Post by Carl on Apr 5, 2019 11:13:22 GMT -5
I've updated our popular and frankly very important article dealing with aquarium disease prevention
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquarium_Disease.html
Here is an excerpt:
"While not always related to "over-care" the slime (mucoprotein) coat can be damaged by rough handling (especially from fish nets).
Startling of the fish can also damage this mucoprotein coat as it runs into objects, especially if abrasive.
This slime coat can also be damaged by issues not necessarily related to over care such as too much salt being used which can help generate this mucoprotein coat, but too much has the opposite affect of destroying it.
Drastic pH swings, oxidizers and more can also damage the slime coat.
What ever the cause, loss of a healthy mucoprotein coat can result in many opportunistic infections such as fungus/saprolegnia to get a hold.
Reducers can help as well such as AAP/SeaChem Prime & especially StressGuard, along with products that restore slime directly (AAP Res-Q and Sheildex being far and away the best as per professional use) as well as AAP Wonder Shell mineral blocks to create constant mineral Cations to spur the mucoprotien coat.
Product Resources:
AAP Res-Q & Sheildex
AAP/SeaChem Prime & StressGuard
AAP Wonder Shells; Regular & Medicated
What Is Slime Coat in Fish?
Mucoprotein is what is commonly referred to as "The slime coat in fish". This is the primary barrier to most everything from microscopic bacteria, fungi, viruses and even large objects in the fish' environment.
This mucoprotein barrier is also essential in the osmoregulation working to keep essential fluids and electrolytes within the fish. Compare this Mucoprotein to a persons epidermis (skin).
Loss of this barrier is like you or I losing part of our skin and opens the fish to opportunistic infections."
Carl
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquarium_Disease.html
Here is an excerpt:
"While not always related to "over-care" the slime (mucoprotein) coat can be damaged by rough handling (especially from fish nets).
Startling of the fish can also damage this mucoprotein coat as it runs into objects, especially if abrasive.
This slime coat can also be damaged by issues not necessarily related to over care such as too much salt being used which can help generate this mucoprotein coat, but too much has the opposite affect of destroying it.
Drastic pH swings, oxidizers and more can also damage the slime coat.
What ever the cause, loss of a healthy mucoprotein coat can result in many opportunistic infections such as fungus/saprolegnia to get a hold.
Reducers can help as well such as AAP/SeaChem Prime & especially StressGuard, along with products that restore slime directly (AAP Res-Q and Sheildex being far and away the best as per professional use) as well as AAP Wonder Shell mineral blocks to create constant mineral Cations to spur the mucoprotien coat.
Product Resources:
AAP Res-Q & Sheildex
AAP/SeaChem Prime & StressGuard
AAP Wonder Shells; Regular & Medicated
What Is Slime Coat in Fish?
Mucoprotein is what is commonly referred to as "The slime coat in fish". This is the primary barrier to most everything from microscopic bacteria, fungi, viruses and even large objects in the fish' environment.
This mucoprotein barrier is also essential in the osmoregulation working to keep essential fluids and electrolytes within the fish. Compare this Mucoprotein to a persons epidermis (skin).
Loss of this barrier is like you or I losing part of our skin and opens the fish to opportunistic infections."
Carl