Buying Fish from the Pet Store
Today I bought 3 corycats from the Petco today. They were quite inexpensive at $3.45 each! After I buy new fish, I always drive home directly so that their time in the bag is minimized.
Quarantine Tank
One of the biggest mistakes for beginner fish-keepers is to dump the new fish, water and all, into an already established tank. Pet store fish are usually stressed from their trip from the breeder to the store, causing their immune systems to weaken. They are further stressed from the the trip from the store to your house. Many fish fall sick and die within the first two weeks of their purchase. How do we prevent our new fish from dying? The answer: Quarantine Tank (QT for short)!
From reading the fish forums, I learned that many fish-keepers complain that they have no space for a quarantine tank, or it seems that a QT is too expensive since it's used so rarely. Why use an expensive, large, fragile glass tank, when you can use a small plastic storage bin? I use a Sterilite plastic container from Target.
Sterilite Plastic Container
It has a small footprint of approximately 15"x10"x11" and is 5 gallons if filled 75%. It's see-through, has a lid, and easy to pick up and move around, even if it's half-full!
I fill the plastic container with luke-warm dechlorinated water (I use Safe
from Seachem). Then I drain most of the water from the fish bag. I prevent the fish from falling into the sink by "pinching" the bag above the fish so that only that water will fall into the sink. This video demonstrates how I drain the water from the bag. Some fish-keepers drain their water over a net so that the fish fall into the net. Use this method if you feel that you may accidentally dump your fish down the sink.
from Seachem). Then I drain most of the water from the fish bag. I prevent the fish from falling into the sink by "pinching" the bag above the fish so that only that water will fall into the sink. This video demonstrates how I drain the water from the bag. Some fish-keepers drain their water over a net so that the fish fall into the net. Use this method if you feel that you may accidentally dump your fish down the sink.Filtration and Air
I use a sponge filter with blue silicon tubing attached to an air pump. I also use a check valve to prevent any electrocution and floods should the water back up into the pump. Valves should be used in every air pump situation.
A fish-keeper recommended that a heater be used with QT and I agree that it's preferable to keep the fish as comfortable as possible in QT. For most tropical fish, 78 degrees F is a good temperature. For discus, I would bump temperature up to 80.
A fish-keeper recommended that a heater be used with QT and I agree that it's preferable to keep the fish as comfortable as possible in QT. For most tropical fish, 78 degrees F is a good temperature. For discus, I would bump temperature up to 80.
Hydro One small sponge filter from Aquacave.com
Check valve and air pump. Air valves prevents accidents.
QT tank with sponge filter and air pump.
Methylene Blue
My QT method is a Methylene Blue (MB for short) bath to help boost the fish's immune system as well as prevent bacterial, fungal, or parasitic outbreaks. MB is a chemical with many benefits for stressed and/or sick fish:
- It is gentle to fish and does not cause them any stress.
- Increases oxygen absorption in fish. Fish that have been in high ammonia environments like their shipping bags often have damaged gills. Methylene Blue helps fish increases their ability to absorb oxygen from the water.
- Both a bactericide and fungicide. It is often used by fish breeders to prevent fungus infection on eggs.
- An anti-protazoan that kills a common parasite, ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis).
- Absorbed in the body to treat internal infections. Methylene blue is easily absorbed through the fish's gills and skin to help fight internal infections. It also assists the absorption of antibiotics when used used together in a bath.
- No build-up of resistance. Since Methylene Blue is not a "drug", the pathogens do not build up a resistance to it.
How To Use
Methelyne Blue is a solid blue powder that is easily mixed with water to produce a blue solution. I buy a pre-mixed solution called Kordon's Methylene Blue
. Since it stains everything a blue color permanently, I suggest you pour it into a measuring spoon over a stainless steel sink, or a plate so that you don't stain your countertops or sinks. Then directly pour into the QT and mix with the spoon. The water will become a very dark blue.
. Since it stains everything a blue color permanently, I suggest you pour it into a measuring spoon over a stainless steel sink, or a plate so that you don't stain your countertops or sinks. Then directly pour into the QT and mix with the spoon. The water will become a very dark blue.
Use a dedicated spoon and a plate when using Methylene Blue since it stains everything.
Water Changes
Since MB kills nitrifying bacteria, water in the QT must be changed at least 100% a day. To reduce fish stress, you can change 50% of the water in the morning, and 50% in the evening, and redose 50% of the chemicals and/or drugs every time.
