Ich during winter

[Reeves]

Hoping to get some input- I believe my fish have ich. My newly set up indoor tank is occupied for a separate issue (though I’ll be treating them too, to be safe) and the main pond is averaging around 40-45*F.

I have filters down for winter and will recheck parameters tomorrow, but last checked in the past week and ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates were 0. Fish haven’t been fed at all since the temps consistently dropped a few weeks ago. They do have aeration and a de-icer.

I’m planning to try salt but am conflicted considering what I’ve read on interactions with medications. I worry that if the salt is not effective, my fish may succumb to secondary infection since the temperature dictates a longer treatment period and removing all salt via water change will be a lengthy process prior to being able to treat with other medications.

I’d really appreciate some advice on moving forward- I know heating will speed up the lifecycle and shorten treatment time, but I don’t have a large enough separate heated space to keep them currently. I am considering setting up a larger pool but don’t have any indoor space left to keep them- so not sure if a basic portable greenhouse might suffice or if there are other options that are not cost prohibitive for heating the main pond for the remainder of treatment and the season. I’d also think it best to set up a filter and keep the water better circulated during treatment but without heating I worry about destroying my filter- are there any better options for winter filtration without heat?

[RichToyBox]

For ich, I am one that believes the only good treatment is salt. It is able to be held at a treatment level for long periods of time and because of the life cycle of ich, it takes time, even in hot weather to effect a complete treatment. The only treatment that I am aware of that states you should not use salt is Proform C, but contrary to the directions, John of Hanover Koi has used it with salt levels that were much higher than the salt level required for treating ich. I would go ahead with 0.3% and keep it there until mid-March or early April, then start diluting it out. The chances that you will need another med during this treatment are pretty slim and if you are afraid to use the salt plus formalin/malachite green solution, a good heavy water change of 50% will do the fish a lot of good and reduce the salinity by 50%.

[Reeves]

Thank you! I appreciate the input. I was leaning toward salt only, but was worried it wouldn’t cut it. I’ll go that route and keep a close eye on them. I picked up a few meds to have on hand if I do end up needing them, anyway.