Freshwater Dip

[Andrew]

My male flame angel got a case of the flukes this week and his one eye got pretty bad today so I decided to give him a quick dip and I just grabbed him while he was sleeping tonight and put him into a cup and let him wake up some before I dipped him. Is this safer or am I stressing him out even more by doing it when he's half asleep? I just did a quick one minute dip tonight and there were some white flakes in the bucket so I'm guessing some did come off. Should I try this again tomorrow night for a little longer? Any medications to add to prevent the other fish from getting it? None of them are showing signs yet.


I should also add that hes in great shape and hasn't shown any signs of stress or anything. He eats like a pig and goes nuts over Rod's Food and garlic soaked green algea. After the dip I put him back into the tank and he went right back to his usually spot and hardly showed any heavy breathing. I've always been doing daily water changes in the tank in case it was a bacteria infection.

 

[MrTuskfish]

Praziquantel (PraziPro) is a standard med for treating flukes. Its probably the only med I'd ever feel safe using in a DT. Although any med has the potential to do damage; I can never remember hearing about any PP related disasters; (It will kill feather dusters and other worm creatures.) PP is quite easy, safe, & effective. Twp treatments are usually suggested. FW dips are a good way to diagnose flukes; but they are reproducing in your tank and more dips would be pointless (IMO).

 

[b0bab0ey]

Why not just use PraziPro? It's generally considered reef safe (except for tube worms/feather dusters) and you can treat the entire tank with it. Normally takes 2-3 doses of it, 5 days apart to completely eradicate Flukes as Prazi only kills the Flukes themselves and not the eggs.

 

[MrTuskfish]

Why not just use PraziPro? It's generally considered reef safe (except for tube worms/feather dusters) and you can treat the entire tank with it. Normally takes 2-3 doses of it, 5 days apart to completely eradicate Flukes as Prazi only kills the Flukes themselves and not the eggs.

I do use PP; just used to the generic name of the stuff I used for years.

 

[Andrew]

I'll try that today. I grabbed this off google image but his right eye looks like this: Would maracyn 2 help?

 

[b0bab0ey]

I'll try that today. I grabbed this off google image but his right eye looks like this: Would maracyn 2 help?

If his right eye looks like the one in that pic, I would QT and treat with both Maracyn 1 & 2. Using them concurrently will cover both gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial infections. Popeye can be a symptom of both. However, if his eye just looks swollen I would try Epsom salt first (1 tablespoon per 5 gals) as it is reef safe and might ease the swelling. If that doesn't work, QT and treat with the antibiotics.

 

[Andrew]

Can maracyn 1/2 be used in the display tank? There are no corals in the tank

 

[b0bab0ey]

Can maracyn 1/2 be used in the display tank? There are no corals in the tank

Personally, I would never use Maracyn 1 & 2 in a DT. It turns the water yellow, and I'm guessing you'd also have to turn your protein skimmer off while using it. Also, I'm not sure if some of the active ingredients would get absorbed into your rock/sand like copper does. So IMO Maracyn 1 & 2 would be best applied in a bare bottom, rockless QT.

If the popeye is being caused by a bacterial infection then it shouldn't be something contagious to your other fish. I'd highly recommend catching the Flame and treating in QT if you can. Or try the Epsom salt first, as that is completely safe to use in a DT.

 

[Chris27]

You don't ever want to use an antibiotic in a running tank, it can decimate the bio-filter. They are best used in a QT where you can control ammonia easily with water changes or additives.

 

[MrTuskfish]

You don't ever want to use an antibiotic in a running tank, it can decimate the bio-filter. They are best used in a QT where you can control ammonia easily with water changes or additives.

+1 Except (maybe) for de-wormers, like PraziPro; I don't think any meds belong in a DT. Fish with heath problems also need and do better (IMO & IME) in the peace & quiet of a HT/QT.