Usnea as a fish treatment

[Carl]

I updated my Aquarium answers article dealing with the use of usnea lichen as a fish treatment.
Based on both more research and my own (unfortunately more limited tests than I used to be able to conduct) this is really showing much promise.
Not only as a alternative treatment, but as an effective treatment when others do not work, even if my own results only show 25% effectiveness, that is usually after others have failed, which is a key point.

I have also found results in healing of gill tissue, and anti-parasite properties as well.

Usnea as a Fish Treatment/Remedy

Carl

[murdock6701]

I'd like to comment briefly here on usnea if I may - I have only used it once per Carl's instruction and generosity - it was introduced after one of my rams was in pretty bad shape and failed to repond to meth blue/salt baths or triple sulfa treatments - after adding the usnea concoction to the medicated baths over a 2-1/2 day period, I did notice a slight physical improvement in the fish, however, at that stage I believe the fish was too far gone to respond to any treatment

[goldenpuon]

Very interesting Carl. I didn't know usnea was a kind of lichen. I believe (as you noted in your article) Native Americans used lichen for healing purposes so that makes sense. I also find it interesting they we need a lot of the same things fish need like B6, B12, Calcium, and there is a vitamen for humans made of Bioleaf Extract like you can give you fish.

The only thing taht worries me after reading teh article is you mentioned Cauliflower disease and that it shows up as growths on a fish's fins primarily. My goldfish have had white spots for ages now (it is still there from when I treated for ich) and now the spots look like they're spreading out a bit, not in numbers but in size. For example, a 2mm spot on my goldffish Nemo is now maybe 3mm. (not absoluetly sure on these measurements.) It doesn't look like a tumor like you mentioned about Caulifower disease, it looks like white coloration. I'm not sure if I should be worried even though it is not spreading at all to the other fish. One of the goldfish that has it, Nemo is the same goldfish I showed you a video of.

Anyway, sorry fro the off-topic ramble. Great update. I found the article very well-written and interesting.

[Carl]

Cauliflower disease (AKA Lymphosysistis) is viral and rarely is fatal. Generally speaking the usual treatment of this this affliction is to let it run its coarse as you would a common cold in humans.

Usnea seems to speed this recovery and thus help check the chance of Cauliflower disease weakening a fish so as to allow another disease that is far more dangerous to take hold, which is the primary concern with Cauliflower disease.

If your fish have this "growth" for more that 4-6 weeks, then it is NOT Cauliflower disease, rather something else.

BTW, thanks John and Renee for the comments

Carl

[goldenpuon]

Well, it is not that since my goldfish have had it so long. Just discoloration. Thanks!