RE: apistos wasting away

["Maladorno, Dionigi" <DIONIGI.MALADORNO@roche.com>]

<<<<I would love to have your treatment schemes. I have never really had
any luck
treating my apistos for their ailments, but I am willing to try.
When I had discus, they responded well to pipzine for tapeworms (this is
the only worm med I have), but I was unsure as to whether tapeworm
infections were common among apistos. Anybody have any data on this?

Lisa>>>>>>

I have the feeling that most dwarf cichlids may be more difficult to
treat than Discus, which, contrarly to the beliefs of many, are very
tough fish.

I am writing a work on treatment of common Discus diseases (no reason to
think they would be that much different from Apistos, although as I said
the treatment success rate may be lower) for the Discus Breeders Web
Site and AWMagazine :      http://aquaweb.pair.com/DBWS/default.htm   -
 http://aquaweb.pair.com/AQUAWORLD/symptreat.htm  - (US mirror site)=20

The second part with the treatment schemes I mentioned (when
metronidazole does not work for body wasting, or just as a follow-up for
broader disinfestation) will appear soon.

Briefly, in order of my subjective preference (taken from the draft I am
working on), I would choose one of the following:

- - flubendazole (flubenol 5%), at the dose of 1/2 teaspoon for each 30
gal, which roughly corresponds to the recommended dose of 200 mg/100
liters. Pre-dissolve the compound in a container with some aquarium
water, and then pour it in the aquarium. It is better to use a container
with a watertight lid, so that it can be shaken to facilitate the
dissolution process, which is quite difficult with this drug.  After six
days, change at least 30% of the water (removing the deposit of white
powder left on the aquarium walls), and introduce activated carbon in
the filter. Flubendazole is a very active antiparasitic drug, which with
a single treatment effectively kills tapeworms and flukes (including
eggs). It is  also effective on nematodes (such as Capillaria), although
the author does not think that in this case one single treatment  would
always suffice. The only problem experienced by the author with this
drug consisted in a sudden drop in dissolved oxygen levels (with severe
respiratory and neurological symptoms of the Discus there were being
treated), presumably due to bacterial proliferation on the film of
deposits left by this preparation on the aquarium walls. Therefore, use
of aeration during treatment and an accurate clean-up of the tank at the
end of the treatment period (wiping off the sides with a sponge and
siphoning the bottom) are absolutely necessary.
=20
- - Fluke-Tabs, follow the manufacturer's instructions

- - praziquantel: it is available in the US only through prescription from
a veterinarian (trade name: Droncit=E2, 34 mg Canine Tablets). It is
active primarily on tapeworms and flukes. Since however it does not kill
fluke eggs, it is compulsory to administer it at least two times, at
exactly a week interval, in order to eliminate the individuals that may
have developed from the eggs present when the first treatment was given,
before they reach maturity and lay eggs themselves. A very practical
mean of administration is to crush two and a half 34 mg tablet for each
10 gallons9 of aquarium water and dissolve them in a separate cup of
water, pouring it in the aquarium once the tablets are dissolved. The
solubility of these tablets is low, and care must be given to have them
dissolved as much as possible before introduction in the aquarium. After
48 hours, change 30% of the water (siphoning well the deposit of white
powder left at the bottom), and introduce activated carbon in the
filter. Remember to repeat the treatment a week later, otherwise in
terms of egg-laying flukes it was a complete waste of time and money!

If anybody finds mistakes, please let me know, so that I can correct
them.

Dionigi