Sick Leopard Danio

[FishGuest5123]

I noticed yesterday that this danio is much thinner and swimming slowly with clamped fins. He’s hanging more or less in the same spot. Parameters are all in range. Nothing new added in months. Any ideas?

 

[Colin_T]

It looks like he has gill flukes and he might have intestinal worms. Treat the tanks for worms and see if it helps.

 

[FishGuest5123]

OK. Love how you’re Johnny On. The Spot. Going to treat now. Thanks!

 

[FishGuest5123]

I suppose treat gill flukes first?

 

[FishGuest5123]

I have General Cure.. That will treat both won’t it!

 

[Colin_T]

Praziquantel will treat gill flukes and tape worm.
Levamisole will do thread/ round worms.
Flubendazole might do all of them.

Treat all the tanks at the same time to prevent cross contamination.
Treat every week for 4 weeks.

Salt will treat gill flukes too. Use 2 heaped tablespoons of salt per 20 litres (5 gallons) of water. Keep salt in tank for 4 weeks.

 

[FishGuest5123]

OK. Thanks. Gill Flukes are a new one for me.

 

[Colin_T]

Gill flukes are just small worms that latch onto the fish's gills and suck their blood. The fish becomes emaciated and lose condition. Their gill covers stick out more and the fish get weaker before eventually dying from lack of blood. most fish have gill flukes when at the fish farms in Asia and don't get treated at the importers unless they are dying.

 

[FishGuest5123]

All tanks got a water change and then treatment. Thanks, @Colin_T! I guess I shouldn’t treat the shrimp tank, should I?

 

[Colin_T]

Shrimp can catch gill flukes but it's uncommon and they can usually pick them out so they should be fine. If you have fish in with the shrimp then treat them but make sure the medication is safe for shrimp. Most deworming medications should be shrimp safe but I'm not sure if Flubendazole is.

 

[Back in the fold]

Is that the only one you have? If so then he is bummed out because he has no friends. Remember that the Leopard Danio is a mutant cousin of the Zebra Danio. Perhaps he would also like a visit from them.

 

[FishGuest5123]

No, I have 7 of them. He should be a happy camper.