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gill flukes are a real pita for dicus owners. many exp'ed keepers and breeders agree that total eradication, even in a closed system, is impossible. it has been reported that flukes even enter the bloodstream of the fish, and live and breed there. gill damage can be extensive if left unchecked. i would think that this is common for apistos as well, due to the fact that they have commonly been kept with discus, and have likely intermingled. this is for the tank bred fish the worst, as wilds have species that are more easily eradicated apparently.
there are reported to be thousands of species of 'flukes'. some are also reported to be very resistant to meds (like potassium permanganate and formalin based products). in fact improper use of these meds has likely caused them to have developed a high resistance to these meds.
i have heard that using formalin and pp does not kill the fluke. they will curl up and encapsulate on the bottom of the tank, and release their egg, which is impossible to kill with meds. this egg will hatch and a larva will float around the tank till it lands on a gill, and continues it's life cycle.
one way i've heard of, to clean up your fish, is to do a 4 hour formalin treatment, 37% for 4 hours at 1 ml per 10 gallon, then move the fish to a clean tank, and disinfect the first tank. this is repeated for 7 treatments, every 3- 5 days.
has anyone eradicated flukes in their hatchery, and have you proved this with a microscope, and how exactly did you do it?
rick
there are reported to be thousands of species of 'flukes'. some are also reported to be very resistant to meds (like potassium permanganate and formalin based products). in fact improper use of these meds has likely caused them to have developed a high resistance to these meds.
i have heard that using formalin and pp does not kill the fluke. they will curl up and encapsulate on the bottom of the tank, and release their egg, which is impossible to kill with meds. this egg will hatch and a larva will float around the tank till it lands on a gill, and continues it's life cycle.
one way i've heard of, to clean up your fish, is to do a 4 hour formalin treatment, 37% for 4 hours at 1 ml per 10 gallon, then move the fish to a clean tank, and disinfect the first tank. this is repeated for 7 treatments, every 3- 5 days.
has anyone eradicated flukes in their hatchery, and have you proved this with a microscope, and how exactly did you do it?
rick