Page 1 of 2
how to prevent Ich outbreaks in Betta tanks
Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2025 8:28 pm
by neonwing
My betta's been acting weird lately, like scratching on stuff. Water params are good, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 10 nitrate. Tank's a 5 gallon with a sponge filter, heated to 78. Could this be Ich? How do I stop it before it gets bad?
Re: how to prevent Ich outbreaks in Betta tanks
Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2025 9:54 pm
by morgel
Yep, scratching's a classic sign. Ich's a pain but manageable. Bump the temp to 82 slowly, over a day, and add aquarium salt, 1 tsp per gallon. Keep it there for 10 days. No meds yet unless you see white spots. Also, check your water change routine, weekly 20% changes help prevent it.
Re: how to prevent Ich outbreaks in Betta tanks
Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2025 12:48 am
by kick
morgel wrote: ↑Sat Sep 06, 2025 9:54 pm
Yep, scratching's a classic sign. Ich's a pain but manageable. Bump the temp to 82 slowly, over a day, and add aquarium salt, 1 tsp per gallon. Keep it there for 10 days. No meds yet unless you see white spots. Also, check your water change routine, weekly 20% changes help prevent it.
Agreed. Also, quarantine any new plants or tankmates. Ich often hitchhikes in on them. I've had it happen twice, and both times it was from a new snail.
Re: how to prevent Ich outbreaks in Betta tanks
Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2025 5:38 am
by folius
My dude got Ich last year, freaked me out. Did the heat and salt thing, worked like a charm. Just make sure your fish can handle the temp bump, some bettas are kinda delicate. Also, keep the lights low, less stress.
Re: how to prevent Ich outbreaks in Betta tanks
Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2025 9:45 am
by barnicle
Ich's the worst, man. Had it wipe out half my tank once. Now I always drip acclimate new stuff, even plants. Takes forever but worth it. Also, don't skip water changes, even if the tank looks clean. Lazy habits = Ich city.
Re: how to prevent Ich outbreaks in Betta tanks
Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2025 10:54 am
by jolymax
Is it cool to use meds right away or wait? My LFS guy said to dose at the first sign, but I don't wanna mess with chemicals if I don't have to.
Re: how to prevent Ich outbreaks in Betta tanks
Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2025 2:19 pm
by morgel
jolymax wrote: ↑Sun Sep 07, 2025 10:54 am
Is it cool to use meds right away or wait? My LFS guy said to dose at the first sign, but I don't wanna mess with chemicals if I don't have to.
Hold off on meds unless you're sure it's Ich. Heat and salt fix most cases. Meds can stress your fish more, and some bettas react badly to them. If you do need meds, go for malachite green or copper-free options.
Re: how to prevent Ich outbreaks in Betta tanks
Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2025 5:36 pm
by finfisher
Prevention's key. I keep my tank at 80 always, and I add a bit of salt during water changes. Haven't seen Ich in years. Also, clean your gravel regularly, detritus builds up and weakens their immune system.
Re: how to prevent Ich outbreaks in Betta tanks
Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2025 4:36 am
by boardwhiz
Ich's scary but treatable. I lost a fish to it once because I waited too long. Now I'm super careful with new additions. Quarantine tanks are a lifesaver, even if they're just a cheap 2 gallon with a heater.
Re: how to prevent Ich outbreaks in Betta tanks
Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2025 5:48 am
by neonwing
Thanks for the tips, everyone. Gonna bump the temp and try the salt. Fingers crossed it's not too late.