Loaches Online Forum

Hi all,

First post. My 26 gallon community tank, which includes 3 Botia kubotai, is ich-ed. At this point only the three loaches and a pair of bleeding heart tetras show any white spots.

After much research, I settled on Seachem Paraguard which contains malachite green, much like most other Ich medications, but, in lieu of formaldehyde, substitutes "a proprietary, synergistic blend of aldehydes, ...". Based on some things I've read I thought/hoped that perhaps the "proprietary...aldehydes" would be less tough on the fish, particularly the loaches, than the more commonly used formaldehyde/formalin.

I was all set to follow the basic prescription posted by Graeme Robson on this forum. It, and most other credible regimens I've seen, call for:

1. A large water change.

2. A dose of medication, usually Quick Cure or Rid Ich

3. A 2-4 day wait.

4. Another large water change.

5. Another dose.

That regimen to be repeated for about 12-14 days.

My question --pardon me for taking so long to get to it-- is that Seachem's directions for Paraguard say "use 5 mL (1 capful) to every 40 L (10 gallons*). Repeat daily as required as long as fish show no stress.

I was going to ignore the "repeat daily as required" and proceed as I outlined above, but thought I'd couble check.

Is their concentration lower, hence ok to add more the next day without a water change? Does it dissipate?

I'd appreciate the thoughts of anyone with any experience with this med.

Follow the label directions. Many medicines break down in just a few hours and need to be re-dosed daily.

Frequent gravel vacs will help to remove the phase of Ich that falls to the floor of the tank to breed. Re-dose the medicine right after a water change.

Raising the temperature can speed up the life cycle of the Ich, so it is cleared from the tank sooner, which shortens the length of treatment. Do not raise the temperature so much the fish are stressing from low oxygen levels, though.

Thanks for the reply. First dose was yesterday, following a thorough vaccuming and 50% water change. Raised heat from 76 to 80 degrees over the course of about 10 hours, and planning on another 4 degree increase today over the same period of time. Keeping lights off and cranking the aeration. Also added a light dose of 2 TBS of aquarium salt per the entire tank volume (26 gal)

Any thoughts on feeding during treatment? Same as usual? Less? Much less?

Thanks again.

If the fish are willing to eat, feed as usual. If they are not eating well, try flavoring their food with garlic. If this still does not tempt them, then back off on the food. Doing frequent vacuuming will remove uneaten food, but it is better not to feed at all, just small amounts for the fish that are still eating.