Treating for Flukes

[Pigpen17]

I am sorry to be repetitive, but I had a few questions about flukes.

Short history.
I have been Fallow for Ich for about 4 months now just added my first fish out of QT, now I suspect it has flukes. I QTed for 3 weeks (I know, learning) and did not treat, just observed (I know, learning). It was doing so well!

It’s a Midas Blenny. Symptoms are slight flashing, yawning, but mostly swimming at the surface and swimming in the current. It also bites it own tail, but from what I have read in other Blenny posts, this might be normal. Color is good. Gills look good. No marks of any kind. Seems happy. Could this be Flukes?

It was showing no signs of anything in QT, so I was wondering, could I have had flukes in my DT? What is the fallow period to kill them off? I read the sticky, but this was not clear or I was missing it.

And if it is Flukes, from what I understand, I can treat my whole tank? Stock list is:

• Midas Blenny
• Cleaner Shrimp
• Emerald Crab
• Serpent Star
• Pom Pom Xenia
• Hermits and snails

Should I treat my whole tank? Are Flukes like Ich where my tank is now infested?

 

[Newsmyrna80]

I am sorry to be repetitive, but I had a few questions about flukes.

Short history.
I have been Fallow for Ich for about 4 months now just added my first fish out of QT, now I suspect it has flukes. I QTed for 3 weeks (I know, learning) and did not treat, just observed (I know, learning). It was doing so well!

It's a Midas Blenny. Symptoms are slight flashing, yawning, but mostly swimming at the surface and swimming in the current. It also bites it own tail, but from what I have read in other Blenny posts, this might be normal. Color is good. Gills look good. No marks of any kind. Seems happy. Could this be Flukes?

It was showing no signs of anything in QT, so I was wondering, could I have had flukes in my DT? What is the fallow period to kill them off? I read the sticky, but this was not clear or I was missing it.
The lifecycle without a host can be completed within a few days. An adult can live up to 6 days without a host. After an egg hatches the oncomiridium must find a host within 36 hours or it will die. A fluke cannot attack an invertebrate or coral. There are no reports of flukes or eggs lying dormant as in Cryptocaryon. Equipment can be cleaned with hot water and bleach and thoroughly dried. As with all parasites and diseases avoid cross contamination with hands, equipment, water and food.

And if it is Flukes, from what I understand, I can treat my whole tank? Stock list is:

• Midas Blenny
• Cleaner Shrimp
• Emerald Crab
• Serpent Star
• Pom Pom Xenia
• Hermits and snails

Should I treat my whole tank? Are Flukes like Ich where my tank is now infested?

Yes, your whole rank is infested. Some have used Prazipro in their reef tanks with little to no harsh effects. I have not done so. I have used it in a QT that had some Xenia. The Prazi ticked them off but they came right back within hours.

 

[Pigpen17]

Thanks for the response.

The lifecycle without a host can be completed within a few days. An adult can live up to 6 days without a host. After an egg hatches the oncomiridium must find a host within 36 hours or it will die. A fluke cannot attack an invertebrate or coral. There are no reports of flukes or eggs lying dormant as in Cryptocaryon. Equipment can be cleaned with hot water and bleach and thoroughly dried. As with all parasites and diseases avoid cross contamination with hands, equipment, water and food.

So if I was able to catch this guy, dip test for it Flukes and then treat in my QT, if I let the tank sit for 2 weeks the tank should be clear of them? Although from what I have been reading I sould treat twice, meaning the fish will be out for a month?

Yes, your whole rank is infested. Some have used Prazipro in their reef tanks with little to no harsh effects. I have not done so. I have used it in a QT that had some Xenia. The Prazi ticked them off but they came right back within hours.

That's probably the best route? Kill the whole tank of them and do it twice.



I must say I am disapointed. I have been out of the hobby for about 10 years, and I have had two fish in 5 months and both have been infested with parasites. This guy was from Divers Den as well, and it came inbound with flukes. I see now why you guys just assume that every fish is.

 

[Newsmyrna80]

If all of the fish have been exposed to the Blenny then all need to be treated. If you feel comfortable dosing Prazi in the main then go for it. I would be sure you have plenty of water and carbon on hand in the event you need to do a water change. You will have to do at least 2, if not more, doses.
It certainly appears that more and more livestock are coming in with parasites. Ten years ago I had not heard of flukes and in the last year nearly every fish I've bought have had them. And you are right, I treat every fish as if they do.
If you do dose the main let us know how it goes!

 

[Pigpen17]

If all of the fish have been exposed to the Blenny then all need to be treated. If you feel comfortable dosing Prazi in the main then go for it. I would be sure you have plenty of water and carbon on hand in the event you need to do a water change. You will have to do at least 2, if not more, doses.
It certainly appears that more and more livestock are coming in with parasites. Ten years ago I had not heard of flukes and in the last year nearly every fish I've bought have had them. And you are right, I treat every fish as if they do.
If you do dose the main let us know how it goes!

