Protect Your Goldfish From Ich Disease
August 17, 2022
Goldfish make for wonderful pets. They are easy to care for, fun and colourful to watch and friendly with their owners. Under the right conditions, they will thrive on average for up to five years.
A popular first-time pet for young children, goldfish can survive through just about anything, but some do fall sick sometimes. Anyone who has owned a goldfish has more than likely encountered the goldfish disease called Ich (Ick).
What is Goldfish Ich Disease?
Short for Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, Ich is a parasitic infection common among all aquarium fish. It is a nasty fish disease that spreads fast. Infected fish will experience shortness of breath, lethargy and eventually death.
The parasite burrows through the skin of the fish, which causes white spots to appear on the body and fins of the fish. Each parasite can produce thousands of juvenile parasites every four days. When hatched, they are released into the aquarium water ready to latch onto another host or in this case, other fish.
Common Causes of Goldfish Ich
Also known as “white spot disease”, Ich is caused by these common factors:
- Introducing new fish into the tank without quarantining them first
- A sudden drop in water temperature
- 24 to 26 degrees Celsius (75-79 degrees Fahrenheit) is the ideal temperature for these parasites to breed
- Adding water to the tank from a questionable source, such as a pet store
- Bringing new plants into the aquarium
- Poor water quality
How To Get Rid of Ich Disease
Water Treatment Options - found at your local pet store, these are available in natural and stronger variations. Following the manufacturer’s directions, add the treatment to the water to quickly kill off the parasites and stop them from spreading.
Increase Water Temperature - to kill off any parasites and shorten their breeding cycle. With an aquarium heater, gradually increase the temperature of the water to 27 degrees Celsius or 80 degrees Fahrenheit over the course of several days.
Add Non-Iodized Aquarium Salt - add 1 teaspoon of salt for each gallon of water every 12 hours to a concentration of 0.3%. Repeat three times, gradually decreasing the added salt each time the tank water is refreshed.
To avoid an infection of Ich Disease in your goldfish tank, ensure the aquarium water is kept clean, filtered and aerated. Maintain a consistent water temperature at all times and practice safe protocols when introducing new plants or fish into your aquarium.