karin
Fish Herder
So I got a young (2.5 inch) red spot severum. He was shipped to me along with his brother. After 2 weeks in my tank, I started noticing that some of his scales looked splotchy and grey. I thought he was being harassed by his brother so I removed brother to another tank. Now I think it is costia or ichthyobodo nectrix. It looks like grey peeling skin like we might get after a sunburn. At this time the grey stuff covers maybe 5% of his body if I consolidated it mentally, but in fact is spread along his body. His fins are nice and full. He eats well and is active and does not hide. NO FLASHING AT ALL. It has been 4 weeks since he has been in the tank. Here is what I'm trying based on an internet search.
Since no other fish are exhibiting signs of costia (I know it is contagious but also read it is a protozoa that appears to attack young and stressed fish and leaves healthy fish along.) I have pulled this fish out and given him 3 hour baths in a double dose solution of formalin/malachite green (Quick Cure) and then returned him to the clean tank. He has tolerated two of these baths well but due to vacation these had to be a week apart. I am doing 25% water changes in the main tank every 5 days. I plan to continue this for two more baths over the week.
I read straight formalin is better but that was only at one site. Anyone have any other experience with this?
For reference.
Main tank is 60 gallons (and as soon as our snow melts I have spousal approval for a 130 gallon tank or so) set up for over a year now.
Filtration: Eheim 2215 and an Aquaclear 70.
25C
Water stats are Ammonia 0 Nitrite 0 and Nitrate ? 40-80
Lives with 2 angels, 7 congos, a 4 inch rotkeil severum and 2 cupid cichlids, 2 bristlenose plecos and a snail.
Substrate sand, planted tank with lots of hiding places
Since no other fish are exhibiting signs of costia (I know it is contagious but also read it is a protozoa that appears to attack young and stressed fish and leaves healthy fish along.) I have pulled this fish out and given him 3 hour baths in a double dose solution of formalin/malachite green (Quick Cure) and then returned him to the clean tank. He has tolerated two of these baths well but due to vacation these had to be a week apart. I am doing 25% water changes in the main tank every 5 days. I plan to continue this for two more baths over the week.
I read straight formalin is better but that was only at one site. Anyone have any other experience with this?
For reference.
Main tank is 60 gallons (and as soon as our snow melts I have spousal approval for a 130 gallon tank or so) set up for over a year now.
Filtration: Eheim 2215 and an Aquaclear 70.
25C
Water stats are Ammonia 0 Nitrite 0 and Nitrate ? 40-80
Lives with 2 angels, 7 congos, a 4 inch rotkeil severum and 2 cupid cichlids, 2 bristlenose plecos and a snail.
Substrate sand, planted tank with lots of hiding places