I use a cheap pump purchased from Walmart and a length of 5/8" vinyl hose (can be purchased at Home Depot) to quickly pump out water directly into my kitchen sink or a large 5G bucket.
I use a cheap pump purchased from Walmart and a length of 5/8" vinyl hose (can be purchased at Home Depot) to quickly pump out water directly into my kitchen sink or a large 5G bucket.
Maxi-Jet 900
pump and 5/8" vinyl hose
pump and 5/8" vinyl hose
Water change using a pump
Further Treatments
New fish should be quarantined for at least two weeks. I use Methylene blue for the first week, every other day) and clear water with no treatment the following week, and continue with 100% water changes daily. During this final week, the fish should be closely observed for strange behavior, and disease.
Ich
Ich is a protazoan parasite that often affects weakened fish. This disease is characterized by white raised round dots that cover the body of the fish.
If there is an ich breakout during the second week of quarantine, I use a milder ich treatment that is designed for scaleless fish, such as plecos and corycats, called Ick Guard II
. It contains formalin, victoria green, nitromersol, and acriflavine. It effectively kills the ich parasite without causing too much stress on the fish. It also treats any secondary secondary fungal and bacterial infections.
To treat ich, raise the temperature of the QT using a small aquarium heater to 80-90 degrees F and treat with Ick Guard II every other day for a 2 weeks, with daily 100% water changes. Raising the temperature increases the speed of the parasite life cycle, forcing the mature parasite to break out of the ich spores so that the drug is able to effect the free-swimming parasite. When the parasite is in the white spot stage, they are protected by the drugs by the spore's hard shell. Add an airstone to tank since oxygen levels will be reduced from the drugs and the higher temperatures.
Non-Drug Method
Ich can also be successfully treated with just high temperatures. I myself have not used this treatment, but others have had great success. From the Aquaticcommunity.com website, raise the temperature in the QT or the main tank to 87 degrees for two weeks with regular water changes and substrate vacuumed thoroughly to suck up any tomites (little white cysts) that have fallen off your fish. Some fish-keepers also add salt (ranges from 1-3 tbs./5 gallons) with every major water change. Use salt only if your fish can tolerate salt.
Fin Rot
Fin rot is an indicator that your water quality is not ideal: ammonia and nitrites above 0, nitrates above 10. Fin rot can also be brought about by fin nipping.
Clean Water Changes Only
Clean water is usually the easiest and safest way to cure fin rot. Start with 50% water changes daily in the main tank, with a substrate vacuum. Add salt at 1 tbs/10 gallons ONLY IF YOU DO NOT have snails, and scaleless fish like cories and plecos. Replace 50% salt daily and continue for a week.
Primafix
This is a controversial treatment. Many fish-keepers feel that Primafix and Melafix are the "snake oil" of the aquarium trade - chemicals that do not have any affect on your fish. I actually use Primafix when I see a signs of minor fin rot on my fish since I already change 75% of my water every other day. I first do a 75% water change in the main tank, then add the Primafix after I have refilled the tank. I repeat this for 5 to 7 days, with daily 75% water changes and re-dosing the Primafix. One could argue that the clean water cured the fin rot; however, after the Primafix treatment I notice that all the fish look more healthy and vibrant.
Methylene Blue
If your fish becomes worse after a week of water changes, quarantine your fish in a methylene blue bath, with a heater, airstone, and sponge filter and dose with a bi-furan antibiotic
. If you are using a 5G tank, you need to change your water out 100% a day, re-dosing the methylene blue and the bi-furan. If you are using a 10G, change the water 50% a day, re-dosing 50% of the methylene blue and bi-furan. Continue for 7 to 10 days.
. If you are using a 5G tank, you need to change your water out 100% a day, re-dosing the methylene blue and the bi-furan. If you are using a 10G, change the water 50% a day, re-dosing 50% of the methylene blue and bi-furan. Continue for 7 to 10 days.Hexamita
If my fish are refusing food or spitting out their food, getting thinner with a hollow stomach, and have clear or white stringy poop, it's a good indicator that it's infected by the flagellate parasite Hexamita. The infected fish usually has no appetite and will start to look skinny and pinched if not treated.
