Monday, April 25, 2011

Treating Arowana Illness and Disease

Successful treatment of a sick fish depends on a range of things. Water quality and also the condition of the fish before the onset of illness, the swiftness and accurateness of treatment and also the severity of the disease all have an effect on how well an Arowana heals. several of those factors are controllable, and a proactive approach to your Arowana's health aids recovery from illness or disease.

The Quarantine Tank

Even with years of trouble-free Arowana care behind you, it's extraordinarily wise to stay a Quarantine tank running. If you house tank mates along with your Arowana, use it to isolate and observe new arrivals for many days before introduction to the most tank. Fish that seem to be stressed or turning into sick outside of the observation amount will be removed to the Quarantine tank for treatment. This prevents dosing the most setup and disrupting biological filtration. It additionally prevents exposing healthy fish to antibiotics unnecessarily.

If you retain only 1 Arowana, alittle quarantine tank continues to be a wise investment. It will be used to isolate live foods and plants for observation and parasite management. A quarantine tank may function an area to administer healing salt baths ought to your Arowana become sick or stressed. within the event of a tank emergency, it's continually of profit to own a totally cycled, smaller tank accessible. A fifty five or maybe a twenty nine gallon tank will suffice as temporary Arowana housing.

Three forms of Fish Medication

There is a good style of fish medications offered on the market. it's extraordinarily vital to pay it slow learning the way to use basic medicines. Not solely should you be able to establish Arowana diseases, you want to acumen to treat them swiftly and safely.

There are 3 basic forms of fish medicine: Bacterial antibiotics, anti-parasitic medications, and antifungal medications. no matter the name complete, every cluster contains specific medicine or chemicals that operate equally. Aim to become accustomed to a minimum of 2 medicine at intervals every cluster. take care to own enough of every accessible to treat an Arowana for ten days. several medications need solely many days of dosage, however it's best to be ready for additional aggressive treatment.

1. Bacterial Antibiotics:

These work by stopping the expansion or killing off bacteria. Broad spectrum medications are effective against a range of bacteria, whereas slender spectrum antibiotics solely have an effect on many.

Some bacterial antibiotics destroy useful bacteria in your tank. Pay notably shut attention to water quality throughout treatment with these medications, as several additionally need the removal of carbon from filtration units. within the interest of preserving your tank's water quality, it's best to use bacterial antibiotics solely during a Quarantine setting.

Common antibacterial medications: tetracycline (minocycline), erythromycin, nitrofurans, quniolones.

2. Anti-parasitic Medications:

These are designed to treat the numerous parasites that may infect Arowanas. There are 3 forms of parasites: single-celled protozoa, worms, and crustaceans. The latter 2 are typically visible to the naked eye, and therefore the protozoa "ich" may typically be noticed. In alternative instances, magnification might facilitate with parasite identification.

Some anti-parasitic medications are effective against quite one parasite. Some are harmful to plants or rays, and a few might have an effect on biological filtration. several color tank water and need safe handling procedures. whereas quarantining typically prevents parasite infestations, if your main tank becomes infected it should be treated for complete elimination.

Common anti-parasitic medications: Malachite inexperienced, formalin, copper, and quinine.

3. Antifungal Medications:

Fungal infections typically attack an Arowana at the positioning of a wound. Injury or parasite infestation commonly initiates fungal growth. Water molds begin to go after fish by secreting enzymes that digest tissue cells. True fungal infections are difficult to treat, and repeated or extended treatments are typically necessary.

Common antifungal medications: Malachite inexperienced, formalin, copper, methylene blue.

Simultaneous Treatment

Some medications are designed to be used along and are effective at treating quite one illness. a decent example is malachite inexperienced and formalin that are typically sold collectively treatment. Copper is another multi-purpose remedy. These medications might treat each parasitic and fungal infections. If you think your fish has secondary infections from parasitic wounds, strive a twin purpose medication.

If you're unsure regarding using 2 medications simultaneously, explore for a top quality manufacturer and speak to them directly. Alternatively, you may refer to a veterinarian or skilled Arowana keeper. Never merely "guess" at what medications to use together with one another. Fish medications are primarily chemicals and need special handling and care.