Dwarf Puffer- IPS

[Purifire]

Grrr!
I'm worried about IPs with my dwarfs too and I want to use the Jungle Fizz Tabs..... But no one here carries em. they can mail order em BUUUUUT is there anything that's readily available at 99% of places that can put the kibbutz on these bastiches for the time being? Think outside the box ppl! thanx

[Stephny691]

Ingredients- 50mg/g Flubendazole.
Naturally sourced Calcium Carbonate.

Those are all it lists. It says to measure out the correct dosage for the aquarium, then to dissolve that amount of powder is a cup of tank water, then to add this slowly to the tank over the course of a few minutes.

Apparently is designed as a one off treatment, but may require another one after 4 days in heavy infestations or if using to cure gill fluke.

Hope this is useful to people.

Say that it is IPS and I've now successfully treated (doubtful considering what some of you of said about soaking food, instead of tipping into the tank). How long will it take for her to show any improvement weight wise? Does anyone know?

Thank you, once more, for all the help.

[bertie 83]

Should look up quickly I would still be ready to soak food if unsuccessful

[Stephny691]

I've got the food soaking as we speak. Not risking it not working. Also soaked it in garlic to really try and encourage her to get some down her neck. (Tron and Clue are their names, Tron being the ill one).

I've been feeding them only 2 or 3 bloodworms at a time, and a few times a day, instead of quite a few once or twice a day. To try and space apart the amount Clue stuffs his face and to make sure she gets at least something before the shrimp make off with it!

[Stephny691]

I think I have the only fish that don't like garlic. Sigh.

Gave some to the corys and they went nuts!

(Not in the same tank btw )

[Black Widow]

Have you tried adding some Epsom Salts to your Water its suppost to help them poo out IPs and bloated feelings

[Stephny691]

Urgh, I'm already probably messing up measuring stuff out for the tank already. However, I've read Epsom salts being used for other fish and for other problems?
Next time I'm in my LFS I might pick some up (if they have any), I'm starting to like the idea of having treatments on hand. Can Epsom salts be used alongside other meds? Such as Melafix, Pimafix and now this Kusuri stuff? Those are the only meds I use, so if it can be used alongside those, then I'll deffo get some.
Thanks for the suggestion.

[Black Widow]

Well yeh its just a special type of Salt that dissolves in your water so it can be used in conjunction with other meds however Melafix and Pimafix are not used to treat IPs!

[CyberBob]

Urgh, I'm already probably messing up measuring stuff out for the tank already. However, I've read Epsom salts being used for other fish and for other problems?
Next time I'm in my LFS I might pick some up (if they have any), I'm starting to like the idea of having treatments on hand. Can Epsom salts be used alongside other meds? Such as Melafix, Pimafix and now this Kusuri stuff? Those are the only meds I use, so if it can be used alongside those, then I'll deffo get some.
Thanks for the suggestion.

Here's some info on the various salts and the benefits in the aquarium.

Aquarium salt is non-Iodized sodium chloride. Also, not a calcium silicate. It's just a purer version of table salt really.
This is found at any aquarium supply store.
It is effective in relieving osmotic stress in fish as well as effective against protozoan and parasitic infestations in a freshwater setup.
Salt, NaCl, does not change the pH of water. It also does not change the hardness.
A few fish do not tolerate aquarium salt. Corydoras Catfish (Most catfish actually) and many live aquatic plants do not do well with salt in their water.
Corydoras and many plants can tolerate 1 Tablespoon of Aquarium Salt per each 5 gallons of aquarium water.
But, they do poorly with 2 Tablespoons of Aquarium Salt per 5 gallons.
Salt lessens the number of pathogens in the water.
For example: very few, perhaps only one or two groups, of freshwater bacteria tolerate aquarium salt well.
My experience is that salt is slightly effective in preventing fish trouble in freshwater aquariums but only slightly.

Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate (bath salts).
This can be found at any drug store. This is the stuff we soak in when we have had a bad day
There are several uses for Epsom Salts in this hobby, mainly to treat constipation and some forms of fungus.
It is also used sometimes in buffering aquariums to raise the KH and PH along with baking soda for alkine based setups.
Epsom salts when treating illness are especially effective in dips or short baths.
It has the same effect on fish as it does people as it helps to relax the fish, loosen the muscles and ease a blockage.
Make sure though that if you use this product you buy a pure version of it free of dye's perfumes and additives.
Alot of bath salts contain extra stuff like that and although is nice when you are soaking in it, isn't so good for a fish.
Also Epsom salt has quite a sedating effect on some fish, so you need to use with caution.
It's best to treat in a hospital tank, monitoring closely for signs of stress etc.

Hope that helps
Before you start messing with your water's chemistry, you need to do a lot of reaearch so you know what you're doing.
A lot of folks on this forum will be more then willing to answer any questions.
Here's a good basic guide to modifying water chemistry:
http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aquarium/chemistry.php

If you're not sure if you should, just ask 1st
G'Luck,
Bob

[Pufferpunk]

library/water-filtration/thesaltoftheearth/

[Stephny691]

I know the mela and pimafix arn't used for ips treatment
I've had to use them a couple of times in my other tank.

I don't have much hope for Tron anymore. She's eating, but barely and just now sitting listlessly on the bottom, sometimes breathing heavily, sometimes breathing really slowly. The colours are still bright, but.....

Tested the water again, still amonia- 0, nitrite- 0, nitrate- 20-30. It's water change time this afternoon, so that will lower further. My housemates think i'm ridiculous being so worried over a tiny fish, they just don't get puffers

[bertie 83]

I care equally for all my fish, it's why I got them. If he has taken some of the mess there is still hope. Keep feeding don't give up, will be good if u save him

[Stephny691]

Just thought I'd update you all.
I lost Tron this morning. I think she had just gotten too weak and she had stopped eating.
I just wanted to say thank you for all of your help and support. I'm very grateful.

[bertie 83]

Sorry to hear that such a shame. And as for the help that's why we are here, we can't always save them but everyone tries their best. Did the others take the meds?

[Stephny691]

Yes, Clue ate the meds and he looks fine atm.

I'm going to leave it a few weeks, to be on the absolute safe side.

This might be a silly question, DPs are fine to be kept on their own arn't they? Or are there benefits to keeping more than 1?

If there's not, I'm just going to let Clue have the 42L to himself. Maybe add a few Oto in another for months when the tank is really mature.

Thanks again.