curtcherry
Member
What does a month versus 15 days in QT give? I have had my run in with ectoparasites and would think 15 days is plenty for them to rear their ugly head. Would I be looking for something else?
QT Length
- Thread starter curtcherry
- Start date
Dmorty217
Saltwater Addict
If the fish are in low levels of copper or even a 2.0 level of copper it will only mask the disease (if the fish are in copper at 2.0 but haven't been in it for 30 days minimum before you get them, the disease can still be present). 30 days is long enough for the disease to present itself if this is the case. Its a very short amount of time when you measure this hobby so whats the rush?
curtcherry
Member
Fish came in looking healthy so I am not treating with anything. I am also not disputing the 30 days. Just curious if there is something besides ectoparasites that I would be looking for.
ThRoewer
New member
IMO 2 months are the minimum for wild caught fish and everything that comes from a LFS regardless of origin.
30 days may only be sufficient for tank bred straight from the breeder or fish that come from a reef tank of someone who has a good quarantine protocol and nothing added within the last 3 months.
30 days may only be sufficient for tank bred straight from the breeder or fish that come from a reef tank of someone who has a good quarantine protocol and nothing added within the last 3 months.
What he said. Fish that "look" healthy may not be.
Flaring Afro
Puffer Geek
But like the OP, I personally wouldn't treat with medication if the fish seems healthy.
scooter31707
New member
6-8 weeks minimum for me. I learned my lesson. I had a velvet and flukes outbreak in week 4 of being in the QT. All water parameters were spot on and eating good. They came from a cooper treatment from the LFS. Every since then, it's 6-8 weeks.
ThRoewer
New member
What is here usually incorrectly referred to as "flukes" are actually Monoganeans, which currently include at least 4 branches of flatworms. There are many genera with thousands of species.
Some are strictly freshwater, some only live in saltwater and some are able to take tolerate a wide range of salinities.
Some are sensitive to Praziquantel while others are totally unaffected.
The "skin flukes" we encounter belong to the Capsalidae branch of the Monogeneans. Most of them are strictly saltwater species and can usually be killed off with hyposalinity.
Praziquantel should also work against most of them.
Copper is another thing most don't tolerate well.
"Gill flukes" belong to the other Monogenean branches. These guys can be much tougher. Some are strictly freshwater and others strictly saltwater, but quite a few tolerate wide salinity ranges.
Some of them are totally unaffected by Praziquantel and even copper. Those super bugs might only be killed by Trichlorfon (Dylox).
Others may even be immune to Trichlorfon, but not necessarily to hyposalinity, Praziquantel or copper.
So when it comes to "skin and gill flukes" there is no silver bullet that kills all. You need to try what works or properly identify them to pick the most effective treatment.
Praziquantel and hyposalinity are good first measures, but by no means a guarantee that you got them.
To make matters worse, fish can actually acquire some level of immunity against all of these and carry them without being symptomatic.
BTW, the real flukes are a totally different group of flatworms and strictly intestinal parasites. Praziquantel is usually effective against these
Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk
Some are strictly freshwater, some only live in saltwater and some are able to take tolerate a wide range of salinities.
Some are sensitive to Praziquantel while others are totally unaffected.
The "skin flukes" we encounter belong to the Capsalidae branch of the Monogeneans. Most of them are strictly saltwater species and can usually be killed off with hyposalinity.
Praziquantel should also work against most of them.
Copper is another thing most don't tolerate well.
"Gill flukes" belong to the other Monogenean branches. These guys can be much tougher. Some are strictly freshwater and others strictly saltwater, but quite a few tolerate wide salinity ranges.
Some of them are totally unaffected by Praziquantel and even copper. Those super bugs might only be killed by Trichlorfon (Dylox).
Others may even be immune to Trichlorfon, but not necessarily to hyposalinity, Praziquantel or copper.
So when it comes to "skin and gill flukes" there is no silver bullet that kills all. You need to try what works or properly identify them to pick the most effective treatment.
Praziquantel and hyposalinity are good first measures, but by no means a guarantee that you got them.
To make matters worse, fish can actually acquire some level of immunity against all of these and carry them without being symptomatic.
BTW, the real flukes are a totally different group of flatworms and strictly intestinal parasites. Praziquantel is usually effective against these
Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk
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