Copper or Hyposalinity

[paulamrein]

I asked for a reference, and you plugged your book. I've googled both and do not coincide with your findings. Let's drop it, so SheilaF can find the help they need. For me, hypo has always worked with no ill effect on them at all.

 

[JHemdal]

paulamrein,

I did not "plug" my book until you wrote, "I'm afraid I'll have to call you out on it and show me an aritcal or link".

As I said, this is new information and not widely written about, so I had to use my own material as a reference. For you then to completely disregard that information and accuse me of plugging my book is really rude.

Finally, I must apologize - the reference I gave you previously was not the full one. I was in a hurry and couldn't find it in my files. I knew it was in the book somewhere, but I didn't have the time to locate it. I did so this morning, here is the full discussion about this issue with Uronema: (It is in the environmental quality chapter under osmoregulation rather than the fish health chapter)

Hyposmostic therapy for marine fish disease treatment:
This is the much touted “low salinity treatment” for the marine protozoan fish parasite Cryptocaryon irritans. The basic premise is that most marine fish can tolerate a lower salt level than can this protozoan parasite. Reducing the specific gravity of the aquarium the proper amount for an adequate length of time does often eliminate active infections of C. irritans. Generally, this means maintaining the fish at a specific gravity fully half that of normal seawater (1.0125) for 14 to 20 days. The difficulties show up when aquarists modify the treatment due to extenuating circumstances. For example, since not all fish can tolerate that low of a specific gravity, some aquarists try the treatment at a slightly higher specific gravity (say 1.016) for a longer period (30+ days). This should never be attempted. There is a particularly virulent protozoan named Uronema sp. that thrives in brackish water. Given enough time, it very often infects the fish and is very difficult to treat. The symptoms of Uronema mimic that of an external bacterial infection (open red sores, scales falling off, cloudy fins). Even the most experienced aquarist will usually misdiagnose an Uronema infection unless they have access to a microscope and look for the protozoan with that device. There are other anti-protozoan treatments that are less risky and much more effective than this treatment. Remember, while the salinity of an aquarium housing marine fish can be reduced almost instantaneously, raising the salt level back to normal values at the conclusion of the treatment must be done very slowly â€"œ even over a period of three or four days.

NOW we can drop this......

Jay Hemdal

 

[paulamrein]

We can drop this as soon as you explain why all of the data suggests a salinity drop or FW dip as treatment. Not to mention there are all kinds of Uronema listed. Are you referring to a specific one in particular? Or the genius in general? I didn't mean to be rude, I just found it odd to give a reference to something that you wrote when trying to prove a point. It was almost a "because I said so" type of suggestion. I just don't see how Hypo salinity can be both the cause and the cure for this parasite. Or are the 20 or so sites that I found the same information telling us that Uronema is a common parasite found in seawater salinity as well as freshwater. They prey on the weak fish, your argument could be that hypo makes the fish weak therefore more prone. You have said it yourself it is new information. Most people are skeptical of new information with all the snake oils and spice rack cures circulating. I don't even mean to be argumentative. I just want something solid to wrap my brain around. From more than one source.

 

[JHemdal]

paulamrein,

The exact species involved is unknown. The genus is Uronema. It is sometimes written as "Uronema cf. marinum" with the cf. standing for "conferre" or "similar to".
I think you have probably come across Uronema information on the site "aquatic community". Their un-referenced, and unattributed information is simply wrong. If you use low salinity to treat a Uronema infection like they suggest, the fish will die!
I did some looking around and found that there are a few other people beginning to see the connection between increased Uronema and low salinity treatments - notably the curator at the Tenn. Aquarium and Pete Giwojna, the seahorse expert. I first became aware of the issue in 1985 while an aquarist at the Shedd Aquarium, so I guess it isn't all that new....just something that hasn't made the cross-over to the hobby side yet.


Jay

 

[Pescado Racing]

I am also a curator in AZ, and have heard hypo can lead to Uronema thriving within a community. I think it relates more in large aquaria with large populations of fish. As opposed to smaller home displays with much lower animals under care, hypo seems to be a great QT method. Just what I've noticed...