Does Dimilin really work on leeches

[EppsDynasty]

Have you tested your water?

No

If I did not test my water...

1. ...I recognize that I will likely be asked to do a test, and that water tests are critical for solving freshwater health problems.

Do you do water changes?

Yes

If I do not change my water...

1. ...I recognize that I will likely be recommended to do a water change, and water changes are critical for preventing future freshwater health problems.

So I have had a problem with leeches, not the big brown things you think. These are snail leeches I think, no expert. On this Forum it says the only known thing to eliminate these is Dimilin. Has anyone used Dimilin for leeches here? Does anyone know if this will work? I have only received the response "that wont work". My poor cat fish is suffering bad from this suckers. I have treated the pond with the suggested amount.

 

[phreeflow]

Can’t believe you’re still dealing with the leeches…that sucks. The problem with Dimilin or salt or anything else is that the leech eggs are unaffected and take weeks to hatch. Whatever you treat with, you have to keep it up so it continues to kill off new leeches that are hatching.

So if you’re going to try adding salt, Dimilin, fenbendazole, copper, prazi or whatever else, you’ll have to keep redosing for a while.

You can also buy a bunch these leech traps and bait as many as you can to get a jumpstart. Good luck

https://a.co/d/c9YgcY6

 

[EppsDynasty]

The Dimilin seems to have no effect, and salt cannot be used with turtles. I have taken the turtles out and built a new pond for them. Afraid to use to much salt, have to buy a salinity meter. We pull the catfish out and manually remove the leeches, but 3 days later they have doubled on the carfish. Very frustrated with this issue. As well as hate to see my fish in stress.

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

On this Forum it says the only known thing to eliminate these is Dimilin.

Where did that come from?

My short search provided no indication that Dimilin works on leeches. Dimilin works on crustaceans, which leeches are not. I suggested formalin: https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/leeches-on-catfish.755707/post-8500218

Have you tried that?

 

[EppsDynasty]

In the freshwater Disease Guide in the sticky threads, is where I got the Dimilin info. I am thinking of letting this pond dry up, to kill EVERYTHING. I will move the catfish into a(n) hospital tank (300 gallon rubbermaid tote). We are moving and I am setting up a new pond system, 3 above ground pools linked together with 2 300 gallon IBC tote filters.

 

[EppsDynasty]

Haven't tried formalin yet, I will buy. I sincerely thank you for the suggestion.

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

I'd do more reading on formalin vs leech and if it agrees, I'd try. Also, the correct ID of the parasite is crucial.

 

[EppsDynasty]

So I did a 2 cups of Parasalt to 5 gallons water salt bath. The catfish lasted 4 mins 45 seconds till equilibrium loss. He (for conversation sake) also threw up alot of food. I placed a leech trap in the 300 gallon hospital tank. These leeches are onry, they do not come off like you would think. Scraping only injures the fish, straight salt on a q-tip just burns the catfish's skin. Next I will try to get 1 on the microscope for id. Was going to do a salt bath 1 x a day and see how it went with losing leeches.