Description

Signs of the infestation: as in nematode infestation, the fish are visibly emaciated. The fish reject food and frequently have white feces. Damage to health only occurs with mass multiplying or in small fish.

Trematodes have a complicated life cycle with one or more changes of host. Snails are normally the first interim host. Therefore, it may be very useful to remove these interim hosts from the aquarium, perhaps by the use of a snail trap.

Please check the diagnosis by microscopic examinations before beginning treatment.

Treatment

Please remove any activated carbon from the filter for the duration of the medication use. UV-C appliances and CO₂ fertilizing appliances also need to be switched off. Please also ensure that skimmers and ozonisers in saltwater are switched off. Change 50 % of the water prior to application of any medication. Aerate the aquarium using a diaphragm pump with airstone during the treatment. Feed the fish sparingly during the treatment.

Treatment can best be done with a 10 to 30 minute bath in 10 mg per liter of potassium permanganate. Or treat the whole tank with 2 mg per liter, but this method is messy and dyes the water.

After treatment

After the treatment, please filter the aquarium water for 24 hours using activated carbon to remove the residues of medication. Afterwards the activated carbon should be duly discarded. The addition of a bacterial starter to the aquarium water helps to replace any purifying bacteria which may have been affected.