Fish constantly dying.

[Humblefish]

I think the velvet life cycle is something like ich, only much faster. Been quite some time since I've really researched it.

Here is a nice overview: http://www.ultimatereef.com/articles/marinevelvet/

Good suggestion above, but that will do little to nothing for velvet. I like humbefish's idea that he does not yet endorse- it's somewhat of a hybrid. 10 days in cupramine or CP, then one tank transfer, then back to another tank for monitoring. This is shorter and addresses both parasites. I will be a guinea pig for this method. With what I know about ich and velvet, I see absolutely no reason why this would not work. I may do two total transfers to be extra "safe". That's still 16 days.

I'm about halfway thru experimenting on my second set of fish. So far, so good. :D If I can successfully experiment on a third fish (preferably, a tang); I will post all my findings in a very lengthy/detailed thread. Gotta give a shout out to Petco for providing me with fish with ich/velvet to experiment on. ;)

 

[4FordFamily]

Here is a nice overview: http://www.ultimatereef.com/articles/marinevelvet/



I'm about halfway thru experimenting on my second set of fish. So far, so good. :D If I can successfully experiment on a third fish (preferably, a tang); I will post all my findings in a very lengthy/detailed thread. Gotta give a shout out to Petco for providing me with fish with ich/velvet to experiment on. ;)

lol poor petco (and poor fish)

 

[Triggreef]

Here is a nice overview: http://www.ultimatereef.com/articles/marinevelvet/



I'm about halfway thru experimenting on my second set of fish. So far, so good. :D If I can successfully experiment on a third fish (preferably, a tang); I will post all my findings in a very lengthy/detailed thread. Gotta give a shout out to Petco for providing me with fish with ich/velvet to experiment on. ;)

I just read that whole article. It pretty much reaffirmed that there is not good way to prophylacticly treat it other than a heavy dose of copper.

 

[Humblefish]

I just read that whole article. It pretty much reaffirmed that there is not good way to prophylacticly treat it other than a heavy dose of copper.

I've come up with a "salvage protocol" for velvet (see below). It is very similar to snorvich's. I will be testing it out once I am done with the CP/ich experiments.

- Give an infected specimen a 5 min FW dip, adding Methylene Blue at double the recommended dosage. I will use RODI water for the dip, temp & pH matching the water the fish is coming from. You can squirt a little freshly mixed SW into the dip just before the fish goes in, to help bring the pH up. I will also aerate the water heavily for at least 30 minutes prior to doing the dip, then discontinue aeration while performing the dip.

- Following the FW dip, the fish will immediately get a formalin bath (using Formalin-MS) for 30-45 mins. The bath will be done in a large GLASS bowl or container, using freshly mixed SW aerated heavily for at least 30 minutes prior. SG/temp matched and aeration running heavily throughout the duration of the bath. The fish should be placed in a premixed bath solution. DO NOT add more formalin after the fish is already in the bath.

- Following the bath, the fish will be placed in a QT pre-dosed with Chloroquine phosphate (CP) at a rate of 60mg/gal. Provide heavy gas exchange in this QT by pointing a powerhead or two towards the surface. Fish will be treated with CP for 2 weeks.

- If a secondary bacterial infection arises (very common in fish with velvet), Furan-2 may be used. Also, the powder form of metronidazole and praziquantel may be used in conjunction with CP, if needed.

- It is imperative that the temp remains constant every step of the way. From the tank the fish is coming from, to the CP QT he ultimately goes into. And every step in-between. It is also important that SG matches; from the tank the fish is coming from, to the formalin bath water, to the CP QT. Ensuring this and providing plenty of O2 reduces stress on the fish during this traumatic process he has to go thru.