Helping Fish Get Rid of the "Ich"

ARS researcher David Straus has shown that copper sulfate is an effective and less expensive treatment for fish infected by the fungus Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, also known as "Ich," (shown here as white spots on catfish). Click the image for more information about it.

Copper sulfate has emerged as an effective treatment for Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, also known as "Ich," a protozoan parasite that appears as white spots on infected fish, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientist. 

Aquatic toxicologist David Straus with USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) investigated copper sulfate as a method to control both Ich in catfish and a fungus—Saprolegnia—on catfish eggs. Straus works at the ARS Harry K. Dupree Stuttgart National Aquaculture Research Center in Stuttgart, Ark. ARS is the chief intramural scientific research agency of USDA, and this research supports the USDA priority of promoting international food security. 

Ich is considered the most prevalent parasite worldwide in ornamental fish, baitfish and food fish, according to Straus. Ich is less common in U.S. aquaculture because of management techniques, but when it occurs, it can kill all the fish in a pond or raceway. It is calculated that Ich was directly responsible for $1.2 million in losses to the catfish industry in 2003. 

The freshwater fungus Saprolegnia is another major pathogen in fish culture, killing eggs and invading wounds and lesions on juvenile and adult fish. 

Straus found copper sulfate is an effective treatment for Ich on fish and fungus on eggs. According to Straus, copper sulfate is the only practical treatment to control Ich in catfish ponds that average about 10 acres in area. It is easy to use, effective and inexpensive, and is safe for the user to handle. 

Current approved treatments for fungus on eggs, such as formalin and hydrogen peroxide, are much more expensive. Also, both compounds are hazardous, and there are human safety concerns as well as required storage precautions.

Copper sulfate is not currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for therapeutic use in aquaculture, but regulatory action has been deferred pending the outcome of Straus' ongoing research. The chemical is approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as an algicide and molluscicide. Fish farmers use copper sulfate to control cyanobacteria that cause off-flavor in fish, and to control snails that transmit parasitic flatworms to fish.

Tiger Hillstream Loach Sewellia Lineolata

The Tiger Hillstream Loach (Sewellia lineolata) is a curious tropical fish of extraordinary beauty. The unique physical features of the Tiger Hillstream Loach reflect life adapted to fast-flowing streams. The flattened body is a special adaptation that gives the Tiger Hillstream Loach an extremely hydrodynamic shape. This streamlined body shape helps the Tiger Hillstream Loach navigate (or stay put) in very strong currents with minimal effort.

Scientific Name: Sewellia lineolata
Common name: Gold Ring Butterfly Sucker, Reticulated Hillstream Loach, Tiger Hillstream Loach
Synonyms: Balitora lineolata, Sewellia lineolata
Distribution: Vietnam.

Sexual Dimorphism: Females plumper than males. Males have raised areas like small "fences" on first few rays of pectoral fins, and when viewed from above are noticeably "squarer" in the area of the front leading edge of the pectoral fins.

Maximum size: 2.5 inches

Similar to: Sewellia pterolineata

Tiger Hillstream Loach Care : Inhabit fast flowing streams over boulders. Aquarium must duplicate these conditions as fish have very high oxygen requirements. All need excellent water-flow and aeration, numerous rocky hiding places and smooth pebbles and boulders to graze over. Lighting should be bright to encourage algae growth in the aquarium. Plants are not necessary as the fish do not normally encounter them in the wild, but they will help with water-quality. Suitable plants for high-flow environments are Anubias and Microsoreum. These will grow on rock-work or driftwood.

Feeding : Note these algae eaters fish have smaller mouths than Gastromyzon species which should be a consideration with foodstuffs. Good quality flake, sinking pellets, algae wafers, thawed frozen Bloodworm, Mysis Shrimp, blanched Spinach, Kale, natural algae an advantage.

Water parameters: pH:6.5 - 7.5. Hardness: Medium

Temperature: 68ºF to 75ºF (20-23.8°C)
Breeding: In 2006 these fish were bred in aquaria for the first time although the full details of their courtship and breeding methods have yet to be witnessed.
 

It is critical to maintain high water quality and aeration plus strong water movement to ensure the health of the Tiger Hillstream Loach. The Tiger Hillstream Loach should not be housed in a tropical aquarium setup with water temperatures consistently above 75 degrees Fahrenheit. A recommended minimum tank of 30 gallons should be provided to house the Tiger Hillstream Loach.

