Flukes - Treatment

[baobao]

Lee,

I suspect that one of my Quarantine Tanks has flukes.

[Here's some background that you may choose to skip: Symptoms: hiding, no appetite, and frayed fins with some hemorraging (possible result of flukes). Treatment: 1) Medicating QT with Praziquantel based medication (Prazi-Pro) and Kanamicyn based anti-biotic (Kanaplex), 2) FW bath (30 minute duration), followed by Paraguard bath using QT saltwater (30-60 minute duration); Fish exhibit no stress to treatment which I started to implement about 2 days ago; However, no positive reaction so far to treatment above.]

Question: Could you provide detail on how you treat QT for flukes?

THANKS IN ADVANCE.

[leebca]

The word fluke is a bit like the word car. There are so many kinds and types that until it is narrowed down, there isn't much to recommend.

Normally a fluke-ridden fish is given scrapes, clips, and then diagnosed under a microscope.

Some flukes are responsive to the treatment you've given. Others are more likely affected by organophosphates. Still others have a range of other treatments.

If your worry is fluke-contaminated QT water, then a second QT with freshly prepared water, matching the exact parameters of the original QT water is an option. This however, is not the norm.

If your question is more towards the cleaning of the QT after treatment, then with the use of that list of chemicals, you want to clean with hot water with mild liquid soap in it (2 tsp/gallon). The soapy water is made up of tap water. Rinse many, many times in tap water, then many, many more times in RO/DI or similarly processed source water. Let the QT go bone dry. Then it is ready for its next use.

I may be able to help more if I could see a few good photos of this fish. Also, where exactly is the hemorrhaging taking place?

[baobao]

baobao Comments - BLUE

Normally a fluke-ridden fish is given scrapes, clips, and then diagnosed under a microscope.

Does this, http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=18343, have sufficient magnification? (Up to 400 x magnification)

Some flukes are responsive to the treatment you've given. Others are more likely affected by organophosphates. Still others have a range of other treatments.
Wow! Hope getting a microscope would help?
What are organophosophates?

If your worry is fluke-contaminated QT water, then a second QT with freshly prepared water, matching the exact parameters of the original QT water is an option. This however, is not the norm.
I like your idea of preparing fresh water and moving fish to another QT. I'm a little leery about this approach.
Even assuming I conduct the FW & Paraguard dip before the move, wouldn't the fish still carry with it the fluke or whatever ailment is has?

If your question is more towards the cleaning of the QT after treatment, then with the use of that list of chemicals, you want to clean with hot water with mild liquid soap in it (2 tsp/gallon). The soapy water is made up of tap water. Rinse many, many times in tap water, then many, many more times in RO/DI or similarly processed source water. Let the QT go bone dry. Then it is ready for its next use.
Defnitely will do this!

I may be able to help more if I could see a few good photos of this fish. Also, where exactly is the hemorrhaging taking place?
OK, I will do this, but not at the location until tonight. The fish are triggerfish and I can tell you the hemorraging are localized - I see red stripes on its dorsal fins. Pectoral fins are rotting away and kept clamped close to body.

[leebca]

Flukes in general should be visible in that range of magnification. You'll need some form of reference to identify what it is you're looking at.

Organophosphates, like the name implies is a group of organic molecules which are complexed with phosphate radicals. Although the product Clout contains an organophosphate, it also contains ingredients which are poisonous to marine fishes. So that is one to keep away from. Check the ingredients of products sold to treat flukes in marine fishes for this component.

If the fish is undergoing the bath treatment for flukes, and the flukes are susceptible to the treatment, then the flukes on the fish are killed. The fish won't be carrying the living flukes anywhere.

Your description of the fish doesn't indicate flukes as much as it indicates a systemic bacterial infection. Still, I'd like to see photos. Get the water quality parameters of where the fish is kept now. Look for dirt, detritus, and an unkept/improperly maintained system, any build up of proetins in the water, or anything dead that might account for an increase in bacterial content in the water.

[markx27]

While using Cupramine in QT, is it okay to use fluke worming tablets (Praziquantel) in with Cupramine? Will it do any harm?

[leebca]

If the de-worming med is administered by mouth (putting it into the fish food) there is no problem at all. If it is a water treatment, I would wait until after the copper treatment.