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their introduction before they become a real problem.
A typical sign of external parasites (such as flukes) in
corydoradine catfishes is flicking and/or rubbing against
solid objects, similar to the response to Ich (White Spot,
or Ichthyophthiriasis). Inflamed gills and rapid breathing
can also indicate that gill flukes are present. There
are numerous commercial treatments on the market designed
to eradicate these pests, and your aquarium dealer
can advise you. There are also several DIY treatments, including
potassium permanganate, which can be administered
in a hospital or quarantine tank. The recommended
dose is 10 ml/L. The purple color is a little off-putting,
but the treatment is very effective. Biological filters are
badly affected by potassium permanganate, however,
so it is advisable to remove them during treatment. Salt
(sodium chloride, NaCl) also works well against flukes,
but rather than using a low dose over an extended period
in the community tank, as is often recommended (which
means repeated water changes to remove it after treatment),
I much prefer to give the fishes a short-duration
dip in a small hospital tank with a concentrated solution
of 30 g/L. The dip should last for up to 15 minutes, or be
terminated if the fishes appear to be in distress.
Indications that intestinal worms are present vary
depending on the parasite species, and there may be no
signs at all. The usual sign of Camallanus (a genus of
parasitic nematode worms) is red, thread-like worms
protruding from the anus. With other species it may be
demonstrable that a fish has a worm infection only on
dissection. Symptoms indicating the possible presence
of worms are weight loss or abdominal swelling due to
intestinal blockage, and the latter will almost certainly
result in the death of the fish.
There are several commercial worm treatments on the
aquatic market, most of them derived from treatments
used for worms in mammals. Levamisole is a prime
ingredient in pig and sheep wormers; it is very effective
and a main ingredient in many commercial branded
treatments. Camallanus worms can be eliminated using
fenbendazole, levamisole, and praziquantel, available as
branded treatments. Your aquarium dealer or veterinarian
can advise you if necessary.
Because internal parasites are so difficult to detect,
you can never be sure the fish you have just purchased is
not harboring such “passengers.” My advice is always to
treat newly imported fishes, especially wild specimens, as
a preventative measure during the quarantine period.
Don’t panic!
Although all this may sound alarming, corydoradine catfishes
are generally less disease-prone than a lot of aquarium
fishes, and many aquarists never experience any
health problems with them at all. However, prevention is
invariably better than cure, so the sensible fishkeeper will
always try to be aware of what may go wrong so he can
avoid problems or nip them in the proverbial bud.