Supplement the diet of the Tiger Hillstream Loach with foods that sink to the bottom of the aquarium such as a high-quality flake food, sinking carnivore pellets, sinking algae wafers, freeze-dried bloodworms, and tubifex worms.

Justifiably regarded by most Tiger Hillstream Loach enthusiasts as the most beautiful of all algae eaters species, Sewellia lineolata remains an ambition for many.

This species does not travel well and often shipments may perish in transit. The species very high oxygen requirements means that shippers are learning to pack less fish per bag. This raises the overall freight costs per fish and hence increases the price at the retail level.

If the hobbyist can afford to purchase these fish, they must protect their investment by providing the best quality environment possible. Given these conditions, fish that have survived import will usually settle down and acclimatize well to aquarium life. Also, unlike many other Sucker-bodied Tiger Hillstream Loaches, they seem far more at ease when searching for food on the loose surface of sand or fine gravel, and will flutter their fins, disturbing the surface grains.

 

Ornamental Fishes Under Genetic Upgrading

Many widely sought Indian species of ornamental fishes are going under a genetic upgrading and may end up patented by foreign countries.

This could hit the Indian ornamental fishes industry, mostly centralised in south, in the nascent stage quite badly. The fish export from India is two per cent of 4.5 billion dollar of global business and major revenue comes from the fishes the foreign scientists are vying for patent.

Dr UC Goswami, President, Section of Animals, Veterinary and Fishery Sciences of Indian Science Congress Association said the industry was closing in to lose a good source of revenue if the government fails to formulate a clear policy on ornamental fish export.

"We need to protect and promote the breeding of ornamental fishes, which are real aquatic treasure of the country," said Dr Goswami who was in the city related to research work.

India with its tropical climate fused with varied sources of fresh water and nearly 9,000 km long coastline suits best for small fish cultivation. Tamil Nadu and Kerala have promoted the fish cultivation at micro level roping in foreign agencies such as fisheries resource and management society.

Other states getting into the act have come out with policies giving fillip to the business considering the wide demand for Indian species Singapore and few other south-asian countries are the biggest buyers of Indian ornamental fishes.

But Germans making inroads into the industry genetically engineered Indian species into hybrids ones. They changed their colour pigments using genomics. "They took the valuable fish from us and looking for their patent," said Dr Goswami. 

One of prettiest of fishes with maximum global demand Colisa was the first to under go genetic changes in German labs. The fish is commonly found in the ponds is being exported as Gaurami, which is one costliest ornamental fishes. 

"If the practice is allowed the Indian species will lose identity and become property of the foreigners," he said, adding, "the foreign countries are cashing on the absence of any definite policy on fish keeping and exports". There are several species such as catfish, dwarf, giant Colisa and barbs-the highly popular Indian fishes are being de-Indianised.

Dr Goswami who has extensive work upon the ornamental fish said that different types pigments were formed upon the fish according to the food they took and the quality of water and the adequacy of sunlight they enjoyed.

He said there were vegetarian and non-vegetarian fish but both of them get colours through the vitamin rich diet they consume in water. The best live fish food for the non vegetarian fish was Chironomous and Tibifex larva while the vegetarian fishes extracted vitamins from variety of under water plants.

New Polychaete Derived AquaThrive Food is Fish Approved

AquaThrive is a new dry aquarium feed unlike any other. Using a patented process, the pellets are made from fresh cultured (Terebellid) Polychaete worms. This is a sustainable alternative to fish meal which dominates the fish food industry. It also may prove more valuable to specialized Polychaete feeders such as some Butterflyfish species… hence I.



AquaThrive is a new dry aquarium feed unlike any other. Using a patented process, the pellets are made from fresh cultured (Terebellid) Polychaete worms. This is a sustainable alternative to fish meal which dominates the fish food industry. It also may prove more valuable to specialized Polychaete feeders such as some Butterflyfish species… hence I had to try them out.

Ingredients:

* Fishmeal
* Polychaetes
* Cereal
* Squid
* Seaweed
* Brewers Yeast
* Mussel
* Fish Oil
* Lecithin
* Spirulina

Besides the inclusion of farmed Polychaetes, what really separates this pellet food is the fat content. It is a staggering 11%! This is more then double the amount found in Hikari Marine-A (5%). This can be a good thing, particularly for juvenile marine fish with fast metabolisms, but must be used wisely. AquaThrive’s protein numbers hit 45% which put them in range with the leaders, while its listed ash and phosphorus properities are a percentage point or two lower than other popular brands.



