How Do I Get Ich Out of My Fish Tank?

Ich is a ciliated protozoan that frequently infects fish tanks. Ich found in freshwater tanks is caused by the organism Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, while Cryptocaryon irritans infects saltwater aquariums. It manifests as white spots on a fish's skin and is among the most common causes of fish deaths. With proper treatment, ich can be eradicated and fish can recover from infection.

Things You'll Need

  • Ich treatment
  • Thermometer
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Instructions

    • 1

      Raise the water temperature to 78 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 48 hours. Protozoan capsules that create new ich infestation are called tomites, and tomites cannot survive at higher temperatures.

    • 2

      Quarantine any fish that have been recently introduced into the aquarium. These fish may not have been infested yet.

    • 3

      Treat the entire tank with ich treatment. This can be purchased at pet or pond stores. Follow the package directions precisely. Over-treating for ich can be fatal to fish. Because different protozoans infect saltwater and freshwater tanks, it's important to choose a treatment that is designed for your tank's water. Ich treatments that combine malachite and formalin are ideal for freshwater fish, and treatments designed for saltwater fish should contain copper.

    • 4

      Return quarantined fish to the tank after treatment.

    • 5

      Wait several days for results. The ich treatment does not kill the ich already living on fish. Instead, this ich will fall off as a natural part of its life cycle.