My Severum is sick

[scratanut]

I have a 5" severum, it seems that it has got gill flukes, its gasping has turned a bit lethargic, some slimy, sticky, translucent, string like stuff hanging from its gills, diet is normal though. am having this problem since a month but the flukes were not visible then. I need to know how to treat it without using any chemicals coz my tank has plants, and the chemicals are not good for them and to be on safer side I want to treat my whole tank and other tankmates(though no symtoms on them) too. It would be nice if someone can give me details about salt treatment.

Thanks!

 

[Mattyou]

Use the search feature for the salt treatment. It will show up, there are alot of threads with salt treatment in them.

You could always quarantine him and just treat him, that would be my suggestion if your sure he is the only 1 with this problem.

 

[dirtyblacksocks]

If the flukes are to the point of being visible it may be to your advantage to net the fish and give it a formalin dip.

Perform a google search on how to properly do a formalin dip - it will instantly eradicate all of the gill flukes on your fish - but you will need to treat your tank with the salt method as well to kill any free floating parasites.

Simplydiscus.com has a lot of helpful information on disease and illness, one of the most comprehensive library's on the net, I think.

 

[Bobears]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but salt + plants= dead plants. I'm not saying "some" salt, just that enough to help scaratanut in this situation might kill some of the plants? Maybe the formalin or salt dip in a separate tank would be best.

 

[scratanut]

I have a few hardy plants like crypts n ferns, I dont use any chemicals for treating common problems, I just raise the temperature and add salt(about a tablespoon for every 5 gallons), that did good for finrot and ich. But now it doesnt seem to help the severum. So tell me about formalin, how to use it, a 5 liter container with same tank water should be good enough for dipping it, I guess.

 

[dirtyblacksocks]

Simplydiscus.com and Google.com for learning how to do a formalin dip.

Sounds like you've had quite a few problems with this tank, might want to figure out what's going on - if you're running into all of these different illnesses - perhaps up the water change regiment.

 

[scratanut]

Thanks for your replies!
Its a 35 gallon tank with 3 other firemouths(10cm each) and a couple of cyprinids and a loach. I do around 40% wc weekly. Severum is around 13cm big.
I wasnt able to find either formalin or malachite green at petstore, Can laboratory grade formalin be used?
I did gave him a dip in salted water today, hopefully it has eradicated all the visible flukes, but hes still gasping, does it still needs a formalin dip?