Treating PBT with Formalin

[sknoch78]

After doing some extensive reading, I am curious on peoples experience with treating a PBT with Formalin. Is it less impactful than using copper? I have read that copper is not a good choice for this fish. I currently have it in a 55g hospital tank and need to come up with a treatment plan as since I brought him home the ick has gotten worse. Fortunately he has a healthy appetite.

My current plan is to do Formalin dips in accordance with the article in Reef Keeping magazine. While also treating food with garlic and potentially dropping the salinity in the hospital tank.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Shawn

 

[sknoch78]

Can anybody help?

 

[Steven Pro]

I would use copper or hyposalinity (not both at the same time) over formalin. Both are proven effective. As to the concerns regarding tangs and copper, I have yet to see any actual proof, just internet rumblings. Despite these, I have treated many tangs with copper, even powder blues, without noticing any adverse reactions.

 

[Puffer Queen]

Formalin is not a proven method of eradication for cryptocaryon irritans. It is the treatment of choice for brooklynella.

I agree with Steven - hyposalinity OR copper. I prefer Cupramine over the other forms of copper.

I have used copper with many scaleless fish as well as tangs without problems. Make sure you have the appropriate type of test kit for the type/brand of copper you use.

 

[sknoch78]

Thanks for the input.