API Liquid Super Ick Cure

API Liquid Super Ick Cure is a fish medication for freshwater and saltwater aquariums. It treats ich, the white spot disease, and secondary bacterial infections that follow it. This page covers the 4 fluid ounces bottle (model 12B) and the 16-Ounce bottle (model 12J).

Recognizing ich

Ich shows up as small white grains on the body and fins, like salt. Infected fish often flash against decor, clamp their fins or breathe quickly. It is common after new fish arrive or after a temperature drop, and it spreads quickly through a tank.

Not for reef or invertebrate tanks

API says not to use it in reef aquariums. The 16 ounce label goes further: corals and invertebrates may be sensitive, and API does not recommend it in any freshwater or saltwater aquarium with invertebrates. Move shrimp, snails and corals out, or treat fish in a separate hospital tank.

Dosing

Start at the first sign of white spots. The 4 oz and 16 oz labels give different repeat schedules, so follow the exact directions printed on the bottle you buy and complete the full course. Ich has a life stage that medication cannot reach, so stopping as soon as spots fade lets it come back.

Helping the treatment work

• Remove chemical filter media such as carbon during treatment.
• Increase aeration, since medicated water can hold less oxygen.
• Do a partial water change after the course ends, then refit carbon.

Prevention

Quarantine new fish for a few weeks, keep temperature stable with a reliable heater such as the Fluval E series, and avoid stressing fish with large water swings. Healthy fish in stable water fight off ich far better.

Sizes

The 4 oz bottle suits a single home tank. The 16 oz bottle makes sense for large tanks or fish rooms. The medication is the same; only the volume differs.