Platydoras and Malachite Green?

[ifield]

Hi folks, first post to this forum.

I have a recurring Ich problem in my 29g SA Cich|id / Tetra tank. There is one 3" Platydoras costatus in there as well. Over the past several months, I've noticed some flashing and the occasional white spot on most of the fish, but the Ich has never reached levels that seemed dangerous, so I opted to "treat" by paying close attention to water quality and overall stress of the fish.

However, I am sick of it, and want to perform a 2-week course of Malachite Green to remove all of the pathogens (aka little parasitic b*stards).

Will this kill the catfish? If yes, any alternative treatments? Removing him/her during the treatment is not an option, as I don't want to have a carrier fish that might reintroduce later...

Thanks,
Ian

[magnum4]

without knowing the concentration of Malachite Green you are working with it's an impossible question.

If it's standard concentration from an LFS. I would do a harf dose and watch the reaction, a hafe dose is normally more than adequate to kill off ich. however if it is persistant and the catfish did not seem too bothered by the first dose, move to full strengh.

[ifield]

If it's standard concentration from an LFS.

That's a good assumption. Yes.

It seems the question isn't impossible, after all?

I would do a harf dose and watch the reaction, a hafe dose is normally more than adequate to kill off ich. however if it is persistant and the catfish did not seem too bothered by the first dose, move to full strengh.

Thanks, that's a good start. Any other opinions?

Ian

[Katman]

Malachite Green will kill any skin fish or small scaled fish and should only be used in half
doses. Skin fish are fish that have no scales or armor plating, small scaled fish are
like Metynnis.

[ifield]

Well, I have gotten conflicting information on whether Platydoras are also sensitive. I believe Corydoras, for example, are considered "armored." They are also sensitive to Malachite Green.

So, I guess I am looking for specific info on this genus...

Thanks!

[Katman]

If you are not sure go with half doses. I mix my catfish so I use half doses on every thing as a preventive almost every day in the winter months. I mix one teaspoon of
malachite to one gal. of formaldehyde ,the standard dose is one drop per Gal. of water.
For skin fish I use one drop for two Gal.

[ifield]

I really have this fear of producing drug-resistant Ichthyosporidia (sp?). Does anybody have any thoughts on this? My thinking goes something like this: it seems that any line of spores that survive long-term low-dosage treatment would then be resistant to treatment at any level. Given the history of my long-term low-grade infestation, I am concerned that I may never be rid of Ich in this aquarium. That is my goal, as this is a rather hands-off environment.

Wouldn't it be nice to *know* there was no Ich in at least one of your tanks?

As suggested earlier, I may try working from a half to a full dose, say in 1/8 increments. I'll watch the catfish every evening for unusual behavior. Does this seem a sound plan?

Thanks again,
Ian

[Rusty]

If you do want to treat for ich, I would read this thread. The method discussed is often more effective than any medication.

To answer your question: I have exposed catfish to quadruple the recommended dose for short periods of time (dips), with no ill effects. For the normal prolonged treatment, I have Amblydoras that got a 1.5x dose and they are alive and well. Malachite green is much milder than similar stains like Meth blue.

Rusty