Advanced fish-keepers will take a sample and put it under a microscope to see what is affecting the fish. Here is a photo of the hexamita parasite:
Hexamita
From the website: http://www.vetbook.org/wiki/fish/index.php/Hexamita
Using Metronidazole
To treat this disease, raise the temperature to 85 to 90 degrees F, and use Metronidazole, which can found at Dr. Fosters Smith for a 10 day period, with daily 100% changes and redosing every time. When raising the temperature in the QT, add an airstone to increase O2 levels as warmer water holds less oxygen.
To treat this disease, raise the temperature to 85 to 90 degrees F, and use Metronidazole, which can found at Dr. Fosters Smith for a 10 day period, with daily 100% changes and redosing every time. When raising the temperature in the QT, add an airstone to increase O2 levels as warmer water holds less oxygen.
Prevention
There are studies that indicate the use of epsom salt in fish feed prevents Hexamita from infecting fish. Mix 1 tablespoon of epsom salt with 500 mls of RO water. Soak dry chunky foods such as pellets and freeze dried blackworms for 15 minutes, then feed to your fish. In the near future, I plan to use feed my fish epsom soaked food once a week.
Garlic
Cichlid fish-keepers have long discussed the benefits of garlic. Recently, studies have shown the effectiveness of fresh garlic against bacteria and flagellates, such as Hexamita: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21056027. It's not a conclusive study but it shows that garlic has some effect on Spironucleus type flagellates. I use fresh garlic as a preventative and immune booster to my fish. I crush a fresh clove of garlic with a garlic press into a small bowl. I mix the contents with a little RO water and strain. Then I soak freeze dried black worm in the garlic juice then feed to my fish.
Common Diseases and Treatments
If, after the two week period, the new fish are not responding to treatment, I usually return them to the pet store since the chances of them recovering is very low.
However, if the fish in question is your favorite tank fish, and you are willing to try additional methods to save them, here are a few common diseases and treatments.
Swim Bladder Disease
Fish affected by swim bladder disease have difficulty swimming upright. Remove the fish into a 5 gallon QT tank with 1/2 tsp. Methylene Blue and Kanamycin, a gram-positive antibiotic. Use a heater to keep the water 78 degrees F. Perform 100% daily water changes and and redose for 7 days. Continue with treatment for another 5 days if the fish still has problems righting itself.
Bloat
Bloat is characterized by a swelling in the abdomen area caused by constipation. Place fish in 5 gallon QT with 1/2 tbs. of epsom salt with daily 100% water changes. Feed fish crushed cooked and shelled peas. If they refuse to eat the peas (my fish do not eat peas), you can also feed them small amounts of frozen brine shrimp. This procedure should loosen the intestinal blockage.
Columnaris
Columnaris (flavobacterium columnare) is a highly contagious, fast-acting, gram negative bacteria that causes white, or grey ulcers on the mouth and body. Sometimes these ulcers have a cotton look to them. Remove affected fish into QT and treat with Methylene Blue, Kanamycin, and Bi-Furan , which is a combination of two antibiotics, Nitrofurazone, and Furazolidone. Try not to use a heater since the bacteria grows the fastest in 75-78 degrees F. Treat for at least 7-10 days with 100% water change and redose until the lesions heal completely.
If you prefer an non-medicated treatment for columnaris, please read the section below "Potassium Permanganate for Bacterial and Fungal infections".
Fungus
If you prefer an non-medicated treatment for surface fungal infections, please read the section below "Potassium Permanganate for Bacterial and Fungal infections".
If you prefer an non-medicated treatment for columnaris, please read the section below "Potassium Permanganate for Bacterial and Fungal infections".
Fungus
Fungus infections affect the fish's skin causing hair like growths that can grow into small hairy balls. Remove fish into Methylene Blue QT. After a few days, if the fish does not respond to the Methylene Blue treatment, Malachite Green + Formalin treatment can be used. It's commonly known as Quick Cure and can be found at Walmart's pet section or Amazon. Quick Cure is quite harsh and its not recommended to use with cories and plecos. Treat with quick cure every other day with 100% water changes for 4 days.
. Quick Cure is quite harsh and its not recommended to use with cories and plecos. Treat with quick cure every other day with 100% water changes for 4 days.If you prefer an non-medicated treatment for surface fungal infections, please read the section below "Potassium Permanganate for Bacterial and Fungal infections".
