How to Treat Tetras for Ick

Seeing little white spots on your tetras may be the first sign that your entire tank is infected with ick, or Ichthyophthirius multifillis. Ick is a protozoan parasite that can thrive in aquariums. Early stage ick burrow into the tetra's skin and begin to feed and grow. The white spots are the mature ick. Once mature, these white dots detach and form a cyst before settling in the gravel. From the cyst stage the ick divides and creates thousands more ick to start the cycle once again. To treat tetras for ick you have to treat the entire tank.

Things You'll Need

• Ick treatment
• Gravel vacuum

Instructions

1. Remove the carbon filter from the tank. The carbon filter will filter out the chemical treatment.

2. Change about 25 percent of the water in the tank. When changing the water, vacuum the gravel well to physically remove the ick cysts. Repeat this step about every four days until all visible signs of ick are gone.

3. Put the chemical ick treatment into the tank. Follow the label instructions for how much and how often to use. There are several chemical ick treatments available at most any pet store that sells fish.

4. Increase the water temperature to 82 to 86 degrees F. Keep the water temperature higher during the entire course of treatment.

Tips & Warnings

• Ick treatment takes about two weeks.

References

• Mobile's Pet Store: Basic Information on Ick
• Fishlore.com: Ichthyophthirius Fish Disease