BN Plecos and medications

All posts regarding the care and breeding of these catfishes from South America.
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PrettyPleco
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BN Plecos and medications

Post by PrettyPleco »

Hello! I am so glad that I have found this forum as I have a few questions about my adult albino BN pair. I will begin by filling out the following information the best I can.

1. Water parameters
a) Temerature range.-Between 76 and 78 degrees.
b) pH.-7.6
c) GH.-100ppm
d) KH-120ppm
e)Ammonia, Nitrate, Nitrite, levels.-Ammonia=0, NitrIte=0, NitrAte=~20
f) Water change frequency-About 50% every two to three days.
(Most LFS's will check your water and give a list of readings).

2. Tank set up
a) Size.-75 Gallon
b) Substrate.-Bare Bottom
c) Filtration.-Aqua Clear 110 and Fluval 404 canister
d) Furnishings.-Medium sized driftwood, several live plants, coconut hut which they have spawned in, two bubblers.
e) Other tank mates.-Five fancy goldfish, up to 8.5 inches in size.
f) How long has it been set-up?-Almost a year and a half.
g) When was the last new fish added?-The BN pair about 3-4 months ago after being QT'd for 2 weeks (I got them straight from a breeder, not a chain pet store).
h) Foods used and frequency?-Goldfish are fed Mazuri Gel food twice a day. Fresh veggies are always avaliable to all, zuchinni, yellow squash, collard greens, spinach, etc...Plecos are also feed algae wafers from time to time.

3. Symptoms / Problem description-About a month ago I noticed a few of my goldfish fin flicking, flashing, as well as yawning excessivly. Right away I thought they had gill and body flukes. So I have been treating with 100% pure prazi powder. I have been dosing weekly for about a month with large water changes every couple of days. Today, I am still seeing some flashing behavior in my goldfish. I know that the prazi is safe for the BNs, but am pretty sure that Quick Cure is NOT. I am pretty sure that my goldies have some sort of external parasite and a medication like QC is needed. I havne't seen the BNs act funny or display any behavior indicating they are sick (they have actually recently spawned for me :D ). I could move the BNs into a 10 gallon QT tank that I have while I treat the 75 gallon, but whatever the goldfish have, isn't it most likely the BNs will have it too? What medication would be safe for my BN pair, but also take care of the problem?

4. Action taken (if any)-See Above.

5. Medications used (if any)-Only the pure prazi powder so far.

Sorry for the long post, but I wanted to be clear about what was going on. Hopefully I have already answered any questions that would come up right away. I look forward to any help and the chance to learn. Thanks so much in advance! :)
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Re: BN plecos and medications

Post by MatsP »

As long as you use the dosage suitable for "sensitive fish" as per the manufacturer, it should be safe: http://www.aq-products.com/APpro/quickcure.htm

Catfish (all of them) are "scaleless fish".

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Re: BN plecos and medications

Post by apistomaster »

Since your Bn spawn I doubt they are sick.
I would recommend moving them to the 10 gal tank and just focus on the goldfish problem.
Avid Trout fly fisherman. ·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
PrettyPleco
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Re: BN plecos and medications

Post by PrettyPleco »

Thanks guys for the relpies. I actually came across a good deal on a 30 gallon tank. I have been looking for another tank anyways, so I think I'll put the BN in there while I QC the goldfish in the 75 gallon. Once I'm done with the QC treatment I'll move the BN back.

So for right now I won't treat them. What are some signs that I should look for if they do end up with parasites and need to be treated? Not eating?

As I'm watching them right now they look as if they may be getting ready to spawn again... :roll: :lol:
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