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Author Topic:   velvet
ceveretts
Member

Posts: 22
From:London, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Jan 2004

posted 02-27-2004 09:09 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for ceveretts     Edit/Delete Message
What is the best treatment for velvet? I had a fish die from it over a month ago. I have been treating the tank since with aquarium salt and Dessafin (active ingredient formaldahide). My silvermarble molly has had it ever since the fish died. He still acts the same and continues to eat and flirt with his mate, but the velvet is not going away! I realize that the prognosis is not good, but I can't give up. Ant advice would be appreciated.

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katanas_edge
Member

Posts: 266
From:Canada
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 02-27-2004 11:32 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for katanas_edge     Edit/Delete Message
*from fish.orburst.net*
Velvet (Oodinium)
Velvet is a parasite that is often confused as ich. The difference is, velvet is smaller and infects predominately the body and looks like a fine powder rather than salt sprinkles. Velvet attacks the body of the infected fish and is very contagious. Velvet is most likely caused by stress, poor water quality or chilling (sudden changes in water temperature). Velvet is a bit easier to cure than ich because the life cycle is shorter. However, this disease can prove fatal if left untreated.
Symptoms: Fish will dart around and flash or scrape its self against aquarium décor, appearance of fine yellowish or white dust on body, fins clamped and/or rapid gill fluctuation (breathing heavily).
Treatment: Increasing the temperature to 82°F and application of a commercial chemical treatment is most effective. It is also said that adding salt will aid the fish in its recovery as in ich.

If your fish sounds like this, common treatments are copper sulphate and formalin. Copper sulphate can be harmful to some fish (sharks etc. - read instructions before using) fish and they can both be damaging to invertabrates.

Isolate your fish in a quarantine tank (it can be a 5 gallon pail with an airstone) and treat it in there. The velvet parasite cannot live in the aquarium without a host for more than 24-48 hours. Also, copper sulphate can precipitate and then be released later if the PH drops, creating potentially toxic situations.

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katanas_edge
Member

Posts: 266
From:Canada
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 02-27-2004 11:37 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for katanas_edge     Edit/Delete Message
Also, you said that you've been treating your tank for a month. That is probably not a good idea without a break. Did you remove the activated carbon? It will neutralise most medications.

Place your fish in a hospital(quarantine) tank and begin treatment. A commercial brand that I've heard recommended by several sites/people is maracide (active ingredient: formalin).

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ceveretts
Member

Posts: 22
From:London, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Jan 2004

posted 02-27-2004 02:58 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for ceveretts     Edit/Delete Message
The first couple of weeks I left the carbon in. Then I took it out and just this morning I put it back in for the purpose of filtering the medication out. Thank you for the 5g pail and airstone idea! I wish I would have thought of that earlier! I know I need a hospital tank that I can use for breeding also, but I thought it had to cost a couple hundred bucks at least since I spent almost $700 to start the 65g.What a great idea for an emergency! I hope it is not too late. Thanks again!

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