When flukes, black ich or internal parasites lay eggs... Do the eggs remain inside the fish until they hatch? Or do they somehow exit the fish and then reinfect as larvae from the water column? TIA
Worm eggs
- Thread starter HumbleFish
- Start date
As far as gill flukes (Dactylogyrus) and black ich (turbellarian flatworms) I recall reading that the eggs cannot attach themselves to the gills or body and are washed out to the tank's substrate.
That makes sense. the newborn parasites want to find new hosts rather than infest the same host and eventually killing it.
That makes sense. the newborn parasites want to find new hosts rather than infest the same host and eventually killing it.
Newsmyrna80
Active member
Only speaking to oviviparous monogeans, such as neobenedenia, eggs are either laid directly on the fish or they are attached via a long filament which is also attached to the fish body. These long threads can be seen with the naked eye. Eggs are very, very sticky so they can not be knocked off such as when a fish scratches them self.
So, when doing a formalin dip to treat flukes/black ich, you would still need to do at least a second round 5-7 days after the first? Even if the fish was placed in an entirely different tank with new water after the first dip (to prevent reinfection from the source tank)?
Newsmyrna80
Active member
When I resorted to formalin dips for flukes I would do them 7-10 days apart depending on how infestation level.
Newsmyrna80
Active member
I did one after 7 days. Then 10 days later another dip then 10 days after that another dip.
Thanks :thumbsup:
Newsmyrna80
Active member
You're welcome
marin8n
New member
I'm in the process of trying to knockout some very stubborn flukes with Formalin dips. Based on my research, my plan is a 45-60 minute dip every other day for 10 days. I also moved the fish to a new QT after the first dip. Any alterations to that plan that you can recommend based on your experience?
Newsmyrna80
Active member
Too much! That's the protocol for brook. 20-30 minute dips as I outlined for Humblefish above. Read the stickie on flukes in the fish parasite stickie. It outlines the life cycle of egg laying flukes which are the hardest to eradicate.
marin8n
New member
I want to be aggressive as I have been treating with FW dips and PP to no avail for two months and the flukes are still present. From what I understand of the life cycle, formalin dips every other day would hit the egg hatching range with dips on the 4th and 6th day. Also, should I medicate the QT with anything while doing the dips?
Newsmyrna80
Active member
I understand your frustration. I fought these things for over 6 months with a couple of my fish. But even every three days is too much. The eggs do not hatch all in the same day or at the same time so at any given point a fluke egg will have hatched, the oncomiridium will begin its search for a host and it will attach itself to the host. This can happen within a matter of hours but it takes at least two more weeks for this fluke to grow up old enough to reproduce. In the meantime of course many other flukes have hatched and begun their life cycle. If you dip once a week you will get all of those that have hatched. In other words you can do a dip and kill five flukes, dip in another three days and kill five more, dip in another three days and kill five more or do just one dip in 10 days and kill 15. Easier on the fish, easier on you with the same results.
marin8n
New member
Thanks. That really helps to clarify. I'm all for less work as long as I get results. So I have already done one dip for 55 min on 8/17. If I dip again this Sunday and again the following Sunday, is 3 dips enough to ensure eradication? I know I can verify with FW dips but want a solid plan. Once I get a couple clean FW dips I will wait another two weeks before putting the fish in the DT.
I appreciate your help and sharing your knowledge and experience with these pests.
I appreciate your help and sharing your knowledge and experience with these pests.
Newsmyrna80
Active member
20-30 minutes is more than enough time. You should be just fine with that plan. Are you putting the fish back into the same QT? My protocol was to put them into a clean QT after a dip. Yes it is time consuming but it's the same concept as TT. Also after the dip I put the fish in a rinse bucket. In the event there are any lose flukes hanging on the bucket is a good place for them to fall off and it also rinses off the residual formalin. Then place fish into the new QT.
I'm glad I can help
I'm glad I can help
marin8n
New member
After the first dip he went into a clean QT. I won't be able to do the same after subsequent dips as the way my QTs are configured I have to take one out to clean the other. Hopefully the clean QT after the first dip made enough of a difference. I hadn't considered rinsing the fish in clean SW after the dip, I figured any residual formalin would be negligible, but I will consider rinsing after the next dip. Thanks for the advice and clarification. Cheers :beer:
Newsmyrna80
Active member
Welcome
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