Removing Lice

[Gshock]

So how do you guys actually remove lice? I've read multiple times about using tissue and tweezers but that has never worked for me when the ray was in the water. I just finished cleansing a friend's new ray but im pretty sure my way is NOT the best method. Dropped a towel on the ray's tail, grabbed it, and held it in the air, cleared all the lice as fast as i could
and let it go. Any other ways? I find leaving it in the water to do it is way too troublesome, even when inside a container with minimal water. Just thought I'd ask again in case I have to do it again.

 

[Lupin]

I am not sure about handling the ray but when it comes to removal of external parasites, whenever I encounter external parasites with my own fish (not stingrays), what I do is use forceps or tweezers and grasp on the fish lice. The fish lice must be destroyed immediately as soon as you get hold of them. Do not release them in open water areas especially drains. They have a very long life cycle that enables them to survive without hosts for a long time.

The adult fish lice must always be removed if you wish not to dose a high concentration of either dimilin or trichlorfon. I generally prefer this method so the low concentration can destroy the emerging juveniles instead.

Trichlorfon is already a banned product in several countries as it is extremely powerful and dangerous when handling carelessly. It is labeled under various names such as metriphonate, neguvon, masoten, dylox, etc.

Dimilin is a much safer treatment although it is still banned for use in some areas. The dimilin is equally effective as it can erode the keratin which is what the fish lice's shells are made of thus seeping into their innards killing them in the process.

Hope this helps.

 

[DavidW]

Sorry Lupin , but you should NEVER use any dylox based medication with rays.
It is an organophosphate, pretty much the same as chemical weapons. It will kill your rays.

Use a turkey baster to remove lice if there is only one or 2.
If there is an infestation then you need to use the Dimilin. The easiest product is called " Anchors Away" for ponds, which you can get almost anywhere. It is safe and effective at standard dose when used correctly as a long bath.

 

[Lupin]

David, if you read my post, I indicated dimilin is a much safer treatment.

 

[FishDog]

I have run across them 3 different times on rays from not so clean facilities. I put them in a shallow container, put on a thick rubber glove, and pick them up by there tail. The ray hates it and will spit water at you. If you are quick, you can pick them all off with tweezers and have them back in the QT tank in less than a minute. I have tried the turkey baster but did not like it. I prefer tweezers. I did have to do one ray 3 times before I could get them all. I believe they were living in its gills because every day some more would pop up.

 

[Florencebigfish]

Ive ran into this before and My local aquarium The Newport Aquarium said to raise the salt salinity in the water slowly and it will eventually dry them out and kill them. It worked for me. Pull all the plants and stuff out vaccum out the gavel really good leave the stuff out untill its all gone. I bleached my fake plants and stuff and rinsed them very good. Let them dry. You will probly have to vaccum it out quit a few times. It takes a little while but it gets rid of them. There is a cut off to were you can raise your salt content too but i can remember what it was. Good luck and i hope it works for you it did me.

 

[Gshock]

Ive ran into this before and My local aquarium The Newport Aquarium said to raise the salt salinity in the water slowly and it will eventually dry them out and kill them. It worked for me. Pull all the plants and stuff out vaccum out the gavel really good leave the stuff out untill its all gone. I bleached my fake plants and stuff and rinsed them very good. Let them dry. You will probly have to vaccum it out quit a few times. It takes a little while but it gets rid of them. There is a cut off to were you can raise your salt content too but i can remember what it was. Good luck and i hope it works for you it did me.

This method sounds like the easiest one, and plus salt is so cheap it wont even matter how much i use. Never again shall i risk getting my hand tagged LOL.

 

[FishDog]

If you are going to treat them then use Dimilin. It is fast and works.

 

[DavidW]

David, if you read my post, I indicated dimilin is a much safer treatment.

good to clarify

btw
Salt just ain't gonna do it.
Surely there is good info on Argulus in the stickies?

 

[Lupin]

We do have the information in Disease section for argulus.