PraziPro & QuICK Cure

PraziPro is a fairly new product available through Hikari. I successfully found the PraziPro semi-locally however, the cost of the little bottle was more than twice the price listed online... even with the shipping added to the online price, it would have been cheaper for me to purchase it online. On the other hand, since this situation felt like it needed immediate attention, I didn't quibble with the store owner. I would recommend to any fish owner, go ahead and purchase a small bottle to keep on hand in the fish medicine cabinet.

After considerable reading on the subject of Flukes and Ich.... I'm hoping for the best. I was able to purchase a bottle of the PraziPro to treat the flukes and some other possible buggers, like tape worm. Although the bottle of PraziPro states not to use the medicine in conjunction with any other meds, I have been reading online that it actually works better when used in conjunction with products like QuIck Cure or Ich-X.

I started using the QuIck Cure 3 days ago. The ich is noticably better on the fish. I've done two full tank water changes during that time. Today, I added the PraziPro as directed for the tank size, waited two hours and then added a dose of QuIck Cure. I will wait three days now to do another QuIck Cure treatment and then two more days to do a follow-up PraziPro treatment. Now, if this doesn't cure what ails this itty bitty guy, I'm not sure what more I can do. S/He is still scratching her/himself on the plants, but it is not as frequent as before. Also, s/he is no longer doing the "shimmy shake" dance that s/he was originally doing when I first brought her/him home. The ich spots on her/his fins have dropped off. Now we'll have to wait to see if those dastardly skin flukes drop off in the next day or so.

Based on what I've read, the PraziPro is supposed to kill the parasites (internally and externally) within a few hours. But I always assume that truly means a day or two.... The fact that the meds did not seem to impact the fish (i.e. s/he didn't start spinning or doing loop-de-loops) is a good sign. I did feed the little gal/guy a big meal this morning. I did not know if food with the meds would be a problem. But apparently didn't matter.

Tomorrow, I'll do a dose of Kordon's Fish Protector. I started using this product (Fish Protector) two months ago with each water change. I also introduce new fish to the quarantine tank with a dose of Fish Protector already added. I won't blatantly say that it is a miracle product, but I do notice the fish that survive the first week seem much healthier in the long run after their quarantine is done. My overall fish survival rate has gone up from about 50% to about 75% since I've started using Fish Protector. I recognize that 75% survival may not be a great ratio (3:4). Truth be told, I have not seen a lot written about the "esteemed fish keepers' " successes vs. failures particularly with the new fish additions. Additionally, since using Fish Protector, I have experienced no "mystery deaths" in my established tanks. Even when I have to do larger than normal water changes! Regardless, I feel that the product has helped me to protect my newest fishes along with the established ones.

That's about it for now. I'll try to remember to post the parasite results within the week.