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| Typical symptoms are ulcer-like wounds or bloody sites which later develop into large wounds, high mucus formation in the scales, fish scraping themselves on the bottom of the aquarium, and their fins clamp. They swim around at the surface gasping for air. Secondary bacterial infection may also develop. |
| Saving non-infected fish should be the primary treatment. Formaldehyde-Malachite green or Malachite green (Stock solution: 5.0 g/l of distilled water; beginning dose: 1 ml or 20-25 drops/100 l ) alone can be an effective treatment. Quinacrine (100-250 mg/100 l over 10 days) also can have a good effect. Highly concentrated methylene blue in short baths can be helpful. Freshwater baths can also be used. Combining different methods of treatment can sometimes yield to excellent results. Sometimes an antibacterial agent needs to be used, these are added to the aquarium or into thew methylene blue bath. Another antibacterial drug that is recommended is furaltadone or nifurpirinol (10-15 mg/100 l for an unlimited time or as instructed).
To ensure a successful treatment: injections of Metronidazole RTU q72 IM at 5mg/kg is effective, as is 50 mg, tubed into the stomach daily (A.D.M. Dove, pers. comm., 2002). |
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| Frequently found in weakened fish, freshly imported fish, and fish that are transported in poor conditions. It's counterpart in freshwater fishes is Tetrahymena pyriformis. The fish can have respiration problems because this parasite are also found in the gills. |
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