Description

This is a parasite from the group of dinoflagellates (a kind of algae). This means that copper is best suited for combatting Oodinum effectively. The copper concentration in the water is decisive in the effort to eliminate this parasite. Exactly 0.3 mg/l of copper are needed, which must then be checked using a suitable copper test. Too much copper can also kill fish, whereas too little copper is ineffective and may even lead to resistant pathogens. Oodinium has a life cycle where the pathogen passes through different stages. The Oodinium pathogen can only be combatted in the swarm out stage. We therefore recommend you raise the water temperature by 3°C (do not raise the water temperature over 30°C). This causes the life cycle to be accelerated, which in turn considerably improves the chances of catching the parasite in a vulnerable swarm out phase.

Careful with catfish. Many species of catfish are sensitive to an increase in copper concentration. Do not to use with invertebrates in freshwater and seawater either.

Treatment

For the duration of use, any activated carbon should be removed from the filter. UV-C appliances and CO₂ fertilizing appliances should be switched off. Change 50 % of the water prior to application. Aerate the aquarium using a diaphragm pump with air stone during the treatment. It is advisable to add in the morning and the animals observed during the application.

Dosage: 1st day: 10 ml per 100 l water. 2nd day: Monitoring of the copper content by means of a copper test. With values under 0.05 mg/l copper: additional dosage of 10 ml per 100 ml water. With values between 0.1 and 0.15 mg/l copper: additional dosage of 5 ml per 100 ml water. 3rd day: see day 2. 5th day: see day 2. 10th day: the treatment is completed. Only 75% of the indicated dosage should be used in soft freshwater with carbonate hardness values below 4°dKH.

Because copper in water tends to build up sediments, the active concentration of 0.3 mg/l needs to be monitored daily with a copper test and a dosage subsequently administered, if required. Every dosage of 10 ml increases the copper content of 100 l aquarium water to about 0.3 mg/l.

Caution: Due to the afore-mentioned property of copper, namely the tendency to deposit, we urgently recommend carrying out the required treatments in a quarantine tank if possible. This way, uncontrolled accumulation of copper in the tank where the fish are kept, which may jeopardise the plant life and animal life in the tank in the future, can be avoided effectively.

Due to the fact that some Oodinium pathogens in fresh water also have photosynthesis pigments, darkening the fish tank for 3 – 4 days may contribute to the success of the treatment.

Do not feed the fish during the first three days of the treatment. Feed sparingly afterwards. We recommend a thorough cleaning of the filter or even a replacement of the filter media after the completion of the treatment.

Velvet, Rust - Gold Dust Disease (this is either Oodinium pilularis or Oodinium limneticum)

Description

Symptoms: peppery coating giving a yellow to light brown "dust" on body, clamped fins, respiratory distress (breathing hard as seen as frequent or quick gill movements), cloudiness of eyes, and glancing off decor or substrate, possible weight loss.

Velvet disease in freshwater fish is caused by either Oodinium pilularis or Oodinium limneticum, which are parasitic skin flagellates. This parasite swims in the aquarium until it finds a fish host and adheres to it.

In Oodinium pilularis (as well as with "Ich" Ichthyophthirius multifiliis) it eats into the cells of the epithelial layer of the skin and fins as well as through the mucous membrane in the mouth. The mature parasite then leaves the host and drops to the bottom of the aquarium or plants. It then forms a cyst that divides, forming between 34 - 64 new cells, then bursts freeing the new cells into the aquarium to find a fish host.

Oodinium limneticum is similar, but attacks the fish’s skin and fins rather than burrowing under the epithelial layer, so it is localized right on the surface. It also multiplies on the host rather than at the bottom of the aquarium or on the plants.

Velvet affects different species in different ways. Danios seem to be the most susceptible, but often show no discomfort. This disease is highly contagious and fatal.

Treatment

They can be treated either in the separate or in the main tank. A good treatment is with copper sulphate at 0.2 mg per liter (0.2 ppm) to be repeated once in a few days if necessary. Aquarisol is one medication of this sort that is usually readily available at pet stores. Acriflavine (trypaflavine) may be used instead at 0.2% solution (1 ml per liter). There are things to be aware of with each of these treatments however. Acriflavine can possibly sterilize fish and copper can lead to poisoning, so the water should be gradually changed after a cure has been effected.

Marine Velvet - Velvet Disease (Oodinium ocellatum/ Amyloodinium ocellatum/ Branchiophilus maris), Coral Reef Fish Disease

Description

Symptoms: white, yellow to light brown, or grey "dusty" appearance on body, respiratory distress (fast breathing - gills opening more than 80 times per minute), loss of appetite, rubbing or scratching against decor or substrate.

Marine velvet is one of the most common maladies experienced in the marine aquarium, with the other being Marine Ich. It is found in all the oceans of the world and often infects wild and newly caught marine fish. Velvet disease in saltwater fish is caused by Oodinium ocellatum, (syn: Amyloodinium ocellatum or Branchiophilus maris), which is a parasitic skin flagellate. It is a fast moving disease that can cause mass casualties. Primarily it infects the gills of fish but can attach itself to the body as well, burrowing deep into the skin's subcutaneous layer. Deaths are generally a result of interference to the respiratory system. This disease is highly contagious and fatal.

Treatment

Chemical treatments for this disease include using copper (copper sulphate). Follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer. Generally it involves maintaining copper levels between 0.12 to 0.18 mg/L for 21 days, and using a quarantine tank is best. Natural methods include hyposalinity in a quarantine tank with a low salinity, by lowering salt level to around 1.009 - 1.010 for 10 days. A danger with with using low salinity is in re-acclimating the fish to a higher salinity. You must be able to accurately measure the salinity and must increase it very slowly.