Snorvich, can you describe your treatment protocol for new arrivals.

[Reefahholic]

My buddy just lost $3,000 of Designer Clownfish to Brook.

Brooklynella kills faster than Crypto and Velvet.

So....

TTM - Gets only Crypto.

Copper- Gets both Crypto and Velvet.

Parazipro- Gets Flukes, Tapeworms, Flatworms, and Internal Parasites.

Formaldehyde- Gets Brook.

What's the best treatment to do first, second, etc.

When is it appropriate to just sit back, observe, and wait?

Do you ever do a Formalin treatment as a preventative? What is the minimal time needed to kill brook? What is the max time the fish can tolerate it? Can it be combined with Copper?

Or do you just observe for specific symptoms and treat each identified disease with the methods above? I'm sure ur doing TTM on everything no matter what right? Followed by Parazipro x2 also?

 

[snorvich]

My suggested protocol is to use tank transfer for all new specimens to insure against cryptocaryon irritans. 12 days and two 20 gallon tanks is all it takes.

The initial receiving tank is temp and SG adjusted to the bag water( SG a few points couple of points lower than the bagwater is ok but not higher) This obviates the need for drip acclimation and prolonged stays in bag water where pH can rise and ammonia toxicity can increase once the bag is opened. This is particularly important after prolonged stays in the bag.

During the 12 day tank transfer process ( 3 day stays 4 transfers, move fish on the morning of days 4,7,10,13) observe for other maladies. Since there are no meds to interact with in the transfer tanks which contain freshly mixed salt water aged and aerated overnight , use an ammonia detoxifier during each 3 day period. Bound copper products for example can't be safely used with ammonia detoxifiers as more toxic free copper occurs with lethal copper toxicity,even though total copper measures the same.

If there is reason to suspect infestation with brooklynellosis, velvet or flukes , do a formalin bath before starting treatment with copper for velvet, formalin for brooklynellosis or prazi pro for flukes.

Since not all maladies will present symptoms in the 12 days( flukes can easily be missed, velvet can take up to 30 days to present), use a larger cycled QT tank for an additional 2 to 4 weeks of observation depending on the condition of the fish with treatment as necessary.

Most fish receive no medications yet all are effectively prophylactically treated for ich,the most common killer

Ammonia is monitored and has never been an issue during the 3 day stay but a detoxifier is added just in case, The cycled tank takes care of itself.

BTW there is no need to worry about nitrite or nitrate.

 

[Reefahholic]

Really appreciate that Steve! I'm going as safe as possible this time. Fixing to order some tangs again and some other pricey fish. Don't want to lose any. Thanks for the great advice!
May 29th my 72 fallow days are over. Can't wait.

 

[Mrs. Music]

Thanks Steve.

 

[edsbeaker]

Steve, if I wanted to treat for flukes would it be OK if I use prazipro in both tanks during tank transfer?

 

[snorvich]

Steve, if I wanted to treat for flukes would it be OK if I use prazipro in both tanks during tank transfer?

Yes. Remember, Prazi would be effective for a single transfer and then leave a week in between for the second treatment.

 

[edsbeaker]

Yes. Remember, Prazi would be effective for a single transfer and then leave a week in between for the second treatment.

Gotcha, thanks!

 

[arom]

Snorvich, can you describe your treatment protocol for new arrivals.

So basically if you did the prazipro dosing during the 12 day TT the only other malady you would observe for is velvet and possibly brook? From what I've gathered velvet is far less common then ich?

 

[snorvich]

So basically if you did the prazipro dosing during the 12 day TT the only other malady you would observe for is velvet and possibly brook? From what I've gathered velvet is far less common then ich?

After TT, which eliminates ich if there was some, the remaining 30 days is for observation (either velvet or brook will display in that time period) and acclimation which is also important. This allows the fish to begin eating and gain adjustment to its captive environment.