Itchy Trigger
Active member
Last batch came from Blue Zoo. This one came from Live Aquaria.
Wound(?) on Side of Butterfly
- Thread starter Itchy Trigger
- Start date
Uronema tends to be chromis related almost exclusively although it can affect other fish if they are exposed to it. Since uronema does not require a fish as part of its life cycle, the concept of fallow does not apply like it would for the other common parasites. However you had a fair number of variables so I can analyze whether there was any possible contamination between quarantine cycles. Tanks used for QT should be sterilized and dry between usages if they have exposure to any parasite.
Was there any peeling of the skin?
Was there any peeling of the skin?
I tend to agree. I was unaware of your history of exposure to this parasite.
Itchy Trigger
Active member
As I mentioned both 10g quarantine tanks were left completely dry for three weeks after the last episode. There's no way whatever happened to these fish can be related to that, unless uronema can live for three weeks in a dry tank.
No, it cannot. It had to be introduced into your system either from new wet items or a residual wet item from the last problem.
Itchy Trigger
Active member
I didn't think so... So this means two consectutive shipments from two separate vendors have brought in uronema to my QT system. Unless this current issue is something other than uranema, of course, I think it's clear that my luck is atrocious. In any event, the remaining three fish are being treated with metronidazole now, which is what seemed to finally do the trick last time around. After they finish their stay in the 10g, they'll be moved up to the 35g (which has also been dried and sterilized), where they'll stay for 6 more weeks of observation, as well as prazipro treatment (once the metro is done).
Exasperated.
Itchy Trigger
Active member
Thank you for that, avandss. I appreciate it.
Yes, I've been so close to just throwing in the towel on several occasions over the last 6 months. And I do not give up easily! In any case, I'm determined to keep going. And so I shall.To update... The remaining fish (Latticed butterfly, one spot fox face and midas blenny) are looking good, and are about to be transferred to my 35g QT. Metronidazole is in the water, and this is what ended up eradicating the uronema last time around, so I'm fairly confident these guys will be ok.
Itchy Trigger
Active member
Glad to hear others are doing well. I agree with the previous comment, hang in there. Butterflies can be a PITA!
I'm hangin in! Thank you for the encouragement!
tylersarah
Member
I wasn't aware Metro is effective against uronema, you mentioned it worked the first time you had infected fish, are they still alive?
From Advanced Aquarist:
Treatment for uronema marinum:
It is crucial to begin treatment early before this parasite invades internal organs. Early stages of infection may be controlled with freshwater or formalin dips (Basiola and Gratzek,1992.). Some success has been reported with nitrofurazone and methylene blue (Chueng et al., 1980. Bassleer, 1983). Experimental treatments with anti-malaria drugs such as chloroquine and quinacrine hold some promise. Hydrogen peroxide can be effective against parasites on external surfaces, but it is not well tolerated by some fish. Systemic infections have a poor prognosis. Secondary bacterial infection is common. It may be wise to follow formalin or freshwater dips with a course of nitrofurazone treatment.
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2007/10/aafeature1#section-19
From Advanced Aquarist:
Treatment for uronema marinum:
It is crucial to begin treatment early before this parasite invades internal organs. Early stages of infection may be controlled with freshwater or formalin dips (Basiola and Gratzek,1992.). Some success has been reported with nitrofurazone and methylene blue (Chueng et al., 1980. Bassleer, 1983). Experimental treatments with anti-malaria drugs such as chloroquine and quinacrine hold some promise. Hydrogen peroxide can be effective against parasites on external surfaces, but it is not well tolerated by some fish. Systemic infections have a poor prognosis. Secondary bacterial infection is common. It may be wise to follow formalin or freshwater dips with a course of nitrofurazone treatment.
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2007/10/aafeature1#section-19
Itchy Trigger
Active member
Metronidazole - according to snorvich's sticky - is THE most effective treatment for it. And yes, it worked for me, and yes, those fish are still alive and happy in my 75g reef. On the other hand, I tried the formalin dips, and those were so stressful on both the fish and on me that I will never do them again.
