Mysterious fish deaths are more common now (Flukes)

[padova335i]

If a fish died of flukes, and the other fish ate its body, they can get flukes as well?

 

[billsreef]

If a fish died of flukes, and the other fish ate its body, they can get flukes as well?

Flukes leave the fish very quickly after death to seek a new live host. So they won't get infected from eating the dead fish, but they will be infected just due to the fact of living in the same tank.

 

[snorvich]

Flukes leave the fish very quickly after death to seek a new live host. So they won't get infected from eating the dead fish, but they will be infected just due to the fact of living in the same tank.

By the way, that is true of all parasites that I am aware. They quickly leave the body of a fish that has died.

 

[billsreef]

Quite true. It is also the reason it's hard to look at a dead fish and find parasites in a post mortem examination.

 

[snorvich]

Quite true. It is also the reason it's hard to look at a dead fish and find parasites in a post mortem examination.

We as aquarists do not do that enough, that is, analyze why a fish has died. Since the parasites have left, it requires analysis of behavior and symptoms. Very useful information, especially if the fish is coming from a community tank with exposure to other fish.

 

[padova335i]

Flukes leave the fish very quickly after death to seek a new live host. So they won't get infected from eating the dead fish, but they will be infected just due to the fact of living in the same tank.

By the way, that is true of all parasites that I am aware. They quickly leave the body of a fish that has died.

thanks guys,, I qt and prazi all my fish, hypo tangs.. had a 5 yr old esq wrasse die on me, he seemed to be getting thin, all other fish are super healthy, im just super paranoid.. all that was left was his head and spine, my purple tang was still eating him!

(wrasse took a 7 ft jump and hit my wood floor 3 months ago,, )

 

[Newflavor]

I think I have fluke in my tank. I added a regal tang last week to my tank from another hobbyist and it is now twitching once in a while. Also, my purple tang is now doing the same thing. I noticed though that the purple tang as a white scratch like thingy on its fins. Could this be fluke? It will be impossible to catch all my fish in DT so I will dose the med directly in there. I have a 160 gallons tank. I only have snails and shrimps besides about 15 fishes atm but will add corals in two weeks. This med should be reef safe right?

 

[billsreef]

Flukes are translucent and hard to see. So a white scratch looking thing is quite likely just a scratch.

Prazi is generally well tolerated in a reef tank. Though keep in mind, those symptoms you mention fit several possible parasites.

 

[snorvich]

And flukes can be confirmed with a fresh water dip.

 

[drdavethedude]

Just read through this whole thread and thinking to myself...if the reason for repeating Praziquantel treatments 2 or more times in a QT is to get the next generation of the egg-laying flukes, why not simply remove the fish to another tank after the first 5 days?
This way the fish is clear of flukes, while the new hatchlings don't have a host. Obviously this wouldn't make sense if treating the display, but for a QT it makes sense, no? This would avoid unnecessary repeat treatments of the fish. Am I missing something?
Thanks, Dave

 

[Rea17]

The flukes lay their eggs on the fish, so multiple treatments are necessary.

 

[Newsmyrna80]

Flukes lay eggs on the fish. The eggs are impervious to FW dips, Prazi or formalin and are attached by an extremely sticky substance.

 

[billsreef]

Some flukes lay eggs. Many of the most problematic species do not lay eggs, directly reproducing instead....these are the species that have exponential growth, causing quite rapid spread.

 

[padova335i]

so.. i was thinking.. would it be a bad idea to soak fish food in prazi a couple times a yr just for maintenance in DT? or would it be a waste/create problems?

 

[billsreef]

so.. i was thinking.. would it be a bad idea to soak fish food in prazi a couple times a yr just for maintenance in DT? or would it be a waste/create problems?

Be far and away better to properly quarantine all new fish and prevent the introduction of flukes in the first place.

 

[padova335i]

Be far and away better to properly quarantine all new fish and prevent the introduction of flukes in the first place.

of course.. and i do every time.. But i read that you should also use it here and there even after treatment and that fish generally have the worms.,. i dont know,.., maybe it is a marketing tool

 

[billsreef]

I've yet to need it in a display tank after following a good QT routine

 

[drdavethedude]

Newsmyrna80 and Rea17....A point that I missed, makes perfect sense, thanks!

 

[Newsmyrna80]

Some flukes lay eggs. Many of the most problematic species do not lay eggs, directly reproducing instead....these are the species that have exponential growth, causing quite rapid spread.

True, but the flukes we primarily deal with as saltwater aquarists (from the Capsalidae family) are egg layers.
Also the posts were in response to drdavethedude specifically asking about egg laying flukes.
"if the reason for repeating Praziquantel treatments 2 or more times in a QT is to get the next generation of the egg-laying flukes, why not simply remove the fish to another tank after the first 5 days?"

 

[usmc1812]

Freshwater dip everything for at least ten minutes. I repeat this process at least twice. Put an air stone in the freshwater. If the fish has flukes you will see them fall off in the matter of minutes. I found this method to be very effective. Angels from the Pacific Ocean are most likely prone to these. The cloudy eyes are the definite sign, loss of color, frayed fins, lack of appetite, and scratching.