sera guide - Healthy aquarium fish

Diagnosis: page 19 Treatment: page 36 The crustacean Ergasilus has pointed clasping hooks that it uses to cling to the gills of the host fish for its entire life. Only the females live as parasites on the fish where they feed on skin cells. The males swim freely in the water. The females de- velop two large egg sacs at the back end. In- fected fish suffer from constant severe short- 6.8 Treating crustacean infections 6.9 Treating multiple infections Diagnosis: page 20 Treatment: page 36 Isopods also belong to the crustaceans. Some species parasitize on fish and suck blood there. The loss of blood and the sting injuries weaken the fish. Parasitic isopods Gill infecting copepod, Photo: Dr. Sandra Lechleiter Parasitic copepod / Ergasilus Diagnosis: page 20 Fish can be infected by several pathogen species at the same time. In such cases, mucous membrane swelling can often be ob- served as an unspecific symptom. There often is also a gray to whitish color change. With a microscope, it is often possible to detect both skin flukes and different proto- zoans such as Ichthyobodo (Costia), Chilodonella, Trichodina and Tetrahymena in a skin swab. Bacteria and fungi can also often be found. The fish often scrub themselves on the ground or on objects in early stages, later on they stand in the water flow of the filter out- let apathetically, swaying and with clamped fins. In advanced stages, mucous membrane shreds come off, and other unspecific symp- toms occur. Depending on which pathogens are involved, the life of single fish or of the en- tire fish stock may be in danger sooner or lat- er. Skin swab showing a multiple infection: Ichthyophthirius, Chilodonella, Trichodina, Costia and Piscinoodinium Multiple infection (a differentiated diagnosis is usually possible only by a specialist) Obtaining a complete and reliable differentiat- ed diagnosis is usually possible only for ex- perts with appropriate equipment. This often means unreasonable effort or is not even lo- gistically possible. The sera product range in- cludes the reliable broad range treatment sera omnipur for such cases in a freshwater aquar- ium. This treatment covers almost the entire pathogen range and prevents secondary in- fections. You can again use sera ectopur as a support also in case of a multiple infection. The cumulative occurrence of several patho- gens at once indicates problematic keeping conditions. Therefore please check the water parameters and other conditions. Immediately carry out necessary changes (e.g. reducing the number of fish, filter maintenance, water change etc.) and support the disease resist- ance of your fish by adding vitamin prepara- tions (sera fishtamin). ness of breath due to the constant gill irritation and the increased formation of mucus. Partially irreparable damages and dangerous bleedings occur at the gills. There are frequent secondary infections. 37