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Posts: 4
From:Canada
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 11-14-2003 06:36 AM         

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I have recently bought 3 Iridescent sharks. It is my first time owinging this particular fish, and last night I noticed that 2 of them are covered in white spots. Are they sick?? Can anyone tell me what may be causing this, and how I can take care of it?

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posted 11-14-2003 12:29 PM         

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Repost from white spots-same date
Sounds like Ick. There are several meds for Ick. My personal preference is Maracide. Causes of Ick are bacterial overload or rapid temperature changes. Use a heater to keep temperature stable. Do a 20% water change from the bottom to clean the gravel once a week. These should help keep you from having this occur. For treatment follow procedures outlined above followed by treating the tank using the guidelines listed with the medication.

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From:Canada
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 11-17-2003 12:40 PM         

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Shari,
Iridescent sharks can grow over 4 feet in length. 3 of them will likely eventually require bettr than a 400 gallon tank! Chances are you weren't told this when you bought them. My advice is if the ick is cured, take them back and get a different species. If they die, take it as a learning experience and get a different species.

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From:Canada
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posted 11-21-2003 09:47 PM         

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Thank you. It seems that I have them cured from Ick. But now I have noticed that their fins are turning red, and one of them seems to have a white layer of something over it's face. What could this be now?? You're right, when we bought these fish we were never told anything about how big they get...nothing. They basically bagged them and sent us on our way.

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posted 11-22-2003 04:57 AM         

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Hello Shari, It sounds like a secondary bacterial infection (...fins turning red...white layer over it's face). Treat for fungus. This is why I like the Mardel products. You can use the Maracide for Ick and Maracyn for fungus together without the normal complications.

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From:Canada
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posted 11-22-2003 12:40 PM         

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Thank you !!!!!

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posted 01-06-2004 03:26 PM         

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I think that they probably have ick, take the sick fish out and put them in a different tank asap!! This will help keep the other fish from becoming ill.

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posted 01-23-2004 07:00 PM         

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Another disaese like Ick is Velvet. The "Spots" are more like cotton. On the fish it looks it is actually spread upon them. But my guess is you have a fungus. I lost a Sharky to it young.

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From:Buena Park, CA, Orange County
Registered: Jan 2004

posted 01-24-2004 07:20 AM         

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hey there....you can not treat ick just by isolating the infected fish. ick lives in the water not just on the fish. you need to buy some medication for it...I suggest to use Maracide made by Mardel. read the instructions and treat how it says to. here is a tip, dont leave any windows open in the same room as the tank, keep the room clean and dust free, and remove any dead or dying plants. these are the main causes to ick. and also, when you have finished treating the tank you can put salt into the tank. just buy it at a grocery store, but make sure that you use NON-IODIZED OR PLAN SALT. this will kill any ick left in the water, and will not harm your freash water fish... use 1 tablespoon per 5 gall. of water. you should let it disolve in warm water first, then poor it into the tank. I recently went through this cycle with my 60 gall. tank. it works good, but remember- non- iodized!!! if you get the other kind (iodized salt) it will kill the fish!! good luck!!

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From:Canada
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posted 01-24-2004 04:28 PM         

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Thank you guys for all your great advice. Unfortunately, all 3 of them died. But I will keep all of this in mind for when I buy a bigger tank and purchase new iridescents; especially the 'salt' idea.

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