So I have a few fish in QT right now and they were treated with API general cure for suspected flukes and just in case theres some intestinal issues. So far the sickest looking fish in the purple firefish that sits with most of its fins clamped. Its still really hungry but when it eats, it has to fight to keep food down. It acts like its coughing, then spits the food out and goes into a twitching fit, as if something is itchy. Itll then go rub up on the PVC tubes and the glass bottom. I mention the diarrhea bc when the fish pooped today, it wasnt the typical long poop that looks like what food its been eating. Instead it call kindof just came out of the fish quickly and broke apart. So to me it seemed like diarrhea. The metronidazole from General cure should be able to tackle potential intestinal worms, but I'm just wondering if thats typical or seems unusual.
The other question I have is the general effectiveness of general cure for flukes. Like I said, I treated on Sunday afternoon, and its been 3 days since. I was waiting until Friday (5 days later) to give the second dose of general cure, but I'm noticing today that all the fish are running around scratching on things. I read that prazi is out of the water in 48 hours, and that when the flukes dislodge they can make the fish itchy, but what would cause this reaction at 72 hours later? It cant be that more flukes are dislodging bc the drug shoudn't be in the water anymore. I was also thinking maybe some fluke eggs hatched but then it seems quick since the die off was just 2-3 days ago, and I thought the eggs would hatch 5 - 7 days later (depending on temperature).
So any ideas what would cause the fish to be so itchy? I dont see signs of ick or anything else. The fish are all eating well too, its really just the purple firefish that is struggling with food.
The other question I have is the general effectiveness of general cure for flukes. Like I said, I treated on Sunday afternoon, and its been 3 days since. I was waiting until Friday (5 days later) to give the second dose of general cure, but I'm noticing today that all the fish are running around scratching on things. I read that prazi is out of the water in 48 hours, and that when the flukes dislodge they can make the fish itchy, but what would cause this reaction at 72 hours later? It cant be that more flukes are dislodging bc the drug shoudn't be in the water anymore. I was also thinking maybe some fluke eggs hatched but then it seems quick since the die off was just 2-3 days ago, and I thought the eggs would hatch 5 - 7 days later (depending on temperature).
So any ideas what would cause the fish to be so itchy? I dont see signs of ick or anything else. The fish are all eating well too, its really just the purple firefish that is struggling with food.