Lice
Lice are a crustacean which attach themselves to the Goldfish. They are greenish in colour and are flat and round. They move around the body of the fish, so you may see red spots/sores in the sites where the Lice has been attached previously. These wounds can leave the fish open to infection.
Treatment
☆ Lice should be removed as soon as they are seen. Gnetly hold the fish and remove the Lice using tweezers.
☆ Raise salinity to 0.1% to prevent secondary infections. (0.1% = 1gram per litre or 1 teaspoon per USG). If the tank is unsalted, petroleum jelly can be used to protect the removal site from infection.
☆ Treat using Diflubenzuron (Dimilin, Waterlife Parazin P). It is a Gyrase inhibitor that is non toxic to fish, but effectively treats Lice.
☆ A daily Methylene blue dip can help. Methylene Blue will destroy nitrifying bacteria so only use as a dip, DO NOT dose directly to your aquarium or you will lose your cycle. Dechlorinator can remove MB, so if you have dechlorinated the water, wait 30+minutes before adding MB. The MB will help to treat damage caused by the Lice. A dip using a dose of 1 teaspoon per 5USG can be performed for 30 minutes daily.
☆ If Diflubenzuron is not available, a Potassium Permanganate dip may be used, at a dosage of 100mg/2.5USG. The tub should be aerated. Dip for 20minutes. This treatment does not treat the eggs, males and larval stages in the tank, so Diflubenzuron should be sought to ensure the tank is being effectively treated. Potassium Permanganate can be finicky and has been known to cause fatalities. I wouldn't advise this treatment route, personally, but it is an option to consider.
☆ Daily water changes should be performed if treating with Potassium Permanganate with thorough gravel vacuums.
☆ Quarantine is one of the best ways of preventing your stock becoming infected with Lice. At least it will contain the issue to your quarantine tank and enable treatment prior to addition. Always quarantine new stock. Always.
☆ Raise salinity to 0.1% to prevent secondary infections. (0.1% = 1gram per litre or 1 teaspoon per USG). If the tank is unsalted, petroleum jelly can be used to protect the removal site from infection.
☆ Treat using Diflubenzuron (Dimilin, Waterlife Parazin P). It is a Gyrase inhibitor that is non toxic to fish, but effectively treats Lice.
☆ A daily Methylene blue dip can help. Methylene Blue will destroy nitrifying bacteria so only use as a dip, DO NOT dose directly to your aquarium or you will lose your cycle. Dechlorinator can remove MB, so if you have dechlorinated the water, wait 30+minutes before adding MB. The MB will help to treat damage caused by the Lice. A dip using a dose of 1 teaspoon per 5USG can be performed for 30 minutes daily.
☆ If Diflubenzuron is not available, a Potassium Permanganate dip may be used, at a dosage of 100mg/2.5USG. The tub should be aerated. Dip for 20minutes. This treatment does not treat the eggs, males and larval stages in the tank, so Diflubenzuron should be sought to ensure the tank is being effectively treated. Potassium Permanganate can be finicky and has been known to cause fatalities. I wouldn't advise this treatment route, personally, but it is an option to consider.
☆ Daily water changes should be performed if treating with Potassium Permanganate with thorough gravel vacuums.
☆ Quarantine is one of the best ways of preventing your stock becoming infected with Lice. At least it will contain the issue to your quarantine tank and enable treatment prior to addition. Always quarantine new stock. Always.