Parasites, diseases and other nasty goggas

Hi all
Just started up my new 240 liter tank a week ago and popped a couple of fish in to start the cycle. To "boost" the cycle - I put a small 15 liter tank (which had a betta in until a week ago) inside the big tank - with the UG filter still going. A tank inside a tank, if you follow
Of course I didn't quarantine - as they were the first fish to go in. And also (OF COURSE) it seems they have parasites - as they have begun rubbing against surfaces.
Now I would be loathe to put medicine in my brand new tank - and would rather give the fish back and empty the tank and start over again. So I ask 2 questions please:

1. Will parasites/disease live on, if the tank is emptied and allowed to dry?
2. Will I therefore have to give up my "booster tanks" mature media - and start from the very begining?

Thanks guys

 

hi there. What you are seeing is the fish rubbing against objects probably due to Gill fluke parasites. Gill fluke is very difficult to get rid of completely. To the point where I think its almost impossible. You can treat for it, or you can restart as you suggested, yet as soon as you buy fish they will probably have the same problem. When fish are 'stressed', like when they are moved, ailments become more apparant due to stress levels influencing immune systems. Its a toss up to what to do, but I wouldnt restart just for that. As to your other question, most aqua bacteria live in water and need a host to live. So theoretically no they will not survive in a dry tank.

 

thats a bit of a jump to go straight to gill flukes from him just saying that they are rubbing themselves. Have you tested your water because a build up of ammonia can make the fish behave in the same way and you did say u only set the tank up a week ago even with a booster tank. I am not saying that its not gill flukes but to get that answer from him just saying the fish is rubbing itself is a stretch. You need to test your water first and maybe post a few pics of the fish affected.
Thanks
Antony

 

Quite right Reafer, yet 240l with a 'couple' of fish is also gonna take long time to build up ammonia. Unless of course the 'couple of fish' are 4 Oscars. . .

 

I think the problem here is lack of info
what fish are in there?
have you tested the water?
what other symptoms are the fish exhibiting?
was the tank new or used?

 

I started a tank with some red eye tetras (tough fish right?) to speed up the cycle, 2 and a bit years later they are still happy. I reckon give them time to settle and see if the problem persists before you make a decision.

 

Yeah a bit more information would be really helpful, hence I keep my info up to date on my signature now.

 

My innitial thought would also be ammonia build up. However it could be a number of things. Could you give us the water perameters? NO2 and ammonia reading. What fish is in the tank. What type of filter.

 

Could also be the beginnings of white spot... Most likely ammonia though...

 

I highly doubt it would be white spot easy to spot especially when the protozoan that feeds on the fishes slime gets bloated very hard not to miss.

 

the EARLY STAGES of white spot (as slagter said) is not easily visible Larch.

 

Well all our speculation might be wrong because we dont know the exact setup and water conditions.

 

Hi guys
4 baby blue gouramis (2 gold 2 opaline) at about 4cm each
240 liter new tank
Cascade 1000 Canister (and small 15 liter "boost" tank with mature media, UG filter)
Temp 25°C
10% water change every second day
Haven't check nitrates, nitrites & ammonia at LFS yet, because I assumed that such a tiny bio-load in all that water - with 10% WC every 2nd day - there would be no poisoning going on. Maybe I'm wrong?

Aside from finding the cause to the problem, can I ask the original question again:
"Will parasites/disease live on, if the tank is emptied and allowed to dry?”

Cheers
Troy

 

Original question- No, they wont. As they are aquatic they will die. Eggs etc might survive I'm not sure. Can always wash out the tank with strong salt solution. You need to get readings on ammonia, nitrites. Otherwise its still poking in the dark. I agree that your bio-load is load, but with the added UGF and sand something might have happened that caused an ammonia spike. I'm still leaning toward flukes, yet try get those readings then we eliminate the options.