mattgoanna
Sun Jan 11, 2015, 09:40 AM
Just wanted to share this story for others who may have similar problems.
I got a batch of small fish that looked ok in the shop. Only half of them started eating when I got them home and within days one had started to hide a lot. Over a few weeks it became apparent that they most likely had hex. Stringy poo, not eating and in one case pimples on the head. I tried everything to treat them, including using metro and other discus worm treatments, but no improvement. Having a much larger collection to consider, I had come to the point where I decided it would be better to kill them to ensure I did not bring this into my collection. I had 7 discus, one bristle nose, one Angelfish and 8 Rummy Nose tetras in this tank.
So, out of options, I decided to try heat treatment as a last resort. I placed x2 300 watt heaters in the tank set to 34 degrees C. I also increased the oxygen to the tank and did a 25% water change every day. Within 24 hrs of starting the tank was 37 degrees C.
All discus and the angelfish become incredibly active and would not stop moving. Some started eating ok, while others were constantly begging for food, but then not eating or spitting it out. By day seven all fish were eating and I reduced the temperature to 31 degrees C.
I was always suspicious of the old heat treatment method, but I am convinced this killed the hex and most likely anything else they had. The growth on these fish is now excellent.
I suspect that the extra heat stimulates the immune system of the fish, places a lot of stress on the parasites and ultimately let's the discus win out.
I would be careful taking your fish to that temperature, but if you are out of options, then this one may be something to try. Unfortunately, the Rummy Nose and catfish died.
I got a batch of small fish that looked ok in the shop. Only half of them started eating when I got them home and within days one had started to hide a lot. Over a few weeks it became apparent that they most likely had hex. Stringy poo, not eating and in one case pimples on the head. I tried everything to treat them, including using metro and other discus worm treatments, but no improvement. Having a much larger collection to consider, I had come to the point where I decided it would be better to kill them to ensure I did not bring this into my collection. I had 7 discus, one bristle nose, one Angelfish and 8 Rummy Nose tetras in this tank.
So, out of options, I decided to try heat treatment as a last resort. I placed x2 300 watt heaters in the tank set to 34 degrees C. I also increased the oxygen to the tank and did a 25% water change every day. Within 24 hrs of starting the tank was 37 degrees C.
All discus and the angelfish become incredibly active and would not stop moving. Some started eating ok, while others were constantly begging for food, but then not eating or spitting it out. By day seven all fish were eating and I reduced the temperature to 31 degrees C.
I was always suspicious of the old heat treatment method, but I am convinced this killed the hex and most likely anything else they had. The growth on these fish is now excellent.
I suspect that the extra heat stimulates the immune system of the fish, places a lot of stress on the parasites and ultimately let's the discus win out.
I would be careful taking your fish to that temperature, but if you are out of options, then this one may be something to try. Unfortunately, the Rummy Nose and catfish died.