Gill & Body Flukes
Generally speaking, all Goldfish have Flukes. I have discussed this in the prevention section but left untreated, it causes a whole range of issues.
Flukes (monogenetic trematodes) are a parasite which feed off the slime coat of the fish leaving the fish susceptible to further parasite infestation and infection. Spitting food, clamped or torn fins, lumps and bumps, ulcers bottom sitting, excessive slime coat, irritated gills, red joints and flashing are just some of the symptoms that can be caused by a Fluke infestation.
Flukes (monogenetic trematodes) are a parasite which feed off the slime coat of the fish leaving the fish susceptible to further parasite infestation and infection. Spitting food, clamped or torn fins, lumps and bumps, ulcers bottom sitting, excessive slime coat, irritated gills, red joints and flashing are just some of the symptoms that can be caused by a Fluke infestation.
This image shows Fluke damage on the caudal of Sakura.
Treatment
☆ Treat the whole tank using Praziquantel or Flubendazole (PraziPro or Kusuri Wormer Plus). Salt is optional - i dont personally use it.
☆ To ensure we treat for Flukes as they reach a point in their lifecycle we can treat, each round lasts five days and we’re going to do six rounds.
☆ If your tank and tap pH differ by more than 0.5, stick with 50% changes, if they match, you can perform larger water changes.
☆ Day 1: This is the beginning of round one. Water change, dose Prazi/Flu and add salt to 0.1% (1 gram per litre/1 teaspoon per USG).
☆ Day 5: Water change, replace salt removed but do not add Prazi/Flu. This is the end of round one.
☆ Day 6: This is the beginning of round two. Water change, dose Prazi/Flu and add salt to 0.1%.
☆ Day 10: Water change, replace salt removed but do not add Prazi/Flu. This is the end of round two.
☆ Day 11: This is the beginning of round three. Water change, dose Prazi/Flu and add salt to 0.1%.
☆ Day 15: Water change, replace salt removed but do not add Prazi/Flu. This is the end of round three.
☆ Day 16: This is the beginning of round four. Water change, dose Prazi/Flu and add salt to 0.1%.
☆ Day 20: Water change, replace salt removed but do not add Prazi/Flu. This is the end of round four.
☆ Day 21: This is the beginning of round five. Water change, dose Prazi/Flu and add salt to 0.1%.
☆ Day 25: Water change, replace salt removed but do not add Prazi/Flu. This is the end of round five.
☆ Day 26: This is the beginning of round six. Water change, dose Prazi/Flu and add salt to 0.1%.
☆ Day 30: Water change, replace salt removed but do not add Prazi/Flu. This is the end of round six.
☆ A methylene Blue dip can be incorporated daily to ease issues caused by Fluke damage.
☆ To ensure we treat for Flukes as they reach a point in their lifecycle we can treat, each round lasts five days and we’re going to do six rounds.
☆ If your tank and tap pH differ by more than 0.5, stick with 50% changes, if they match, you can perform larger water changes.
☆ Day 1: This is the beginning of round one. Water change, dose Prazi/Flu and add salt to 0.1% (1 gram per litre/1 teaspoon per USG).
☆ Day 5: Water change, replace salt removed but do not add Prazi/Flu. This is the end of round one.
☆ Day 6: This is the beginning of round two. Water change, dose Prazi/Flu and add salt to 0.1%.
☆ Day 10: Water change, replace salt removed but do not add Prazi/Flu. This is the end of round two.
☆ Day 11: This is the beginning of round three. Water change, dose Prazi/Flu and add salt to 0.1%.
☆ Day 15: Water change, replace salt removed but do not add Prazi/Flu. This is the end of round three.
☆ Day 16: This is the beginning of round four. Water change, dose Prazi/Flu and add salt to 0.1%.
☆ Day 20: Water change, replace salt removed but do not add Prazi/Flu. This is the end of round four.
☆ Day 21: This is the beginning of round five. Water change, dose Prazi/Flu and add salt to 0.1%.
☆ Day 25: Water change, replace salt removed but do not add Prazi/Flu. This is the end of round five.
☆ Day 26: This is the beginning of round six. Water change, dose Prazi/Flu and add salt to 0.1%.
☆ Day 30: Water change, replace salt removed but do not add Prazi/Flu. This is the end of round six.
☆ A methylene Blue dip can be incorporated daily to ease issues caused by Fluke damage.