Hello,
Since I'm going through a velvet infestation, I thought I'd document my treatment process in hopes that it may be somewhat useful to others. I'll start off with some tank info:
Tank: Fluval Spec V
Filtration: Stock
Lighting: Current LED +
Substrate: Mr. Aqua Plant Grower
Fauna: 1x Dwarf Puffer 1x Oto [STRIKE]3x[/STRIKE] 2x Cherry Barb
Plants: DHG and various stems
I have no QT tank b/c of lack of space, $ and b/c i only plan on having <6 fish at all times.
The dwarf puffer was added with the oto after a 3 week dsm (DHG) and 2 weeks of the tank being filled. Originally had 2 dwarf puffers that were the best of buds, but one jumped the tank while I was away
. I was at petsmart to pick up various foods b/c the dwarf puffer was being a picky eater, and came across their on sale cherry barbs for $0.88. they looked healthy enough, so I bought 3 on a whim.
Fast forward 2 days later. 1 Cherry Barb is swimming frantically, while all other fish are acting normally. I justify this by blaming it on the move from a fish store tank to my tank.
Day 3: Cherry Barb that was once swimming frantically is now apathetic and hiding insider rocks. I still say this is b/c it is stressed from the move (mistake #1)
Day 4: Cherry barb is dead. Blame this on the stress of the move (mistake #2)
Day 5: other 2 cherry barbs are swimming frantically and i think oh s***t. I do research on TPT and I get to thinking that fish may have Velvet. I decide to give it another day of observation before doing anything (mistake #3)
Day 6: barbs are still swimming frantically, use the flashlight test and see the dreaded gold flakes on ALL my fish. In a panic, I immediately black out the tank, raise the temp to 84 and do some research for plant-safe meds. Flubendazole seems to be the best choice, but because of price ($30) I decide to go another route. Purchased SeaChem ParaGuard as it seems to be more likely to be "plant-safe" as compared to copper based meds.
Today: waiting for the ParaGuard to come in the mail and will dose accordingly. Fish are still in the dark and under a black blanket, all are alive, but am still able to see some velvet using the flashlight test. Planning on only a 4 day blackout (i don't want to lose my plants) and will begin meds today. I'll update on progress.
Since I'm going through a velvet infestation, I thought I'd document my treatment process in hopes that it may be somewhat useful to others. I'll start off with some tank info:
Tank: Fluval Spec V
Filtration: Stock
Lighting: Current LED +
Substrate: Mr. Aqua Plant Grower
Fauna: 1x Dwarf Puffer 1x Oto [STRIKE]3x[/STRIKE] 2x Cherry Barb
Plants: DHG and various stems
I have no QT tank b/c of lack of space, $ and b/c i only plan on having <6 fish at all times.
The dwarf puffer was added with the oto after a 3 week dsm (DHG) and 2 weeks of the tank being filled. Originally had 2 dwarf puffers that were the best of buds, but one jumped the tank while I was away
. I was at petsmart to pick up various foods b/c the dwarf puffer was being a picky eater, and came across their on sale cherry barbs for $0.88. they looked healthy enough, so I bought 3 on a whim.Fast forward 2 days later. 1 Cherry Barb is swimming frantically, while all other fish are acting normally. I justify this by blaming it on the move from a fish store tank to my tank.
Day 3: Cherry Barb that was once swimming frantically is now apathetic and hiding insider rocks. I still say this is b/c it is stressed from the move (mistake #1)
Day 4: Cherry barb is dead. Blame this on the stress of the move (mistake #2)
Day 5: other 2 cherry barbs are swimming frantically and i think oh s***t. I do research on TPT and I get to thinking that fish may have Velvet. I decide to give it another day of observation before doing anything (mistake #3)
Day 6: barbs are still swimming frantically, use the flashlight test and see the dreaded gold flakes on ALL my fish. In a panic, I immediately black out the tank, raise the temp to 84 and do some research for plant-safe meds. Flubendazole seems to be the best choice, but because of price ($30) I decide to go another route. Purchased SeaChem ParaGuard as it seems to be more likely to be "plant-safe" as compared to copper based meds.
Today: waiting for the ParaGuard to come in the mail and will dose accordingly. Fish are still in the dark and under a black blanket, all are alive, but am still able to see some velvet using the flashlight test. Planning on only a 4 day blackout (i don't want to lose my plants) and will begin meds today. I'll update on progress.
