichthyophthiriasis”, commonly known as “white spot disease” in fish, is a very common but contagious disease. Ich is basically a parasitic infection, which enters the body of the fish and makes them weak. As an experienced aquarium keeper, I know how to treat Ich disease of fish. Ich disease prevention is very important.
What is Ich?
Ich is caused by the protozoan parasite Ichthyophthirius multifiliis. It is a ciliate protozoan, which is a single-celled organism, also known as Ich or white spot disease. It is an external parasite that attaches to your fish’s fins, body, and gills, forming small white capsules (usually less than 1mm in diameter).
A parasite can produce 100 to 1,000 offspring. After feeding on the fish and maturing, it falls off, embeds itself in the soil or other aquarium surfaces, and rapidly replicates.
Symptoms of Ich Disease:
From my experience, the symptoms of Ich disease are visible. However, it can often be confused with other fish diseases, and when it does occur, it can be difficult to identify. So here is a complete list of symptoms to help you easily diagnose the disease:
Small white spots on the body or fins of the fish: Small crystals may appear on the body of the fish. In some cases, the spots may be larger or appear together as one large spot. The spots usually look like grains of salt.
Fin tucking: This means that your fish is constantly folding its fins against its body rather than allowing its fins to rest freely on their sides.
Loss of appetite: As soon as the disease affects the fish, it stops eating and becomes lethargic. It may move less than normal or swim erratically near the bottom of the tank.
Excessive rubbing: Your fish may rub excessively against plants or rocks in the tank to get rid of parasites or because the disease is causing irritation.
Labored breathing: If your fish is panting at the surface of the water or hovering near the tank filter, it is likely suffering from a lack of oxygen. The Ich in its gills makes it difficult for your fish to absorb oxygen from the water.
Lethargy: A fish that stops eating becomes weak and moves in a lethargic manner. There is no activity in their movement, and they may be seen lazily in the corner of the tank.
Distracted behavior: Fish often hide when they feel ill, and any change in normal behavior is often a sign of stress or disease. Your fish may hide in the plants or not be as active as usual
Causes of Ich Disease:
There are many reasons behind the occurrence of Ich disease, and it is important to know the cause to prevent and treat this type of infection. I will try to outline the reasons below:
Bad water: Ich in fish is usually caused by high levels of ammonia and nitrites in the tank or excess nitrates in the water. Ammonia and nitrites are produced by not cleaning uneaten food particles, fish waste, and decaying plant material from the aquarium, which can cause Ich.
Stressed fish: Like any other animal, fish become more susceptible to disease when they experience stress. Stress lowers the immune system, making them more susceptible to infection. There are many things that can stress your fish, including unstable water conditions, sudden changes in water temperature, unsuitable or aggressive tankmates, poor diet, and even boredom.
When adding infected fish and other material: Keep new fish or other material in separate quarantine tanks for at least two weeks before adding them to your main tank. This is because the tank from which you collect fish or other material may contain Ich disease bacteria that can be released into your main tank.
How to Treat Ich Disease of Fish
General Treatment
Ich is a very serious disease, but if you start the treatment in the early stages, it is likely to be cured. If you think your fish is suffering from Ich after observing the symptoms, take the steps below quickly:
Raise the water temperature
Raise the water temperature to 86ºF (30ºC). Gradually increase the temperature by 2ºF (1ºC) per hour until the correct temperature is reached. Maintain this temperature for at least 8-10 days. If your fish can handle temperatures higher than 86ºF (30ºC), increase the temperature to 89ºF (32ºC) for 3 to 4 days, then lower it to 86ºF (30ºC) for another 8-10 days.
Increase oxygen or aeration in the tank
Increase oxygen or aeration in the tank to improve your fish’s immune system. Since Ich inhibits the fish’s ability to breathe and absorb oxygen, increased aeration can help boost your fish’s immune system.
Use aquarium salt
Use aquarium salt to treat Ich in freshwater aquariums. Dissolve 1 teaspoon per 1 gallon of water separately in a small amount of tank water, then add the mixture to the tank. Leave the salt in the freshwater aquarium for 8-10 days. Never use medication with salt and heat, as the salt and medication can react and restrict oxygen in the tank.
Change the water daily
Do a 25% partial water change daily. Daily partial water changes can help remove some trophonts and tomatoes from the tank and add oxygen to the water. Be sure to use treated water so that excess chlorine does not stress your fish or irritate their wounds.
Use medications to treat your tank
If Ich is present, it is possible to cure it with regular treatment. If the usual remedies don’t help, try these best remedies for Ich to treat your tank (Ich-X, Rid-Ich Plus, Blue Planet White Spot Remedy, and Mardel QuickCure). These medications are readily available at your local pet store.
Always follow the directions on the medication label for the correct dosage amount, and check if it is safe to use on your fish. Do not use medication without consulting a veterinarian. Always do a water change and vacuum your gravel before administering the medication. Medicines are more effective in a clean tank without other dissolved organics or nitrates getting in the way.
- Note 1: When adding antiparasitic drugs to the tank, it is better to remove the carbon filter because it can absorb the drug.
- Note 2: After treatment, the fish may have many wounds and tissue damage, creating an ideal environment for bacterial and fungal pathogens, so you may need to treat for secondary infections.
Prevention of Ich:
Here are some preventive measures I can take to reduce the risk of Ich in the future:
Buy healthy fish: Never buy fish from a tank where any fish are showing signs of white spot disease. Before buying fish, observe each one in the store for signs of disease.
Quarantine: Quarantine all new additions, including any fish, invertebrates, and plants, for 14 to 21 days before adding them to the tank. Set up a separate small tank to monitor for disease symptoms.
Only buy plants from tanks without fish: Buy plants from tanks without fish because if you buy plants together with fish, diseases can be introduced into the new tank with the plants and may attack new fish.
Caring for fish tanks: Ammonia and nitrates build up from fish waste, leftover food, or rotting plant parts, which is why regular tank cleaning is recommended. Always check whether the filter is clean and running properly.
Keep the fish free of stress: Males can be aggressive toward other fish, which may cause the other fish to be scared or stressed, which is harmful to the fish. Therefore, while keeping fish in the aquarium, monitor the number of fish to ensure the ratio of water to fish is correct.
Water Maintenance: Regularly monitor the aquarium water for oxygen, ammonia, and nitrate levels. Do a 25% water change every week and regularly test the water and monitor the temperature.
Avoid using wet equipment in one tank in another tank: Equipment includes nets, siphons, pumps, heaters, plants—basically anything. If there is a disease in one tank, it can spread to the other tank. Dry and sterilize the equipment from one tank before using it in another.
Feed Nutritious Food: Feed your fish nutritious food that boosts their immune system.