The overall scent is not as strong as its competitors such as Hikari and Spectrum. However, it is interesting that the AquaThrive food illicits a much stronger coral response than other dry pellets. Even Azooxanthellate corals quickly open when this hits the water.

To test this new food I used it to condition this juvenile Prognathodes marcellae. (Reason being, my other acclimated fish will eat anything and everything!) Three weeks on a diet of Aquathrive and mysis and this fish gained significant bodymass–enough that this 2″ specimen could easily hold its own with larger 5″ Chaetodonts. While not a controlled application, I do believe the fish gained this mass quicker. I currently use Aquathrive weekly to vary the diet of the fishes, but feed it heavier when receiving fish to increase energy stores quickly. In my experience thus far, all fish have readilly accepted AquaThrive, but the 1mm oblong size can be difficult for larger fish. AquaThrive does offer a 1.5mm pellet, but I would not mind seeing larger 2mm and 3mm sizes come to fruition.



For our beloved finned friends, variety is indeed the spice of life. Overall, AquaThrive appears to be a clean, palatable food for ornamental marine fish that adds another food option for aquarists.

Tetra Fish Food

Tetra is popular freshwater fish tank. The fish are brightly colored fish that live in tropical regions. The freshwater fish from the family Characidae. However, a variety of tetra families is available. Tetra includes the Anostomidae. The fish was caught in the lands of South and Central America and is sometimes called Headstanders. If you are looking fish Fish Tank This is not ideal for communal tanks full. If you already have the fish, which lives in a third tank better community.



Anostomus-Anostomus

Thesis loggers known as the Anostomus rays, which come from South America and grow 6 inches in size. The breed has long pointed snouts and as a cylinder-shaped body. The fish has straight lines and circular ends, which are equivalent in size. The body transversely connects with stripes gold and black, the red dots that extend from top to bottom the roots of caudal fins of fish. Colors range lobes leaving neutral fish. Like the Anostomidae breeds, this fish also swims with his head hanging down. However, when the fish darts forward, lift your head immediately. The Anostomus-Anostomus are ideal for residents with larger fish. Anostomus-Anostomus tend to enjoy the lettuce, frozen foods, etc. The fish does not require conditions Specific water. However, the water temperature should be 78 degrees Fahrenheit. This fish requires further study, since the experts it is unclear how the races Fish or sexes.



Punctatus Chilodus Headstand commonly known as Pearl, and the stained Headstand originates from northern South America. The fish grows around 3 ½ inches in size. Chilodus punctatus has a body that extends to the gray and green colors over his body and starts the colors with rows of spots brown. At an angle of 45 degrees horizontal, this fish tends to tilt the head down. Chilodus punctatus is a peaceful creature, which is conveniently stored in tanks community. Chilodus punctatus Feeding habits include all food, however, you must mix the meals with spinach, lettuce or other green foods. Punctatus Chilodus prefer reasonably soft water conditions and lightly acidic water. The water temperature should be around 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The species Women tend to weigh more than the male counterpart does not. Fish breeding similar to the Characins, yet the eggs are brown. The fish are placed around 200 eggs, the fry or offspring are difficult to cultivate.




Lebiasinidae

Lebiasinidae are similar to the Characins family. However, the fish has a line of lower jaw, which does not include teeth. Fish of South America has one of the most beautiful that relatives of habitat in the water tank. The fish has an extended body. Furthermore, the Lebiasinidae is commonly known as the Pencilfishes, who methodically the fish has a classification of relatives as one of the messiest fish in the tank water. This particular species is named in the sample of Gender, the fish is said to change color patterns frequently.



Nannostomus Beckfordi species are commonly known as the golden pen or pencil Beckford. The fish come from British Guiana and the Amazon Basin. Beckfordi Nannostomus grows 1 ¾ in size and has an extended body, which golden-brown tones to navigate through a lid on black background with gold stripes or color patterns nervous red. The fish changes color during night hours. This species is ideal for peaceful community tanks, which its hardy nature prefers reasonably soft waters, and tolerated the water pretty hard. Neutral to acidic water are also acceptable insignificant. The water temperature should be maintained at 80 degrees Fahrenheit.