How to Cure Ich on African Cichlids

Ich is caused by the ichthyophthirius multifillis protozoan, which appears on the body and fins of fishes as small pimples resembling grains of salt. Other symptoms of ich are "flashing," or rubbing against the side of the tank, labored breathing, and lowered fins. Ich often leads to bacterial and fungal infections, and can be fatal if left untreated. By the time you see the spots on your African cichlids, the ich protozoan is mid-life cycle, and has already become a trophont; because it has burrowed under your fish's mucus coating, trophonts are immune to medications. In its two other stages, the tomont stage and thermont stage, the ich protozoan is off the fish and is vulnerable to treatment. You can treat ich with various chemicals, but some are toxic to snails and plants, and are not well tolerated by scaleless fishes such as loaches and catfish. Fortunately, you can effectively treat your African cichlids for ich without resorting to chemicals.

Things You'll Need

  • Underwater heater with reliable thermostat
  • Aquarium thermometer
  • Aquarium salt
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Instructions

    • 1

      Raise the temperature in the tank one degree per hour until it reaches 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the temperature rises, the ich life cycle runs its course within four days, making it easier to treat.

    • 2

      Angle the filter powerheads towards the surface to maintain strong continuous surface agitation, and lower the water level slightly to benefit more from the filter return. Water holds less oxygen at higher temperatures, so you have to ensure sufficient aeration.

    • 3

      Monitor your African cichlids closely for signs of stress, other than what they are already undergoing from the ich. If you observe this, slowly bring the temperature back down.

    • 4

      Measure 2 tablespoons of aquarium salt for every 5 gallons of water in the tank.

    • 5

      Add the salt to the tank slowly over the next 24 to 48 hours by dissolving it in a small amount of tank water first, then introducing the solution bit by bit.

    • 6

      Monitor your fish to see if their distress increases; if so, perform an immediate water change.

    • 7

      Change about 50 percent of the water daily, salting the replacement water as well.

    • 8

      Maintain the salt bath for 10 days, or at least for three days after the symptoms subside.

    • 9

      Perform several large water changes using dechlorinated, unsalted water to retun tank to normal. Slowly lower the water temperature to normal.

    • 10

      Quarantine any new fish for 14 to 21 days to prevent the re-introduction of ich. Use separate nets for each tank, and let nets dry completely betwen uses. Ich can not survive being dried out. Never buy plants from tanks with fish in them. If you have reason to believe the plant has been in a tank with fish recently, quarantine the plant for a week.