Control of Argulus fish lice in a tank containing plecos

powerfulpumpkins · Post by **powerfulpumpkins** » 09 Apr 2006, 01:37

I posted recently about a problem which appeared to be slime on my L260 plecs. Things have moved on somewhat and infact it appears my tank has somewhow been infected with Argulus fish lice which have suddenly attacked the L260 queens. I am thinking now the slime may have been a reaction to this parasite. I lost one L260 the other day while treating it with Waterlife Sterazin although I think the death was related to the health of the actual plec and not the treatment.
Has anyone experienced an infestation of this parasite in a tank containing plecs and successfully treated it. If so what can I use- I am a UK resident and only have access to a few treatments of which I have little experience.
These are
Waterlife Sterazin
Waterlife Parazin P
Interpet Anti Crustacean

Tank is 100 Litre temp 28C ph 6.5, no Ammonia or Nitrite mixed trop tank containing plecs, corys, clown loach and tetras.

PP

Post by **Janne** » 09 Apr 2006, 08:19

The medication I use with very good success for fish lice is Djungle's Parasite Guard or their medication for ponds which I dont remember the name.
Catfishes dont react negative on this medication and it will not harm them which many other medication sometimes do, the fish lices will be killed in 24 hours.
After some time (weeks) you have to check your fishes again if there are any new fish lices that have hatched...if so one more treatment will clean your tank from them.
I suppose these fish lices you have are between 1 mm upp to 3-4 mm and if you look close they have a pinky cross over the shield...they are really nasty and will kill the fishes if not treated.

Janne

duonri · Post by **duonri** » 09 Apr 2006, 16:09

Please see:

http://www.plecofanatics.com/forum/show ... hp?t=16564

Thanks.

powerfulpumpkins · Post by **powerfulpumpkins** » 09 Apr 2006, 21:19

Janne thanks for your advice. The lice are the size you suggest. Interestingly my tank is a mixed tropical set up and I can see no lice on other fish- I even caught and inspected two bristlenoses and a corydoras and saw nothing. It is very strange it only seems to be effecting my L260 Queen Arabesques. I wondered if it could be an Argulus specific to this fish?
Duonri I saw your thread on plecfanatics at around the time I posted about my problems here on PC. What type of pleco are the Argulus attacking in your tank?
I was really hoping someone from the UK with experience of the products I listed might give feedback on their use.
I managed to remove the adult Argulus from my L260's using a cotton bud soaked in Hydrogen Peroxide which was great success- killed the Argulus straight away- also burnt my fingers

While not a cure it helped my L260's by removing parasite burdon.
PP