robertprice
May 17th, 2013, 06:19 AM
The appearance of white slimy or cotton wool spots on Goldfish often signals super-infection and sometimes triple infection. The three usual suspects, Columaris, Costia, and Chilodonella often work in concert. Columnaris is the best known, often referred to as "fungus." it is actually Flexibacterium columnare, a very contagious bacteria which can infect an entire tank in 2 hours, and may spread to plants rocks and decorations. It often affects fish that have Costia or Chilodonella parasitism, and they can be hard to tell apart. Columnaris is fairly easy to cure with Furan-2 or Kanamycin if caught early.
Two of the invisible Goldfish parasites often predispose fish to Columnaris super infection. The first of these is Costia or Slime Disease, which causes white film with or without red patches, clamped fins, abnormal swimming, and scratching. Costia lesions must be treated quickly. Raise the water temperature to 75-80 degrees, and treat with a broad spectrum parasiticide. Quick Cure will work, and work better with 1 - 2 teaspoons of salt per gallon, but Costia can be resistant and Coppersafe is a better, quicker choice.
Chilodonella causes blue-white film on the body and gills and abnormal breathing.It is a protozoan often introduced by new fish. It is very responsive to salt. 2.5 teaspoons of salt per gallon will prevent it. You can use 1.5 teaspoons if you have sensitive plants. Once fish get it, they need to be treated in a quarantine tank of fairly small size at 75-80 degrees with a 1% salt concentration (7.5 teaspoons per gallon) plus either Coppersafe (preferred) or a Malachite-Formalin preparation. The fish much be closely monitired as all have different responses to high salt levels. The tanks needs to be disinfected with salt at 2.5- 3 teaspoons per gallon, preferably with Coppersafe, or Quick Cure.
So, if you have the misfortune to have a widespread slimy Goldfish tank infection, a single treatment may not work. My personal preference is for Furan-2 with Coppersafe, some kosher salt especially if Chilodonella is suspected and elevated tank temperature. Quarantining all new fish for two weeks is a good preventative.
Two of the invisible Goldfish parasites often predispose fish to Columnaris super infection. The first of these is Costia or Slime Disease, which causes white film with or without red patches, clamped fins, abnormal swimming, and scratching. Costia lesions must be treated quickly. Raise the water temperature to 75-80 degrees, and treat with a broad spectrum parasiticide. Quick Cure will work, and work better with 1 - 2 teaspoons of salt per gallon, but Costia can be resistant and Coppersafe is a better, quicker choice.
Chilodonella causes blue-white film on the body and gills and abnormal breathing.It is a protozoan often introduced by new fish. It is very responsive to salt. 2.5 teaspoons of salt per gallon will prevent it. You can use 1.5 teaspoons if you have sensitive plants. Once fish get it, they need to be treated in a quarantine tank of fairly small size at 75-80 degrees with a 1% salt concentration (7.5 teaspoons per gallon) plus either Coppersafe (preferred) or a Malachite-Formalin preparation. The fish much be closely monitired as all have different responses to high salt levels. The tanks needs to be disinfected with salt at 2.5- 3 teaspoons per gallon, preferably with Coppersafe, or Quick Cure.
So, if you have the misfortune to have a widespread slimy Goldfish tank infection, a single treatment may not work. My personal preference is for Furan-2 with Coppersafe, some kosher salt especially if Chilodonella is suspected and elevated tank temperature. Quarantining all new fish for two weeks is a good preventative.