ASAP Quarantine procedures? (Mr. Achilles)

4FordFamily · Jun 16, 2016

R6REEFER said:
Any time brotha! Sorry to hear yours died :( Here he is right now after eating his Hex-Shield :)

Pretty fish, but has juvenile appearance - the smaller they are the more fragile they are. Be extra diligent!

Humblefish · Jun 16, 2016

Hex Shield should clear intestinal worms being it contains metronidazole.

However, Ick Shield (CP laced food) is probably only useful for disease management purposes as ich, velvet, etc. spend more time off fish than feeding on the host.

R6REEFER · Jun 16, 2016

Humblefish said:
Hex Shield should clear intestinal worms being it contains metronidazole.

However, Ick Shield (CP laced food) is probably only useful for disease management purposes as ich, velvet, etc. spend more time off fish than feeding on the host.

Yes, I learned today that the Ich-Shield shouldn't be used in display (harmful to corals) as they put the directions down INSIDE the food container... Hex-Shield is okay though, 3 day treatment in DT.

4FordFamily · Jun 16, 2016

R6REEFER said:
Yes, I learned today that the Ich-Shield shouldn't be used in display (harmful to corals) as they put the directions down INSIDE the food container... Hex-Shield is okay though, 3 day treatment in DT.

3 day hex shield "treatment"? I'm lost!

Humblefish · Jun 16, 2016

4FordFamily said:
3 day hex shield "treatment"? I'm lost!

Pellet food soaked in metronidazole (for treating internal parasites/intestinal worms): http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=30015

I'm unfamiliar with the process NLS uses to bind the medication to the food (freeze dried perhaps?); but if done correctly it should take around 10 days of feeding metro to clear a fish of intestinal worms.

This product does the same thing (plus adds in an antibiotic), and I would have more confidence in it's effectiveness: http://www.drgsmarineaquaculture.com/frozen-antibacterial.cfm

4FordFamily · Jun 16, 2016

Humblefish said:
Pellet food soaked in metronidazole (for treating internal parasites/intestinal worms): http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=30015

I'm unfamiliar with the process NLS uses to bind the medication to the food (freeze dried perhaps?); but if done correctly it should take around 10 days of feeding metro to clear a fish of intestinal worms.

This product does the same thing (plus adds in an antibiotic), and I would have more confidence in it's effectiveness: http://www.drgsmarineaquaculture.com/frozen-antibacterial.cfm

Good to know! You "learned" me something today my friend!

R6REEFER · Jun 16, 2016

4FordFamily said:
3 day hex shield "treatment"? I'm lost!

R6REEFER · Jun 16, 2016

I'm doing 5 though just to be on the safe side.

Renee180 · Jun 16, 2016

I'm confused on the QT and meds. Or even the hypo salinity. Do these methods kill/hurt the biological benefits/ organisims that are on the sponges or live rock? If so, how do you keep your ammonia levels down while using these methods?

Humblefish · Jun 16, 2016

R6REEFER said:
I'm doing 5 though just to be on the safe side.

Metro only kills worms, not any eggs they might leave behind. So, while 3-5 days of treatment will technically clear the worms ... what happens when the hatchlings arrive? ;) If you keep feeding for 10 days you will wipe out any hatchlings before they are mature enough to lay eggs of their own.

Renee180 said:
I'm confused on the QT and meds. Or even the hypo salinity. Do these methods kill/hurt the biological benefits/ organisims that are on the sponges or live rock? If so, how do you keep your ammonia levels down while using these methods?

Most meds will put a dent in your bacterial levels, but not enough to completely eradicate them. The nitrifying bacteria adapt to the presence of med(s) and quickly repropagate themselves.

R6REEFER · Jun 17, 2016

Humblefish said:
Metro only kills worms, not any eggs they might leave behind. So, while 3-5 days of treatment will technically clear the worms ... what happens when the hatchlings arrive? ;) If you keep feeding for 10 days you will wipe out any hatchlings before they are mature enough to lay eggs of their own.

Most meds will put a dent in your bacterial levels, but not enough to completely eradicate them. The nitrifying bacteria adapt to the presence of med(s) and quickly repropagate themselves.

*Keep in mind this is all preventative measures*

So say worst case he has worms (hypothetically saying). You think it'd be safe to treat for 10 days? There must be some sort of reason they put that time frame on the container. Most companies actually overshoot it so they can push more product. Also do you have any experience with this medication?

Renee180 · Jun 17, 2016

Humblefish said:
Metro only kills worms, not any eggs they might leave behind. So, while 3-5 days of treatment will technically clear the worms ... what happens when the hatchlings arrive? ;) If you keep feeding for 10 days you will wipe out any hatchlings before they are mature enough to lay eggs of their own.

Most meds will put a dent in your bacterial levels, but not enough to completely eradicate them. The nitrifying bacteria adapt to the presence of med(s) and quickly repropagate themselves.

Thanks Humblefish, what about when you use hypo salinity?

Humblefish · Jun 17, 2016

R6REEFER said:
*Keep in mind this is all preventative measures*

So say worst case he has worms (hypothetically saying). You think it'd be safe to treat for 10 days? There must be some sort of reason they put that time frame on the container. Most companies actually overshoot it so they can push more product. Also do you have any experience with this medication?

Not this specific medication, but I make my own DIY medicated fish food using metronidazole. Have fed it for up to 3 weeks to clear stubborn intestinal worms without issue to the fish.