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| Fish Lice; Ectoparasites | |
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| Topic Started: Jul 19 2008, 10:55 AM (99 Views) | |
| Mentat | Jul 19 2008, 10:55 AM Post #1 |
Peacemaker
  ![]](http://209.85.122.87/static/1/pip_r.png)
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Many times we see our fish acting funny. They dart, scratch, get spooked for no reason. Sometimes it happens frequently, other times appears random or in a cycle way. And then, a tank change or stress can make it go worse and it starts affecting fish more by causing loss of appetite, spasms and aimless swiiming. We test the water and a find all parameters ok; but you know something is not right... but what? Fish Lice are a group of parasitic crustaceans belonging to the subclass Branchiura. Almost all are ectoparasites on fish and belong to the order Argulidae with around 200 species. They live in their hosts attached behind the fish's operculum, where they feed on mucus and sloughed-off scales, or pierce the skin and feed on the internal fluids. Also, they can leave their hosts for up to 3 weeks and go free swiiming, mate, lay eggs, etc. before reattaching themselves. Because they hide behind the gills it's hard to spot them, but the effects on your fish are an easy telltale. To kill them any good anti-parasite medication will do. Best I've found so far are "Fluke Tabs" by AP and "Parasite Clear" by Jungle. They are both effective and never had a problem with bio-filter when using either. Fluke Tabs are my first choice! They work very well and got a very sick and weak fish cured overnight. Per Lucky's recommendation you treat 1 tab per 10 gallons on day one and retreat on day 2 after a 30% water change. Jungle recommends up to 2 re-treatments with Parasite Clear (days 3 & 5) with 25% water change in-between. Normally I do 2 treatments total. Fish lice can easily move from tank to tank if you share maintenence equipment among them. So... either treat all the tanks at same time or do not share equipment and wash hands between tanks when cleaning. Also, using live aquatics for feed will re-introduce the nasty critters into your tanks. |
| In dwelling, live close to the ground. In thinking, keep it simple. In conflict, be fair and generous. In governing, don't control. In work, do what you enjoy. In family life, be completely present. - Tao Te Ching | |
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| petah | Jul 19 2008, 01:09 PM Post #2 |
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15" 3x Champions
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great info bro.. but are those the only signs or are their more? |
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| Mentat | Jul 19 2008, 07:25 PM Post #3 |
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Peacemaker
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Those are ones I know of  ; do you know of others?
Edited by Mentat, Jul 19 2008, 07:26 PM.
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| In dwelling, live close to the ground. In thinking, keep it simple. In conflict, be fair and generous. In governing, don't control. In work, do what you enjoy. In family life, be completely present. - Tao Te Ching | |
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| petah | Jul 19 2008, 08:38 PM Post #4 |
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15" 3x Champions
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nope sorry bro.. Its just that I never heard of fish lice and I thought they just behave like that because of the temperature.. but anyways thanks for the head up. 
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