posted 09-25-2003 07:59 AM         

Here is what I did. I set up a new 55 to move my juvy red devil into. This female red devil being one of my prize fish I take very good care of and don't want to cycle the tank with her. As a result I bioseeded the new 55 with another 55 that contains a jack dempsy and a tigar oscar. Soon after this I found out the oscar had a parasite.

Here's where I'm at now. At the time I didn't want to tear it down and start over and still don't. Also I don't want to medicate a 55 with expensive meds. I have kept the bio system supported in the new tank by adding a small pinch of flakes to create a small amount of amonia to simulate a populated tank. My thinking was I'll find out later, well later was here yesterday and I still can't find anything on this subject.

So has anyone heard or does anyone know if a parasite can live without a host and how long. Please don't reply on a guess or a hunch I have plenty of those. If unable to verify that they cannot live I will medicate the empty tank.

(oops I clicked on a winker instead of a thinker)
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James (The Grateful One)