Joel Posted May 13, 2009 Share Posted May 13, 2009 Hello all, Lately I have had the odd fish turn up with symptoms of dropsy, or fish in general flicking their gills against rocks/substrate etc. This is mainly happening in my pleurospillus juveniles and a few of the adult mbuna. I have had a few losses. I am thinking that there is some kind of parasite affecting the fish, but cant be sure. The system I have is 12 tanks holding approx 2000L of water. I am unable to isolate the affected tanks from the system. I was wonderring if I there would be any problems putting a broad spectrum parasiticide through the system to sweep all tanks for any parasites? Even if its only for peace of mind? Has or does anyone do this periodically as a precaution? maybe say every 6 months or so as an example. Does anyone see a problem in doing this? I keep a mix of Tanganyikans and Malawi - from fry to breeding adults I had tested the water last week for nitrates - around 20mg/L. I do 20% water changes weekly. Meanwhile, I am treating a demasoni with symptoms of dropsy with epsom salt baths. Thanks for any advice Cheers Joel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcloughlin2 Posted May 13, 2009 Share Posted May 13, 2009 Adding medications as a precaution lowers the fishes immune system, creating a weaker fish that when sold will often be alot more prone to parasites and bacteria. Treating every 6 months will have no effect in controlling parasites anyway. Most parasites life cycle is alot shorter then that so they will just be active in the time between treatments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joel Posted May 13, 2009 Author Share Posted May 13, 2009 Hey, Even medicating them once will significantly reduce their immune system? or if it was done often? I would be looking at doing it once only, seeing they show symptoms of dropsy which is usually caused by a parasite or bacteria. Thanks Joel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcloughlin2 Posted May 13, 2009 Share Posted May 13, 2009 Treating them when it is known they have something - whether that be parasitic or bacterial is OK and won't have any long term effects on their immune system. Treating them as a precaution as regularly as you would need to to prevent them contracting something will significantely lower their immune system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joel Posted May 14, 2009 Author Share Posted May 14, 2009 Thanks for clearing that up mcloughlin. I was just wonderring. Are parasites forever present in the aquarium? like white spot for example. I was thinking (hoping) that once you treat the tank you wont need to again, unless a parasite is introduced again via new fish. Cheers Joel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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