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After about a week, I noticed a tiny white spot on one of my neon tetras. Oh, crap. Ichthyophthirius multifilis or Ich or or Ick or White Spot Disease.

Ich isn’t actually a disease, it’s a parasite that attaches to fish when they are stressed. Like say, when they go to a new home. Or when the heaterstat fails and the temperature drops 4°F overnight. Or when the pH jumps from 7.2 to 7.5 overnight.

poor tetras

I spied 4 tetras with super tiny spots, smaller even than a grain of salt. It fluoresces under the blacklight. I did some quick research and raised the temperature in my tank from 74°F to 86°F over the course of 24 hours. I did a 50% water change. After 24 hours, I’m only seeing 1 fish that still has white spots.

I will continue to keep the temperature above 86°F and will perform daily 50% water changes until it has been two weeks since the day I don’t see any more white spots on the fish. Here’s hoping it works! Poor fish. They are acting alright so far, though.