Will do. Thanks for your help.

 

[las]

So, 3 rounds of prazi is ideal? Should I Take a week break in between treatments?

 

[Allmost]

prazi itself advices 3 days between treatments.

since in most cases my fish eat less, I give them a week to eat and fatten up before the next round.

2 rounds work well for me. 4-5 days each, 4-5 days in between.

 

[Pigpen17]

I have held off treatment and I am back to observing. There are two problems.

1. I have never had a Blenny before, so I have no idea what "œodd" behavior is. I think the guy is just odd by nature.
2. It is showing multiple signs of many illnesses, but it's not acting sick. It's actually thriving right now.

It's "œsymptoms" are

1. It had white poop the other day. I've been watching for it to poop again, but haven't been there for "œthe event".
2. Yawing
3. Swimming at the surface and in the current
4. Flashing on a single rock, but I have only seen it do it about 1 time a day.

Other than that it swims around the tank fine. Eats well, and is generally active. If it is sick, should it not be acting sick? Are these all things that a healthy fish will do as well?

 

[Allmost]

when they start acting sick, then in most cases its too late to save them, so use the symptoms to your advantage.

Prazi is VERY safe ... and if poop is white then it has internal worms, you want to get rid of them so your fish can live long ... and since prazi is so safe ... I would not double think it and just go with it.

 

[Newsmyrna80]

I have held off treatment and I am back to observing. There are two problems.

1. I have never had a Blenny before, so I have no idea what "œodd" behavior is. I think the guy is just odd by nature.
2. It is showing multiple signs of many illnesses, but it's not acting sick. It's actually thriving right now.

It's "œsymptoms" are

1. It had white poop the other day. I've been watching for it to poop again, but haven't been there for "œthe event".
2. Yawing
3. Swimming at the surface and in the current
4. Flashing on a single rock, but I have only seen it do it about 1 time a day.

Other than that it swims around the tank fine. Eats well, and is generally active. If it is sick, should it not be acting sick? Are these all things that a healthy fish will do as well?

Symptoms 2-4 are indicative of flukes or at least something in the gills. Symptom 1 is internal/intestinal parasite. Blennies can be odd/comical in nature. I had a Midas Blenny that would spyhop. I would treat with Prazi. Flukes will not go away on their own.

 

[Pigpen17]

Alright. Starting asap.

Just so I have it straight in my head, if I am able to catch him, a few weeks of a fishless tank should be enough to clear my DT of them. I sure would like to do this all in my QT. Easier to retest him with FW dip when I'm done treating. Plus if he has internals as well...

If I can catch him. I've been standing over the tank when feeding to get him used to be being there. Might be able to net him. He's crazy fast though. I built the bottle trap as well. I can't see him getting in there though.

 

[Newsmyrna80]

LOL they can be very fast! Yes by the time you do 3-4 rounds of Prazi your main should be clear of flukes. I would do it in a QT. If you are worried about ammonia you could put a piece of LR in the QT.

 

[Pigpen17]

Couldn't catch him.

Just added Prazi to my DT. It's like it's snowing in there! White specks everywhere. ***? Are those all flukes?

My Zenia are all closed up, but everyone else seems ok.

 

[Newsmyrna80]

Could very well be flukes. Can you post a pic of some the specks? Xenia will bounce back. I have some on a piece of LR in the QT and it always does.

 

[Pigpen17]

Could very well be flukes. Can you post a pic of some the specks? Xenia will bounce back. I have some on a piece of LR in the QT and it always does.

I wish I would have thought of it at the time, but the specks died down pretty fast. They were sort of sesame seed shaped. Some large chunky stuff too. Crazy.

And yeah, Xenia is back this morning.

So waiting 5 days and then water change and treat again. I turned off my skimmer, and I am going to add my aeration power head from my QT to help bring up oxygen levels. Or I might just buy a stupid pump and airstone.

 

[Newsmyrna80]

Aeration is very important when dosing Prazi. I'm glad your corals and inverts are doing ok. What kind of corals and inverts do you have?

 

[Pigpen17]

Just a Xenia so far. Emerald crab, baby Serpent Star, Cleaner Shrimp, sails and hermits.

The tank is only about 4-5 months old. Staying fallow for Ich slowed me down a lot, but to be honest most of my fish money has been going into equipment.

 

[hogfanreefer]

I'm sure you read the instructions but you need your skimmer off as well as carbon reactor if you use one.

 

[Pigpen17]

Yeah my skimmers off right now. And in fact my tank is so quiet I kind a like it. I'm thinking about trying to change something here. Not sure what. I used to have one of those red sea air stone skimmers. Thinking about maybe that again. I love how quiet it is right now

 

[Pigpen17]

Alright. I am three + days into first treatment. Everyone is fine. Fish is still eating like a pig. A pig! Tomorrow I am going to do a water change and do my second treatment.

So far so good. I have not seen any flashing, and no yawning, but it still acts crazy, swims at the surface and in the current. I think my fish is just insane though.