Nematodes
Fish can be affected by a red nematode worm called the camallanus. Fish affected with camallanus have a red and swollen anal area; sometimes you will be able to see the red worm poking out of the anus (I know, gross!). I use a dewormer, Vermisol (trade name for Lavamisole), and I purchase mine at a pigeon supply store, Jedd's. Use in the main tank once a week, for 3 weeks, performing a 80% water change before every treatment. Dosage if 1/2 tsp. per every 20 gallons of water. Lavamisole will not affect the bio filter.
Vermisol from Jedds.com
Potassium Permanganate
Potassium Permanganate (PP for short) is a purple crystalline mineral that is readily mixed with water. Jungle packages PP as their Pond Oxy Clear, which can be purchased from Jehmco.com. Potassium Permanganate is an oxidizer, and kills bacteria, fungus and parasites. Many fish-keepers use it as a bath to clean tanks, filters, nets, tubing, heaters, etc. I use a strong purple solution to soak all my quarantine gear for 24 hours.
Potassium Permanganate Sterilizes Fish Gear
Fill your QT with water and place all your QT gear in the tank. Pour a teaspoon of PP powder in the tank and mix with one of your nets. The color of the water should be a strong purple color. Check the color every couple of hours to see if the water has turned brown. If it has, either drain and start again, or add another tablespoon of PP powder so that the color turns a strong purple again.
Potassium Permanganate Sterilizes Fish Gear
Fill your QT with water and place all your QT gear in the tank. Pour a teaspoon of PP powder in the tank and mix with one of your nets. The color of the water should be a strong purple color. Check the color every couple of hours to see if the water has turned brown. If it has, either drain and start again, or add another tablespoon of PP powder so that the color turns a strong purple again.
Potassium Permanganate by Jungle
Potassium Permanganate for Bacterial and Fungal Infections
PP can also be used to treat bacterial and fungal disease in fish. Methylene blue is very gentle and may not cure stubborn surface bacterial and fungal infections in fish. When I purchased my black tetras, I noticed a week after I placed them in my main tank, that they were developing mouth sores. I quickly netted all 25 out and put them back into QT.
This time, I gave them a Potassium Permanganate bath. Using PP to treat infected fish is an advanced treatment method used by the most experienced fish-keepers because this treatment could be very deadly to fish if not done properly. Potassium Permanganate burns away all organics in the tank, including all bacteria, fungus, parasites, and the slime coat of fish. Thus, if you use too high a concentration, you could burn the gills of the fish and cause them great stress (and death).
PP Treatment Method
Using a measuring spoon, and a funnel, pour 1 tablespoon of PP powder into an empty water bottle. Add about 2 cups of RO water into the bottle, cap and shake. The color of the solution should be a very dark purple. If it's not dark purple, add another teaspoon of PP powder, cap and shake.
Potassium Permanganate is a purple powder
When mixed with water, the PP dissolves into a dark purple liquid
The only way to use PP is to "eyeball" the correct color the tank water should be. This is where experience comes into play. The catch is if you never try it, you will never gain the experience. To demonstrate the correct color, I set up 3 beakers of water and mixed up a strong solution of PP. Using a pipette, I slowly added drops of PP solution to each beaker. The first beaker is the color I aim for when treating - a light pink color.
The first beaker, light pink, is the color I aim for
The QT tank needs to stay this pink color for 4 hours. If the organics in the tank are too high, the water will turn a brown color. To maintain this pink color, you need to check the QT color every 1/2 hour, adding small amounts of PP solution if needed.
You will still need to keep the fish comfortable by aerating the water well, using an airstone, and a heater.
To demonstrate this color change, I placed a handful of moss from my shrimp tank into the first solution. There were a few shrimp babies stuck in the moss, and they were unharmed by the PP solution.
Moss was placed into the first beaker to add organics into the solution
After 10 minutes, I removed the moss, and the PP solution color was noticeably brown, although slightly pink. At this point, I would add a tiny amount of PP mix to increase the pink color. If the water turns brown or clear, the PP is no longer working and therefore, will not be an effective treatment. After the minimum 4 hour treatment, do a massive water change. If the fish have not improved enough, do another PP treatment after 2 days.
Potassium Permanganate solution turns a brown color with the presence of high organics
Accidental Overdose
If you accidentally added too much PP mix to your tank, you can neutralize the PP with a tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide, or a double strength dosage of dechlorinator. The water will clear of pink almost immediately.
Fish Gloves
This is also a good thing to have around: fish gloves. They are actually called OB Gloves (Obstetrics) that are used by farm veterinarians. They are long, reaching up to your shoulder, and are disposable. Great for cleaning tanks!
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