Is this parasite?

[jonnyc88]

You are using gdex at the moment aren't you? The instructions say to do a water change on day 5 of up to 50%. And if necessary, repeat the three day treatment starting on day 8.

With ndx, it's a 1 dose course and you do a big water change after 24 hours; and if necessary repeat 14 days after the first dose.

Yup, I’m currently using gdex.

I am asking just in case I need to do water change before Day 5, hopefully not!

The instructions say repeat dose (Day 8+) for tapeworms I think,unless I am mistaken?

 

[AdoraBelle Dearheart]

So it’s been about 6 hours since first dose and I noticed that the barbs doesn’t immediately poop stringy poop after feeding. The fish also seem to school more now.

Nerrite snails and bamboo shrimp still alive.

Fingers crossed this is a good sign. I might consider skipping second dose if stringy poop stops by Day 5.

I wouldn't skip the repeat doses. Those are to kill any worms that hatched out after the first dose, since I don't think the meds kill the eggs, only the free swimming worms. Important to do the full course of meds even if the fish seem better so they don't get reinfected.

You could skip feeding while medicating too, to help reduce the chances of needing to water change. They'll be fine for a few days without food.

 

[Colin_T]

Normally with deworming medications you only have to treat once a week for 3-4 weeks. You shouldn't need to add more chemicals each day for a period of time.

Praziquantel and Levamisole kill intestinal worms within a few hours of being put in the tank water. Then the fish expel the worms over the next 12-24 hours. You do a big water change and complete gravel clean to remove the worms from the tank and re-treat the tank a week later.

 

[Essjay]

This is from the gdex instructions downloaded form eSHa's website

 

[jonnyc88]

I wouldn't skip the repeat doses. Those are to kill any worms that hatched out after the first dose, since I don't think the meds kill the eggs, only the free swimming worms. Important to do the full course of meds even if the fish seem better so they don't get reinfected.

You could skip feeding while medicating too, to help reduce the chances of needing to water change. They'll be fine for a few days without food.

Cheers. I probably skip feeding on some days to ensure the water parameters are ok.

I will re-dose as recommended.

 

[jonnyc88]

This is from the gdex instructions downloaded form eSHa's website

View attachment 116440

 

[jonnyc88]

Day 2 of treatment, looking good so far. Noticed less stringy poop and the ones I’ve noticed is much thinner. Noticed lots of tiny white spots in moss ball and leaf of plants. Could it be worm eggs?

A bit concerned about Nitrite as it’s slightly purple in the API water test kit but still under 0.25ppm. Will keep eye on this. Assuming it’s under 0.25ppm perhaps I could hold on until Day 5 for the water change.

 

[Essjay]

Under is OK but if it gets to even just 0.25, do a water change.

 

[jonnyc88]

Under is OK but if it gets to even just 0.25, do a water change.

Thanks for this @essjay. If I do a water change during treatment I will top up with the amount changed.

However what if I need to do water change on the days that doesn’t have dosing (e.g Day 4, Day 6&7) I suppose I don’t need to top up?

 

[Essjay]

If you add a dose do a water change on day 4, add the med for the amount of the new water only at the dose rate for day 3.
If you need to do a water change on days 2 or 3, do the water change then add the med at the dose rate for that day.
Day 5 says to do a water change anyway.
Days 6 and 7 don't need any med as the first course finishes on day 5.

If you do the second course, that starts on day 8. So as before, a water change on day 8, or 9 or 10, do the water change then add the med; if a water chnage is need on day 11 add med for the volume of new water at the dose rate for day 10; day 12 - you do a water change anyway.

Edited to correct info

 

[jonnyc88]

If you add a dose on day 4, add the med for the amount of the new water only at the dose rate for day 3.
If you need to do a water change on days 2 or 3, do the water change then add the med at the dose rate for that day.
Day 5 says to do a water change anyway.
Days 6 and 7 don't need any med as the first course finishes on day 5.

If you do the second course, that starts on day 8. So as before, a water change on day 8, or 9 or 10, do the water change then add the med; if a water chnage is need on day 11 add med for the volume of new water at the dose rate for day 10; day 12 - you do a water change anyway.

Crystal clear, thanks again for your help and patience, I really appreciate this as this is my first experience with parasites and meds.

I did partial water change today (Day 2) with 40 litres changed. I’ve re-dosed 20 drops on top of the 75 drops as the dosage is half drop per litre.

Stringy poop still there but so far fish are healthy. Going to complete 8 days dose first and if things don’t improve I will start another course with eSha ndx after 3 days.

 

[Essjay]

I have just realised I wrote the first sentence wrong - it is now corrected.

 

[jonnyc88]

I have just realised I wrote the first sentence wrong - it is now corrected.

Thanks again, I was bit anxious over this but relieved to have such good advice

 

[jonnyc88]

Just got a reply from eSha customer service and was advised not to use dechlorinators, especially Seachem Prime as it will reduce the effectiveness of the treatment. It was recommended to leave the water in a buckey over night to get rid of the chlorine. I've never heard of this method before and besides I don't have enough buckets...

 

[Essjay]

Leaving the water to stand won't get rid of chloramine though as it doesn't gas off. And according to another thread you have chloramine in your tap water.

Do I need dechlorinator?

The below is from my local water authority: The average chlorine concentration for this Public Water Supply Zone from January 2020 to March 2020 was

www.fishforums.net

With chloramine, there is no option but to use a dechlorinator if you do a water change even if that's while using medication. But Prime is a cocktail of chemicals and Seachem won't say what's in it. The dechlorinator with the least chemicals is API Tap Water Conditioner, though it does not detoxify ammonia.