[EmilyN]

I discovered white specks on one of my sorority girls today. I have isolated her and am changing the water completely. i will add salt once i get the tank refilled. then i will turn the water temp to 85.

I have read the sticky about ick but I had a few questions.

I was wondering if i should take the decorations out and boil them or leave them in the tank?

How long should I treat with salt?

Is there anything else I can do?

Housing
What size is your tank? 10g
What temperature is your tank? normally 78, bumping it to 85
Does your tank have a filter? yes
Does your tank have an air stone or other type of aeration? yes
Is your tank heated? yes
What tank mates does your betta fish live with? 5 other female betta

Food
What type of food do you feed your betta fish? new life spectrum betta formula
How often do you feed your betta fish? 3x a day

Maintenance
How often do you perform a water change? once a week
What percentage of the water do you change when you perform a water change? 50%
What type of additives do you add to the water when you perform a water change? none.

Water Parameters:
Have you tested your water? no

Symptoms and Treatment
How has your betta fish's appearance changed? White specks on top half of fish, clamped fins
How has your betta fish's behavior changed? clamped fins, lethargic, hides in darkest cave in the tank
When did you start noticing the symptoms? late afternoon yesterday
Have you started treating your fish? If so, how? No but im in the process of adding salt and changing the water.
Does your fish have any history of being ill? not to my knowledge. I've had her for about a month
How old is your fish (approximately)? no idea other than sort of young.

 

[EmilyN]

Also should I leave my live plants in the tank or will they be okay with the salt? I have java fern and amazon sword plants

 

[callistra]

Plants aren't okay for salt. You can treat with bumped up temp (watch for signs of stress.. you don't have to make it that high if they cant' take it. Anything 80+ should be good. Also add 1 tsp per gallon aquarium salt. Treat 10 days.

I would treat each outside the tank if at all possible but if you have 5 in a tank this might not be possible. The added heat and 2 weeks with no host in the tank (betta free) should rid the tank of the disease. Also while treating should still rid it. Make sure to vacuum well to get the stuff out of the gravel and honest I'd consider removing the gravel until everything's cleared up.. if treating in tank.

 

[EmilyN]

Thanks so much.
I will take my other girls and the gravel out of the tank. That's very good advice, it makes a lot of sense.
They seem to be just fine with the temp that high but if they do start to show signs of stress, I will lower the temp.
Thanks again for your help, I appreciate it a lot.