discus/flukes and paraguard [Archive] - Seachem Support Forums

mousley

02-28-2007, 08:58

I have a planted discus tank and I recently added a new blue diamond. The other discus I believe have come down with flukes or something bacterial. This came on after a bit of overfeeding and a slight PH spike when I changed the water straight from the tap w/ a python.
The fish have a bit of white mucous on their bodies and some fin clamping(mostly one clamped fin w/ one pumping more rapidly), they are also sratching against plants/wood,etc.
I am treating w/ heat, rock salt, some Marycyn and I also have Paraguard. If it's bacterial I'm using an antibiotic but will Paraguard be effective w/ flukes, how should I use it.? Can it be used in conjunction w/ an antibiotic? What is the shelf life for Paraguard, particulary after opening it?
Also, do you have a product well suited to adjusting Ph as water is added directly to the tank as if w/ a python. My area water is higher in PH and likely needs to be adjusted a bit but I like using the python directly.

Tech Support RS

03-02-2007, 16:00

ParaGuard is an excellent broad spectrum medication that can treat both parasitic and most bacterial infections and it has an indefinite shelf life stored at room temperature conditions. If you are not certain about whether your discus is suffering from a parasitic, bacterial or fungal infection, ParaGuard is a good choice of treatment. In your case, it appears that your fish are suffering from a parasitic infection, which ParaGuard can help with.

We do NOT recommend using other medications in conjunction with ParaGuard. In treatment, dose ParaGuard directly to your aquarium; ParaGuard can be used for up to 21 days to avoid any recurring parasitic infections. ParaGuard will also work well as a dip. It is a good idea to keep water conditions stable and optimal to affectively treat.

For pH adjustments in your discus tank, use Discus Buffer or liquid Discus Buffer to lower your pH. Discus Buffer is a stable buffer and will work well to lower pH. For more information on this buffer, go to http://www.seachem.com/products/discus.html.