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RE: Mystery illness


Hi Folks,

So far I have received some very good ideas. I am increasing the salt level
as we speak.  I am giving my test Rachovii until tomorrow in the Copper
formalin and Acrifalvine, then if they are still alive, I am doing a 100 %
water change, if the one is still breathing too fast I will try the salt
water dip.

Charles, As far as water conditions go. Ammonia and Nitrite were below
readable levels two days age. Although it was hard to read in the green
water. Water change was about a week ago and therefore should still be about
7.2 to 7.5.  My tap water remains reasonably constant and relatively soft.
I doubt I can get a good reading on anything now. The water in with my RAC
is cloudy and just about opaque green.

I was thinking about stress in the Rachovii, but the GUN was the alpha male
almost twice the size of any of the other fish in the tank.  The RAC was
still being his combative self despite his rapid breathing.  About 25 to 30%
of each tank is occupied with java moss and other plant material.

Matt the 30 GUN were in a 15 gal tank. But generally speaking I do pack my
fish in too tightly. I now have five Beira 98's left two of which are
female. I do know better than to keep only two Male RAC in one tank for an
extended amount of time. But at this point I can only dedicate one tank to
the RAC 98's on an ongoing basis. I still have over 30 RAC DKG's (mostly
males) in a ten gallon tank and they are doing fine.  Overcrowding may have
contributed to the spread of the velvet outbreak in the first place, but it
was more than likely caused by the cold air temperature in most of the house
and the fact that it could have come in with a new fish and then gotten
distributed inadvertently. My second GUN tank had velvet bad. It was a 10
gallon with about 100 fish it took me a while to realize what was wrong but
your advise regarding acriflavine solved the problem quickly. All of the
remaining fish are doing fine. I have been taking steps to isolate my tanks.

My wife has begun resisting the constant encroachment of aquaria and other
fish containers throughout the house, the basement, and the office, in terms
of space, time and cost.  In an effort to reduce stress on the fish keeper I
have slowed down my expansion. So until I can get the additional 174 gallons
of empty tanks, I have, set up I am critically short on space.

I am very familiar with velvet in salt water where there are often no
visible symptoms except rapid breathing. I have used fresh water dips to
treat salt water fish. And copper formalin has always worked there when
applied over a three week time period. In salt water I did not have the
complications of plants. These have made me more reluctant to treat with
salt in fresh water.

I really thought that the acrifalvine took out the velvet before the onset
of the rapid breathing with the RAC.  None of the other GUN has gotten sick
yet.  I am also watching the untreated fish very carefully for symptoms.
Does anyone know if he life cycle of fresh water velvet is similar to that
of salt water requiring a prolonged course of treatment as it does in salt
water?

Thanks again, my fish and I appreciate your help.


-RJ-



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