ichthyoid;815341 wrote: FWIW-
I like
quinine sulfate because it is well tolerated by the fish.
Using toxic metals, like copper, takes a toll on the fish (liver in particular). I don't care how it's chelated (made less toxic?), it's still like chemotherapy. I.E.- You need to give enough to kill the parasites, but not so much that you kill the fish.
Quinine is very specific, to the parasite itself. If you profilactically treat ALL fish, while your tank lays fallow for 6+ weeks, then there should be no vector path for infection. I have found this to be the case.
Going forward, you would also treat any new fish, prior to it being added to your system.
I have also found quinine to be compatible with the antibiotics I used, such as Maracyn I & II.
Merely keeping a fish in QT (quarantine) does not guaranty the parasites are no longer present. They are often still there, albeit in low numbers.
There is evidence from research, that fish previously infected, build up some immunity (if they survive
A little trivia-
Quinine compounds are traditional treatments for malaria. Tonic water is made with quinine, and was adopted to combat the malaria parasite in colonial days. It was mixed with gin (and sugar) in drinks, thus receiving a daily dose for a 'constant serum level' in the blood. Hence, the gin & tonic.
:confused2:
