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Old December 8th 03, 02:47 PM
Harry Muscle
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Default Livebearer problem

"JHudson" wrote in message
news:ryuAb.26857$bC.2563@clgrps13...


OK, here's what my Handy Dandy Fishlopedia mentions about "What if my

fish
is too thin?" ...

- "Pathogenic, usually systemic, infection with bacteria"
- Fish TB is "particularly likely to cause" this
- "endo sitic protozoan infection (ie: neon tetra disease, hole in

head,
heterosporis)" ... doesn't mention anything specific to livebearers
- "Heavy infestation of endo sitic worms"
- "incorrect diet or long term shortfall in food intake"

The above doesn't really mention anything too specific, but I looked up

fish
TB in the same book and it mentions that fish TB is "fairly common in
aquarium fish, particularly gouramis, barbs, tetras, and livebearers."

My guess would be since the livebearers are particularly susceptible to

fish
TB, along with the other fish mentioned above, but if you don't have any

of
the above mentioned fish, then only your livebearers would be showing

signs.

Try reading up a bit on fish TB. The book I use is excellent, it's

called
the Tropical Fishlopedia by Mary Bailey and Peter Burgess.

Btw, here's what in mentions about a cu

"difficult to cure, although antibiotics such as kanamycin and

erythromycin
are sometimes effective."

Hope that helps,
Harry


Hi
Actually TB was my other choice, but it just doesn't seem right, but

flukes
don't either. I looked at the worst one and besides the weight loss, it

was
slightly red/pink in front of the . It had also been flashing and the
fins were also clamped. Thats why I thought maybe flukes, In the tank
there are also corys and a bulldog pleco and some live plants. How about
adding salt? Would salt harm the other residents? If it is flukes what

can
I treat the tank with that won't harm anything but the flukes(salt work?)?
LFS has Clout and Life Bearer for sure. I'm going to a bigger store on
Monday so maybe they would have Fluke Tabs or something else if I need to
treat for flukes. BTW I hate treating my tanks, but I don't any other
ideas. I change my water either weekly or bi-weekly(20%-25% approx) and

the
only thing I think that may not help is the pH being a little high.
What does your book say about gill and body flukes?
JHudson



It says quite a bit about both types of flukes, so I won't write everything
down here ... I'll try to summary a few of the points, especially the
treatment parts.

It mentions that with heavier infestations, gasping or increased breathing
rate is common (for the gill flukes). Also, flashing, scratching, clamped
fins, loss of appetite. For treatment it mentions to use bath immersion
with a proprietary anti-fluke remedy. Another possibility is bath immersion
using formalin or an anthelminthic such as praziquantel.

Under skin flukes it mentioned that severe cases can cause reddened skin
areas. For treatment it again mentions using a proprietary anti-fluke
remedy. It also mentions that salt can be used (but see my note about salt
below), as well as anthelminthics such as mebendozole. Also a bath in
formalin.

If you use any medications just always make sure you follow the suggested
dosages, bath times, etc. I would really recommend getting the book that
I'm getting all this info from, since there is lots more info about both of
these diseased in it, way more than I can quote.

The biggest problem I see with using salt in your main aquarium is that you
mentioned that you have corys. They are quite sensitive to salt and the
last thing you want to do is cure one fish and kill another. Salts baths
(in another small tank) might help, but I'm not sure if it would cure it.
You're probably best off getting medicine or if you go the salt way only
give the fish baths in it (ie: don't use it in the main tank).

Hope that helps,
Harry




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