What I would do is quarantine the fish in a separate tank and watch closely until I could determine just what I think the malady is. It just didn't sound to me as though that had been determined.
The problem with waiting is that if it is gill flukes, which I think quite possible, you can't really wait because by the time the fish shows any symptoms other than the initial flashing it's often too late to treat as the gills have been irreparably damaged.
I was reading that trematodes can massively infect the gills and not raise any inflammatory response. Then they move on to infect the fish internally without ever showing an outward sign. By the time you see a symptom like stringy white poop, the gills have been virtually destroyed.
EDIT: This is one of the reasons that I like methylene blue (if you don't mind the biofilter crashing). You can combine it with all known fish meds without concern for some negative reaction or synergistic effect. It immediately goes to work on a whole host of external problems (parasitice, bacterial and fungal) as well as helping repair the damaged hemoglobin of a nitrIte poisoned fish. I will be using it as a dip for all new fish before going INTO quarantine.
Thank you for your reply.
This is very interesting seeming my Platy has no other symptoms from what I described.
Can I ask please, when you say methylene blue crashes the biofilter, am I understaning correctly that this will destroy all the good/bad bacteria in the filter? (sorry if i have completely got this wrong).
Im not experienced in using meds (not had ill fish before) so any tips if I was to use Meth Blue? I know sometimes you have to be very careful with what your using, and I would be anxious with my lack of knowledge/experience.
I will certainly look into this med also.
Many thanks
It's no problem but I must go after this. If it is Ich, you might be able to see it on the fish's tail and other fins. It shows as a very small white spot. You may want to look at your other fish and see if they may have it. Having said that, sometimes the Ich can affect a fishs' gills and not show up anywhere else. I think, not totally sure however, to see gill flukes, you almost have to examine the gills. Personally, I would just go ahead and treat with Clout as it treats both and it is . I'm not familiar with the other medication you mentioned. If you can find a reliable medication that does treat both other than the Clout, I would try it. But always remember to watch any fish very closely when medicating because they can become stressed from it and a water change is necessary, most likely a 75% minimum right away. Sometimes you have to do 1/2 doses of meds depending on the fish you are treating. I have just read the box and it also treats Digenetic Flukes, Planaria, Parasitic Copepods, Monogenetic Flukes, Hexamita and Hydra. I'm in the USA and don't know if this medication is available where you are but I'm sure you could order it through the internet. Good Luck. I will check in later.
Yvonne - Thanks for this very helpful, I did have a look at the other fish, and cannot see any white spots. Will have a look tomorrow in the daylight.
Im afraid I have to go now, but I would like to say a
BIG THANK YOU to everyone for all your help and input, it realy is much appreciated. If my Platy could type she would say thanks too as she needs some help.
I will log back in tomorrow, and keep you all posted how things are going.
So glad I joined this website!!!
Bye for now everyone
