Bath treatment (fishkeeping)
Encyclopedia
Bath treatments are disease treatments that originated since the earliest days of goldfish
culture. They are easy to carry out. One of the most effective procedure is called the salt bath which is quite effective in eradicating ciliated parasites from the fish. However, there are also useless, thus not recommended, bath treatments such as the use of certain antibiotics or vitamins in the bath. One disadvantageous limitation of bath treatments is that it harms the beneficial bacteria in the biological filter of the aquarium
.
Bath treatment can either be short-term (a "dip") or long-term (from a few hours to 12 or 24 hours or longer).
Goldfish
The goldfish is a freshwater fish in the family Cyprinidae of order Cypriniformes. It was one of the earliest fish to be domesticated, and is one of the most commonly kept aquarium fish....
culture. They are easy to carry out. One of the most effective procedure is called the salt bath which is quite effective in eradicating ciliated parasites from the fish. However, there are also useless, thus not recommended, bath treatments such as the use of certain antibiotics or vitamins in the bath. One disadvantageous limitation of bath treatments is that it harms the beneficial bacteria in the biological filter of the aquarium
Aquarium
An aquarium is a vivarium consisting of at least one transparent side in which water-dwelling plants or animals are kept. Fishkeepers use aquaria to keep fish, invertebrates, amphibians, marine mammals, turtles, and aquatic plants...
.
Bath treatment can either be short-term (a "dip") or long-term (from a few hours to 12 or 24 hours or longer).
Medications used in bath treatments
- SaltSaltIn chemistry, salts are ionic compounds that result from the neutralization reaction of an acid and a base. They are composed of cations and anions so that the product is electrically neutral...
: the most effective bath treatment, and is used to eliminate ciliated protozoan parasitesParasitismParasitism is a type of symbiotic relationship between organisms of different species where one organism, the parasite, benefits at the expense of the other, the host. Traditionally parasite referred to organisms with lifestages that needed more than one host . These are now called macroparasites...
(including ichIchIch may refer to:* Ich , an album by German rapper Sido.* Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, often shortened to ich, a disease of freshwater fish.** Cryptocaryon or marine ich, a similar disease of marine fish....
in small fish); also used to curb the absorption of nitriteNitriteThe nitrite ion has the chemical formula NO2−. The anion is symmetric with equal N-O bond lengths and a O-N-O bond angle of ca. 120°. On protonation the unstable weak acid nitrous acid is produced. Nitrite can be oxidised or reduced, with product somewhat dependent on the oxidizing/reducing agent...
, and to reduce the osmotic pressureOsmotic pressureOsmotic pressure is the pressure which needs to be applied to a solution to prevent the inward flow of water across a semipermeable membrane....
exerted by fresh-water on any hole in the skinSkin-Dermis:The dermis is the layer of skin beneath the epidermis that consists of connective tissue and cushions the body from stress and strain. The dermis is tightly connected to the epidermis by a basement membrane. It also harbors many Mechanoreceptors that provide the sense of touch and heat...
or gillGillA gill is a respiratory organ found in many aquatic organisms that extracts dissolved oxygen from water, afterward excreting carbon dioxide. The gills of some species such as hermit crabs have adapted to allow respiration on land provided they are kept moist...
; Dosage and dosing: To produce a 0.3% salt solution (a treatment dosage against most protozoan parasites), 1 tablespoon of salt is used per gallon of water; to produce a 0.6% salt solution (a treatment dosage against TrichodinaTrichodinaTrichodina is a genus of ciliate protists that is ectocommensal or parasitic on aquatic animals, particularly fish. They are characterised by the presence of a ring of interlocking cytoskeletal denitcles, which provide support for the cell and allow for adhesion to surfaces including fish tissue.-...
), 2 tablespoons of salt for every one gallon of water; and to produce a 0.9% salt solution, 3 tablespoons of salt for every one gallon of water - AcriflavineAcriflavineAcriflavine is a topical antiseptic. It has the form of an orange or brown powder. It may be harmful in the eyes or if inhaled. It is a dye and it stains the skin and may irritate. Commercial preparations are often mixtures with proflavine...
