HUGE PROBLEM IN TANK

Question
I have a large 75 gallon tank with a couple of different varieties of mollys, a beta, and a few tetras.  I also put a few snails and frogs in there.  My problem is that my fish keep getting ick and i don't know why.  I just realized that some of my fish are getting the first signs of ick on there tails and i am really concerned because two of my mollys are pregnant not to mention my snail just had babys so i don't know if i can find them all.  How do I treat my fish without hurting my snails, frogs, and possibly pregnant fishes babys?

Answer
Hi Chelsea,
Ick is usually never a problem in a healthy and balanced aquarium. The most common cause for the parasites to attack is when the fishes immune system is being stressed constantly by poor water quality like high ammonia levels for example or high nitrate levels. Temperature changes and temperature problems (especially too low a temperature) are also stress triggers. A good quality heater is vital for maintaining a stable temperature.

Another reason for ick to appear on your fish is introducing new fish from your petstore into the aquarium without first quarantining them in a separate tank for a few weeks. This sounds like a lot of trouble but its very helpful in preventing your whole system from being infected by a single fish that was the original carrier of the parasites (but wasn't showing symptoms yet).

Also remember that ick's life cycle includes a time when the ick disappears from the fish only to reappear not too long after. When the spots disappear, thats when the parasites have dropped down and are reproducing and multiplying by the hundreds in the aquarium. Soon new parasites will swarm up and attack the fish once more and that's when the white spots reappear.

Its very dangerous to risk treating the tank with the delicate snails and frogs. The pregnant fish will get by better than the other two creatures. I wouldn't risk keeping the frogs and snails in there with medication. I would get a cheap inexpensive smaller aquarium with a filter (and cover so the frogs and snails don't climb out) I know you mentioned your snail just had babies. That is unfortunate because its very difficult to find them all. But there is a chance that at least some will survive.

There are some ick medications that are a lot safer than others for delicate species. Here is a link to one -
http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4615+12100...

And here is another really good one -

http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4615+4616+...

There are many ick medications now available at the petstore. Most all brands are good quality. Some are stronger than others. And some medications are gentle on the fish. Keep in mind many ick medications destroy the 'biofilter' or the good bacteria in the tank and cause ammonia problems to arise. So water changes are vital for keeping the fish safe from ammonia poisoning during ick treatment.


Before starting your medication treatment. I recommend doing a big 50% water change to insure that you start with decently clean water so the medicine can work better. Raise the temperature of the aquarium by turning your heater's dial up a few notches. 82-84 F is a good temp.  

Now you can add your medication. Insure really good aeration (from your filter's return) during treatment because warmer water holds less oxygen.

Catching ick as soon as possible is key for preventing it from taking over and killing your fish.

I do hope this helps and I wish you the best!
Karen~