Need help SOON, fatal problem

[Steve_B]

My name is Bruce,

Just to get things straight, I am not Steve_B that has been a member here for years. I just joined a few days ago, and I am trying to get that information corrected.

I have a service that maintains my two tanks.
I did my own research, read articles posted in the brook time topic and it appears that brook is the disease that has killed my fish. There are only three fish my 225 gallon tank. I had all of the other fish removed because I fear this disease has killed many other new fish that have died. The three I have, are the ones I have had for years. They are a large Naso tang, a large Niger Trigger and a large Corus Wrasse. I’m not sure about the spelling of them. From everything I have read, the effective treatment is a formalin dip. I found an article from a Google search that this disease can kill in only hours, days or weeks. It sounds like it is spread from actual physical contact and does not swim in the water, only on a host.
Formalin 37% solution is not an over the counter substance here, it must be obtained from a pharmacy with a prescription. I cannot get any vet, even the one that my cats go to, will not write one for me. Can a fresh water dip be effective? If so, I think, but I’m not sure, a fresh water dip cannot be used on a wrasse, possibly fatal.

I really don’t know what to do, it is moving rapidly now. Is there anything else that will work? Maybe something added directly into the tank? The maintenance guys, whom I am starting to think are idiots, have something called Organi-cure that contains 17% formaldehyde in a tri-chealted form and copper 1.25%. I have no idea what any of that means I’m being told this stuff can be added straight into the tank, but every other article says to NEVER add to tank. The fish have labored breathing, suppressed eating, hide, ragy fins and even seen the Tang go up to the top and suck air. That is what makes me think this needs RAPID treatment. Suffaction, possibly soon. I believe this all ads up to brook. I am very concerned that this could rapidly become fatal, because the gills are probably being eaten away or not allowing them to breathe and suffocate. If anybody can help I would be very thankful.

Thank you,

Bruce

 

[kevin2000]

A FW dip is not considered effective against Brooklynella.

In the USA you can purchase 37% strength formalin on line at Drs Fosters/Smith and other outfits - not sure whats available in England. In the USA formalin 03 is often available in LFS - but if your using instructions based on a 37% solution vs a 3% solution you would need to compensate the doseage accordingly.

I don't know squat about Organi Cure .. but at certain concentrations combining formalin and copper can have an adverse impact.

Quick cure is a product that is often available - its a formalin based product which some have used in a pinch.

I am unsure why your pharmacy or vet won't give you std 37% - s/b no big deal and your only going to need a very small quantity to give your fish the baths they need. Might be worth a call to discuss why you are requesting.

If nothing pans out I would consider using the formalin copper solution - beats doing nothing.

Good luck.

 

[Steve_B]

It is unlawful because it is known to cause cancer in some cases when handling. I called aquarium systems (the maker of instant ocean) and given this product as having the ability to kill external parasites, which I believe Brook is. Here it is;

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=14980&prodid=29600&catid=3

 

[kevin2000]

Call your vet and pharmacy and explain your situation ... formalin may be associated with cancer but its a common chemical still used throughout the World and I suspect still used in the treatment of human burn victims. Smoking is associated with cancer but you can pick up a pack just about anywhere.

All parasites are not the same ... amylo and ich are formalin resistant and brook isn't responsive to the cures that impact ich or amylo.

I don't live in your country and don't know your situation .. getting a bit of std strength formalin s/b no big deal .. perhaps making a few calls and raising a bit of a fuss is in order.

 

[Steve_B]

BTW, I just don't have the time or effort to deal with this.The idiots that maintain my tanks just replace my fish that have died with new ones, change out the coral with clean bleached coral and take care of all of the pumps and whatever else is evolved. I am going to fire them and find another service that seems to know what they are doing, if I can figure out if they know what they are doing. This has been very wearing on me. I have spent almost an entire day on this and I have to leave in 3 days. I would do this myself, if I had the time to figure it out.

 

[Steve_B]

I called my vet and the pharmacy, the vet said they could lose their liscense if precribing for an animal they have not seen. I'm in a real bind here.

 

[kevin2000]

Good luck ... sounds like your Vet is requiring you to pay a fee before he gives you a prescription for a medication which would cost less than a beer in most parts of the World. Do a deal with your Vet or find another source.

Amylo isn't localized to the USA .. so if you have a lot of SW aquarist in England there has to be a source.

 

[Steve_B]

I have read so much at different places on the internet and here I can't remember where I got some of my information. I believe it said someplace that Formalin can't be used on scale less fish like sharks and surgeonfish.
Is that the case? If so, how would a cure be possible for my tang?
Anyway, maybe that is wrong information, I don't know.


I just realized that if can be obtained over the counter; there should be an online store that sells it, that would be perfect!

Anybody know of one? If I did a next day shipment I could do the procedure and delay my having to leave.
I will also have to make sure the maintenance company, which I will still have to keep for awhile now and watch over what they do.
I don't know how to run the equipment. This is becoming such a big deal.
So, I should have searched for an online store, but my mind got so befuddled.

When I was told it has to be purchased via prescription I just gave up.
Now it looks like there may be a light at the end of the tunnel. I have to leave now for a good portion of the day, but will check back when I arrive home.

Again, thank you all again for going out of the way to help.

Bruce

 

[Steve_B]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13652257#post13652257 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kevin2000


I don't live in your country and don't know your situation .. getting a bit of std strength formalin s/b no big deal .. perhaps making a few calls and raising a bit of a fuss is in order.

I'm home early, checked it out and you are right. I just took what somebody someplace; again I don't remember who said it, about not being over the counter. I went back to foster and smith and there it is, Formalin 37% solution. That's where I ordered the other stuff in the link earlier. I didn't even look to see if they sold it. I just placed an order now, next day delivery. If the order is placed by 2pm USA Central Standard Time, it goes out today. What a relief.

But I'm still concerned about using it on the tang. I'm going to have the service people do the procedure, and make sure the dosage and everything about the proper way it is administered.

Again, does anybody know about if the tang can be treated? If I can't use it on him, what do I do?

I'm going to start a new topic regarding Formalin and my tang.
I figure people may just skip this topic because they have seen enough of it.