Treatment for Ich - Aquarium has crayfish

Question
Greetings Karen,

I am treating my 75 gallon freshwater aquarium for Ich. So far, I have used the raised temperature treatment and salt. Apparently, I did not have enough oxygen as I lost my clown pleco (I do have aeration - but must not have been enough). Clown pleco did not show any signs of sickness - no spots. I only have one fish with a white spot on his tail (a tinfoil barb) - but several fish rub up on the rocks (2 tinfoil barbs and a red tail shark -occasionally - not all the time. Silver dollar did one time). Now I am using No-Ich made by FishVet and so far, there is no change (Tinfoil barb still has the one spot on his tail - fish are still rubbing rocks). FishVet claims No-Ich to be safe for Freshwater aquarium and effective. I did do more research and found that active ingredient really is not that effective (by searching the ingredient 5-Nitroimidazoles - not product. I found more about this product on salt water forums which I had not searched previously).

Now I would like to try Kordon Ich Attack - all organic. I have read about it on their web site, but it does not say whether or not it is safe for crayfish. I have one in my aquarium. I have to special order this as it is not carried by any local fish store. Do you have any knowledge of this product? I have sent e-mail to Novalek and did not receive a response. I have been unable to find a tried and true product that works in a freshwater aquarium containing a crayfish. I have no separate aquarium to move him to (besides, I can not get him out - too many hiding places for him).

Thanks in advance for any answer you may have.

Regards,

Judy Decker

Answer
Dear Judy,
I'm sorry to hear of the trouble you have been going through with your fish.

According to Kordon's website, this is under their FAQS and the companies own words-- "The herbals (Ich Attack, Prevent Ich, and Fungus Rid) are not toxic or stressful to fishes and invertebrates" So it should be completely safe to use with your Crayfish.

The loss of your Clown pleco may have been a reaction to the salt but I'm not completely sure. I know many catfish cannot tolerate salt very well at all. So this always makes treatment difficult. Some sources say to use high temperatures as the only treatment when ich attacks sensitive scaleless fish such as loaches and catfish. Raising the temperature gradually to 86F is said to be very effective ich treatment as ich parasites usually cannot reproduce at temperatures above 85F. PLENTY of surface agitation is vital when temperatures are high. Usually it's best not to use meds with such a high temperature. Because ich medications also reduce the oxygen content of your water.

The thing I would do if this were my fish is-
* Raise the temperature to about 80-82 F (if not already)
* Use the Ich Attack medication
* Daily water changes of at least 30% ideally much more (water changes and gravel vacuumings help relieve stress on the fish and also reduce the number of parasites free-swimming in the tank and gravel)
* Treat for at least 2 weeks to be sure every last parasite is gone.

Also make sure your fish truly have ich. Sometimes I've had a fish develop a spot or two on their fin or body and it turned out to be just a site where the tissue was damaged, or with fins, where the fin ray has been bent. This won't require treatment and it heals within a few days. But the fact that all your fish are itching does raise some alarm. Sometimes fish do this on occasion. But we can never be sure if it's just an occasional itch or if it's truly a parasite problem arising. If you can, try the ich attack. Just in case. It's always the most difficult thing to diagnose fish illnesses especially when you cannot see the fish himself.

I'm sorry again about your Clown Pleco. Make sure your water conditions are good with careful testing for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate if you can. Water changes can cure almost every aquarium/fish problem and I highly recommend frequent and large changes whether your fish are truly ill or just 'off-color'.

Fortunately, your current fish are hardy and should make it through the ich outbreak if it does occur. With prompt treatment ich is the easiest of the fish diseases to cure.

I really hope this helps!
Best of luck!
Karen~