DB> I have gold fish, one of them is starting to have small white
 DB> dots all over them, I immediately added some salt to the
 DB> water, but after a week the dots still remain on the fish...
 DB> What is this and how can I get rid of it.?
it sounds like ICK... get some ICK treatment and use it until the spots are 
gone... then continue to use it for at least two more weeks to kill the ICK 
'eggs' that remain in the tank.
ICK (ichthyophthirius) is a disease of parasitic origin. it requires several 
days before it can be diagnosed visually. it is caused by the protozoan 
parasite ichthyophthirius multifiliis which is present in most aquarium 
waters. the parasite cannot attack healthy fish and in most cases it attacks 
weakened fish that have been exposed to a sudden and drastic water 
temperature drop. there are also occasions where the fish may be weakened by 
an unclean condition in the aquarium.
the sudden temperature drop or the unclean condition causes the fish to 
suffer shock. the shock prevents the glands responsible for producing the 
protective mucous from working properly. when the fish has no mucous 
covering, it can be considered to be naked. the ick attack the naked body of 
the fish and burrow underneath the skin causing an ulcerous wound.
5 days later the parasite forms a cyst after whch it leaves the fish's body 
and sinks to the bottom of the aquarium. the incubation period in this state 
is 5 days. then the cysts break open and release another batch of 
free-swimming parasites.
it is important to keep up the medication for longer than the above described 
period. normally i medicate for three to four weeks from the time that i spot 
the ick on the fish. once the white spots have disappeared from the fish, 
many assume that th disease is gone but it is not. it is very important that 
the remaining parasites be killed so a reoccurance does not happen.
your local pet supply store should have several medications that cna be used 
against ick. i prefer liquid medications to solid or granules because my fish 
always seem to want to try to eat everything put into their tanks.
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