Topic: will ich cure hurt my snail?

[Scorpio]

I added some ottos to my tank last weekend and I think one may have ich.  There's only one spot on it's dorsal, and so far no one else shows any signs, so I'm not panicked, yet.  I add salt to my water  as a precautionary thing on a regular basis, so I probably don't want to go adding any more.  I just wondered, if I have to treat the tank,  how will the medication effect the snail?  I have Quick Cure on hand, but can pick up something else if needed.

[jennybean]

snails aren't too fond of salt... If you are going to treat the tank with anything with copper sulphate or malachite green, it would probably be best to remove the snail and make sure you do plenty of water changes before returning it. he dont handle medications well (none that i know of anyway)

[chrish]

now that you speak of it,   i,ve been treating my female bettas for ick since Sat night and i have a few ramshorn snails in the tank,    and there doing just fine plus i add allittle salt to the tank after water changes and more now while im treating my females.

[shtinkypuppie]

QUICK CURE WILL KILL YOUR SNAIL. I'm pretty sure quick cure will have an indication on it that says "DO NOT USE ON INVERTABRATES." it it doesn't, it should, malachite green is lethal to snails.

[chrish]

i,m using  ichthyopythirius    

[SteveK]

I am trying to figure out how to scoop out a ton of ghost shrimp before I dose the meds.  Snails are at least a little easier than shrimp.  I am not sure what that medicine is chrish, but all of the meds I have ever read say on the botth do not use with invertebrates (snails/shrimp/clams/etc)

[StephD4evr]

In the past, when dealing with ick in my livebearer tank, I've cranked up the heater and added salt which did the trick within a few days.  This tank also is home to many Pomacea canaliculata Apple Snails and regular Ramshorns.  They didn't suffer much during the treatment and the ick went away without having to resort to standard medications.  I would suggest trying to crank the heater up in conjunction with the salt addition you just made.  If the ick isn't too advanced, it may be just what the doctor ordered and you won't have to add any additional meds.

If you do have to get ick medication, I was once told that Jungle brand has a couple medications that are safe for snails.  I never had to buy it so I don't what the product name is.  Always look at the indications on the back to see if it is safe for invertebrates.

I'm not sure what to tell you on the shrimp though.  I always thought they were fairly fragile.  I would suggest removing them before adding any meds, but maybe someone else more familiar with shrimp can offer suggestions.

(If you need a way to scoop them out, try purchasing a brine shrimp net from your fish store)

[Scorpio]

Wanting to get this ich under control before everyone started showing signs...and knowing it can be in the gills before it shows outwardly on the fish, I called around to some lfs (and that's either really good or really bad, depending on who answers the phone).  Anyway, first guy says go ahead, use the Quick cure (he was busy trying to unload a shipment of fish that came in).  So I did....then my guts twisted and I figured he had to be wrong.  So I called another lfs.  She said probably should take the snail out.  Since I'd already treated my tank water, then I could just put the snail in some dechlorinated tap water (same pH as the tank was).  She said better to be in an uncycled tank for a few days than to be in the meds (btw she told me apples were a bit hardier than ramshorns).  I had charcoal in my filter because of tannins in my tank, and had taken it out prior to medicating, so I put it in with the fresh water for the snail (thinking it might have a bit of bacteria in it?  Might be useless, but figured it wouldn't hurt).  So, now fish are being treated (with no ill effects...touch wood) and the snail is munching down the carrot I gave it...all's well...bang on wood again  .

Steve...how big's your tank?  Could you remove the fish to med them, and then use the salt/temp treatment on the tank with the shrimp?  I know absolutely NOTHING about shrimp, but it's a thought.  :twocents:

[SteveK]

Steve...how big's your tank?  Could you remove the fish to med them, and then use the salt/temp treatment on the tank with the shrimp?  I know absolutely NOTHING about shrimp, but it's a thought.  :twocents:

I believe it is about 100 to 110 gallon bowfront, there are too many fish to move, every fish except the two plecos have ick, I am going to isolate the shrimp, Medicinces all arrive tomorrow, we will see how it goes.

[Scorpio]

Good luck.  Let us know how it all works out for you.

I think my Ich is gone..at least visibly.  I'm going to change some water, add a bit of salt, and watch it closely now (the Quick Cure says it'll get the ich in 2 days, but that sounds way too optimistic).  I'll put the carbon back in my filter and maybe return the snail tomorrow. Anyone have anything to add?  I read last night that turning out the light for a few days helps as well.  Anyone know if that's true, and if so...why?