: a powerful dye used for treating protozoans, fungusFungusA fungus is a member of a large group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds , as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as a kingdom, Fungi, which is separate from plants, animals, and bacteria...
, lymphocytes, OodiniumOodiniumOödinium is a genus of microscopic parasitic dinoflagellates. They live off salt and fresh water fish, causing a type of fish velvet disease . One species has also been recorded on various cnidarians .The host typically develops small yellow or gold dust scattered on its head, fins and body...
and HexamitaHexamitaHexamita is a genus of parasitic diplomonads.It is related to Giardia.H. columbae and H. meleagridis lives in the intestines of birds.H. muris and H. pitheci lives in the intestines of mammals.H. salmonis and H... - Chloramine T: a quaternaryQuaternaryThe Quaternary Period is the most recent of the three periods of the Cenozoic Era in the geologic time scale of the ICS. It follows the Neogene Period, spanning 2.588 ± 0.005 million years ago to the present...
ammoniumAmmoniumThe ammonium cation is a positively charged polyatomic cation with the chemical formula NH. It is formed by the protonation of ammonia...
compoundChemical compoundA chemical compound is a pure chemical substance consisting of two or more different chemical elements that can be separated into simpler substances by chemical reactions. Chemical compounds have a unique and defined chemical structure; they consist of a fixed ratio of atoms that are held together...
used to control bacterial gill disease and flukeTrematodaTrematoda is a class within the phylum Platyhelminthes that contains two groups of parasitic flatworms, commonly referred to as "flukes".-Taxonomy and biodiversity:...
s - Ionic copper: free-form copperCopperCopper is a chemical element with the symbol Cu and atomic number 29. It is a ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. Pure copper is soft and malleable; an exposed surface has a reddish-orange tarnish...
used to kill bacteria and parasites - Dimilin: an insecticideInsecticideAn insecticide is a pesticide used against insects. They include ovicides and larvicides used against the eggs and larvae of insects respectively. Insecticides are used in agriculture, medicine, industry and the household. The use of insecticides is believed to be one of the major factors behind...
used against Lernea, Argulus and Ergasilus - Droncit: a pillPillPill or The Pill may refer to:* Pill , referring to anything small and round for a specific dose of medicine. The term is used colloquially in several ways:** A tablet or capsule which replaced dosing via pill...
form of praziquantelPraziquantelPraziquantel is an anthelmintic effective against flatworms. Praziquantel is not licensed for use in humans in the UK; it is, however, available as a veterinary anthelmintic, and is available for use in humans on a named-patient basis....
used to clear flukeTrematodaTrematoda is a class within the phylum Platyhelminthes that contains two groups of parasitic flatworms, commonly referred to as "flukes".-Taxonomy and biodiversity:...
s and wormWormThe term worm refers to an obsolete taxon used by Carolus Linnaeus and Jean-Baptiste Lamarck for all non-arthropod invertebrate animals, and stems from the Old English word wyrm. Currently it is used to describe many different distantly-related animals that typically have a long cylindrical...
s - Flagyl: this is actually metronidazoleMetronidazoleMetronidazole is a nitroimidazole antibiotic medication used particularly for anaerobic bacteria and protozoa. Metronidazole is an antibiotic, amebicide, and antiprotozoal....
and is a treatment of choice for HexamitaHexamitaHexamita is a genus of parasitic diplomonads.It is related to Giardia.H. columbae and H. meleagridis lives in the intestines of birds.H. muris and H. pitheci lives in the intestines of mammals.H. salmonis and H...
and SpironucleusSpironucleusSpironucleus is a genus of Diplomonad flagellates that inhabit the digestive tract of a variety of animal hosts. Some are pathogens and others are commensals.-External links:*... - Fluke Tabs: used against flukeTrematodaTrematoda is a class within the phylum Platyhelminthes that contains two groups of parasitic flatworms, commonly referred to as "flukes".-Taxonomy and biodiversity:...
infestationInfestationInfestation refers to the state of being invaded or overrun by pests or parasites. It can also refer to the actual organisms living on or within a host.-Terminology:... - Formalin: this is formaldehydeFormaldehydeFormaldehyde is an organic compound with the formula CH2O. It is the simplest aldehyde, hence its systematic name methanal.Formaldehyde is a colorless gas with a characteristic pungent odor. It is an important precursor to many other chemical compounds, especially for polymers...
