Clownloaches/whitespot/rocksalt?

[batmanforever]

Hi, I have a 6' African tank that includes bistlenoses and 20 clownloaches.

I noticed 5 clowns only have whitespot. I have raised the temp to 30c and have treated water with the recommended dose every 3 days (3 times now) with VIP white spot cure (includes malachite green). It hasnt as yet got rid of the white spot. Am I treating correctly? Apart from using chemicals like malachite green (which is carcingenic to humans) is there a better or altenative treatment? I have heard that a quanity of rock salt added to the tank water permantly helps build up the slime on fish like clownloaches thus preventing whitespot occuring? If this is correct can anyone recommend what dose of rock salt / litre to use? Prevention is better than cure! Thanks

[Adrienne]

Just checking that you have no charcoal in your filters as this stops as meds working. I used to use salt in my tanks at 1gm per litre but don't know if you can use it with the type of fish you have.

[herefishiefishie]

Clownloaches don't have scales, therefore you have to be careful with salt, it burns there skin.

With the temp at 30 degrees, increase the airation in the tank. Oxygen levels deplete rapidly at high temps.

Usually to, most white spot remedies have to used in 1/2 doses for loaches & catfish.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/BODY_FA006

I would be doing water changes with a gravel vac, before treatments. Stirs the gravel up, to release cysts that could be in the gravel & also removes some too. You only kill the bug when it is off the fish.

Just keep dosing. I have seen it where people have taken 2 weeks to kill them off.

Frenchy

[batmanforever]

Hi, thanks for your advice. Gave them forth treatment and white spot now gone but will try permanent mild dose of rock salt. Thanks