Question
QUESTION: Hi  I have a very small pond approx.20galls. I filled it put in plenty of oxyginating plants and left it to stand for 2 weeks.  I then introduced 2 smallish Orandas and everything seemed alright for about 6 weeks.  I then saw a white spot on the front of the face of one of the fish so I have treated the pond with pond care ERAD-ICK (Acts against parasites & fungi)for the 10 days it is now day 15 and I have noticed 2 very tiny spots (pin pricks at the moment)on the other fish.  Can you please help I don't want to loose these sweet little fish..Thanking you from Sheila of Edmonton North London.

ANSWER: Hi Shelia:  The trick to treating is to turn up the heat... which is not so easy to do in a pond.  If you can remove the fish to a smaller container you will be able to treat them for a lot less money.  Turn the temperature up to about 76-78 degrees F... The higher temperature shortens the life cycle of ICH from nine days to about 3... without the temperature increase the ICH parasite is immune to medication for 8 of its 9 day life.... dave

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QUESTION: Hi again Dave,  Can you please tell me what causes ICH the ponds water is very clean and I have a water fountain which is on a lot of the time, I feed them with pellets although I did give them some live tuberfix worms could they have infected the pond? How long should they be treated in warm water for?...Thanx Sheila

Answer
Ich is a parasite that is set off by a drop in water temperature... ICH is present even in our tap water and all fish probably carry it in their gills.... It is not something specific that you did to cause it... even master fish keepers are plagued by it when a heater in our tank stops working over night... dave