gas in water used to as a fungicideFungicideFungicides are chemical compounds or biological organisms used to kill or inhibit fungi or fungal spores. Fungi can cause serious damage in agriculture, resulting in critical losses of yield, quality and profit. Fungicides are used both in agriculture and to fight fungal infections in animals...
and treatment against some bacterial infections, ciliated protozoans and flukes - Furazone green: a combination of two or three furanFuranFuran is a heterocyclic organic compound, consisting of a five-membered aromatic ring with four carbon atoms and one oxygen. The class of compounds containing such rings are also referred to as furans....
antibiotics - Malachite greenMalachite greenMalachite green is an organic compound that is used as a dyestuff and has emerged as a controversial agent in aquaculture. Malachite green is traditionally used as a dye for materials such as silk, leather, and paper...
: a powerful dye that eliminates parasitesParasitismParasitism is a type of symbiotic relationship between organisms of different species where one organism, the parasite, benefits at the expense of the other, the host. Traditionally parasite referred to organisms with lifestages that needed more than one host . These are now called macroparasites... - Methylene blueMethylene blueMethylene blue is a heterocyclic aromatic chemical compound with the molecular formula C16H18N3SCl. It has many uses in a range of different fields, such as biology and chemistry. At room temperature it appears as a solid, odorless, dark green powder, that yields a blue solution when dissolved in...
: a basicBase (chemistry)For the term in genetics, see base A base in chemistry is a substance that can accept hydrogen ions or more generally, donate electron pairs. A soluble base is referred to as an alkali if it contains and releases hydroxide ions quantitatively...
thiazineThiazineThiazines are organic compounds containing a ring of four carbon, one nitrogen and one sulfur atom. Chemicals that include thiazine are used for dyes, tranquilizers and insecticides.-See also:*Methylene blue*Phenothiazine*Heterocyclic compound*Morpholine...
dyeDyeA dye is a colored substance that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is being applied. The dye is generally applied in an aqueous solution, and requires a mordant to improve the fastness of the dye on the fiber....
used to treat fungal infections - Pond Health Guard: a modified version of formalin used to treat flukeTrematodaTrematoda is a class within the phylum Platyhelminthes that contains two groups of parasitic flatworms, commonly referred to as "flukes".-Taxonomy and biodiversity:...
s - Potassium permanganatePotassium permanganatePotassium permanganate is an inorganic chemical compound with the formula KMnO4. It is a salt consisting of K+ and MnO4− ions. Formerly known as permanganate of potash or Condy's crystals, it is a strong oxidizing agent. It dissolves in water to give intensely purple solutions, the...
: a caustic alkaliAlkaliIn chemistry, an alkali is a basic, ionic salt of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal element. Some authors also define an alkali as a base that dissolves in water. A solution of a soluble base has a pH greater than 7. The adjective alkaline is commonly used in English as a synonym for base,...
that is effective in treating flukeTrematodaTrematoda is a class within the phylum Platyhelminthes that contains two groups of parasitic flatworms, commonly referred to as "flukes".-Taxonomy and biodiversity:...
s, fungal infections, bacterial gill disease, bacterial infections of the body and fins, and ciliated protozoans infestations except ichIchIch may refer to:* Ich , an album by German rapper Sido.* Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, often shortened to ich, a disease of freshwater fish.** Cryptocaryon or marine ich, a similar disease of marine fish.... - Program: is actually lufenuronLufenuronLufenuron is the active ingredient in the veterinary flea control medication Program, and one of the active ingredients in the veterinary flea control, heartworm prevention, and anthelmintic medicine milbemycin oxime/lufenuron .Lufenuron is stored in the animal's body fat and transferred to adult...
which is effective against Argulus, Lernea and Ergasilus - Tramisole: is actually levamisole phosphate which is a dewormingDewormingDeworming is the giving of an anthelmintic drug to an animal to rid it of intestinal parasites, such as roundworm and tapeworm...
medication