Hey guys,
I normally post on MFK, but since this was a danio question, I thought you guys might be more knowledgeable.
I bought 10 zebra danios about a week ago and put them in my 20gal quarantine tank, filled with a 3:1 mixture of fresh water to display tank water. They seemed fine for the first day or two, then I noticed one of them flashing against the bottom of the quarantine tank.
I immediately tested the water parameters and found that ammonia was present (~0.5ppm). The filter sponge I use in the QT was in the display tank's sump for about two weeks, so I assumed it would have a healthy population of beneficial bacteria. In hindsight, I shouldn't have been feeding as heavily as I was without keeping an eye on ammonia.
I did a 50% water change and have been feeding a lot less. Since then, ammonia and nitrite levels have been at 0.
Unfortunately, they're still flashing. It's usually only one fish at a time, and the fish normally flashes four or five times and then continues on with its normal business. I'm not sure how many fish are flashing, since they all look similar.
I went back to my LFS to get some food for my display tank, and discovered that there is a goldfish tank on the same sump as the danio tank. I asked about the danios and it turns out that they came in the day that I bought them.
I still can't see any symptoms of external parasites, but it's tough to watch these little guys suffering so yesterday I added the recommended dose of Mardel Coppersafe, hoping that it's some sort of external parasite.
It's now 24 hours later and they're still flashing, but otherwise they all seem healthy. They're all eating and are very active.. Ammonia and nitrite are still both 0.
The Coppersafe didn't specify how long to treat for, only that it would remain in the water for a month. Is that the normal length of treatment? Is there something I should be doing differently? I've heard good things about PraziPro, but haven't been able to find it locally.
I normally post on MFK, but since this was a danio question, I thought you guys might be more knowledgeable.
I bought 10 zebra danios about a week ago and put them in my 20gal quarantine tank, filled with a 3:1 mixture of fresh water to display tank water. They seemed fine for the first day or two, then I noticed one of them flashing against the bottom of the quarantine tank.
I immediately tested the water parameters and found that ammonia was present (~0.5ppm). The filter sponge I use in the QT was in the display tank's sump for about two weeks, so I assumed it would have a healthy population of beneficial bacteria. In hindsight, I shouldn't have been feeding as heavily as I was without keeping an eye on ammonia.
I did a 50% water change and have been feeding a lot less. Since then, ammonia and nitrite levels have been at 0.
Unfortunately, they're still flashing. It's usually only one fish at a time, and the fish normally flashes four or five times and then continues on with its normal business. I'm not sure how many fish are flashing, since they all look similar.
I went back to my LFS to get some food for my display tank, and discovered that there is a goldfish tank on the same sump as the danio tank. I asked about the danios and it turns out that they came in the day that I bought them.
I still can't see any symptoms of external parasites, but it's tough to watch these little guys suffering so yesterday I added the recommended dose of Mardel Coppersafe, hoping that it's some sort of external parasite.
It's now 24 hours later and they're still flashing, but otherwise they all seem healthy. They're all eating and are very active.. Ammonia and nitrite are still both 0.
The Coppersafe didn't specify how long to treat for, only that it would remain in the water for a month. Is that the normal length of treatment? Is there something I should be doing differently? I've heard good things about PraziPro, but haven't been able to find it locally.
