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Post by Carl on Dec 28, 2010 11:03:48 GMT -5
Renee, While I realize that these Black Phantom Tetras are normally more plump, I was thinking exactly what Bill was as I scrolled down and then read his comments (I found it interesting & confirming that he thought exactly as I did).
I am not saying he does not look weak, he most definitely does, but I too have seen much thinner. I also did not see obvious signs of disease, such as Aeromonas, Columnaris, etc.
My thoughts are to continue with treatment, and although I know you do not like to use Methylene Blue, this would be my first coarse of action if I was making a "house call" to a client.
Carl
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Post by bikeguy33 on Dec 28, 2010 13:46:06 GMT -5
Renee....i would also like to mention 1 more thing. A hospital tank is supposed to be clean and almost sterile aquatic environment...but at the same time, the tetra will be more comfy with something in the bucket like maybe a plant. this to me is very important especially for a skiddish fish such as this one. a little more comfy and this fish will be able to utilise the meds better when the stress level is down.
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Post by goldenpuon on Dec 28, 2010 16:20:18 GMT -5
Thanks for the input guys. It is very reassuring to know that this fish is not as far gone as I thought.
Bill, I do have two plants in there as well as a heater, and bubbler.
What I took pictures/video of the fish in was a quart container. I trouble getting anything close to a desent picture in the 3 gallon isolation container so I put her in a small quart container for the pictures. That is why it looks like there are no plants/hiding areas. I put her back in the main isolation area after I took the pictures and video.
I found the Parasite Clear and treated the female in isolation with an amount very close to a full dose. (I am keeping a close eye on her for any signs of stress from it.) As well, I gave the main tank Anti Parasite food and they ate it well.
Since I put the female in isolation, her color has improved. However, I am still not sure if she is eating. As well, her breathing does not seem rapid like before.
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Post by goldenpuon on Dec 31, 2010 12:14:00 GMT -5
The tetra is still not eating as far as I can see.
As well, I saw her with a long strongy white stool yesterday. She also seems to be having a bit of trouble as far as swimming. (I may be wrong but she seems to be trying to readjust her position a lot in the current from the bubbler. This started yesterday evening)
I have been treating her with Kanplex and Parasite Clear. I have not noticed any definite signs of overmedication but her rapid breathing is concerning me. (She is not gasping at the top.)
I tested her water yesterday right after a water change (the numbers may have been off because I added Prime) but the nitrite was 0 and the nitrate just barely registered.
EDIT: I realized that her rapid breathing was from overmedication. She began going to the top fairly often (not too badly but enough for me to confirm why.)
I have been doing 25% water changes every two days (as directed on the Parasite Clear box). As well, the Kanaplex in the morning to afternoon and Parasite Clear at night, to avoid overmedicating by giving the fish all of the medication at once. I also have a LOT of aeration fro the fish.
I changed 30% of the water and will change more if I need to tomorrow.
I think I need to discontinue treating for a few days.
Any ideas on how I can use these two medications without overdosing the fish but still having the medications work just as well?
I am thinking of doing a 10-15% water change every day and adding the Kanaplex one day and then the Parasite Clear the following day to prevent too many meds in the water. Does that sound like a good idea?
Thanks.
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Post by bikeguy33 on Jan 1, 2011 18:22:10 GMT -5
that will help. as well you can cut the meds in half and go for a longer treatment time...
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Post by goldenpuon on Jan 1, 2011 21:13:05 GMT -5
If I use only 1/2 the dose of Kanaplex and 1/2 the dose of Parasite Clear, will the treatment still be effective?
Also to clarify, Bill, did you mean half the doses of both meds and use them both at once or complete treatment for first medicine first and then complete treatment for the other after?
For an update on the fish, I checked on her last nigth and she seemed to be going to the top a lot even after the water change. I added a carbon and luckily today, she is not hanging around the top.
I am going to do another small water change and wait another day or two before I resume treatment so the fish can recover from the overmedication.
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Post by bikeguy33 on Jan 1, 2011 21:19:21 GMT -5
if you are in fear of over medicating, the half doses at the same times you are dealing with now should suffice. the meds wont change things as quickly at half dose but they will still be effective...
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Post by goldenpuon on Jan 2, 2011 0:55:53 GMT -5
Thanks again for the help Bill.
I hope I am not asking too many questions. However, I have one more.
Both the Kanaplex and Parasite Clear can be added a maximum of 3 times with treatments every 48 hours making the total treatment time for both 6 days.
Since I will be using a half dose of both, would you recommend I extend the treatment time?
If needed, I can do the normal 6 day treatment, wait a few days and change 50% of the water and then resume treatment for another 6 days or however long until the fish has recovered. (I have heard this is a safe way to give a fish more than one full round of treatment without harming the fish.)
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Post by bikeguy33 on Jan 2, 2011 1:08:48 GMT -5
if you are going to cut the doses in half you should close to double the days for treatment. continue with frequent small water changes of 25% every other day.
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Post by goldenpuon on Jan 2, 2011 14:56:48 GMT -5
Thanks. I will do that.
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Post by goldenpuon on Jan 4, 2011 16:29:00 GMT -5
Unfortunately, I never got to start medicating the female tetra again. She was still ot doing well enough for me to start.
She was swimming in circles disoriented yesterday and today I had to euthanize her. Right after I captured her for this, she was laying on her side almost.
R.I.P Female Black Phantom Tetra.
I feel bad for the fish that mixing the Kanaplex and Parasite Clear hurt her even though I tried to be careful after Carl said to use caution when using those two meds together. But at least I have learned from this.
Renee
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