How To Treat Microscopic Ciliated Protozoan Parasites in Pond and Goldfish
This is a common group of parasites and I have my ‘favorite treatments’ but things like live plants and water temperature come into play. I’ll discuss those things.
How to Treat Ciliate Microscopic Parasites in Freshwater Ponds and with Goldfish.
This section itemizes a few considerations and the best medicines to use for these parasites. I really like Formalin and Malachite Green because the impact is transient whereas that much “salt” can be tough to get rid of. All is explained in the following.
Live plants present a significant limitation.
The following recording is a podcast on treating microscopic, ciliated protozoans like Ich, Costia, Chilodonella and Trichodina in freshwater fish facilities WITHOUT aquatic plants.
The following podcast addresses the treatment of microscopic, ciliated protozoans like Ich, Costia, Chilodonella and Trichodina in freshwater fish ponds *WITH* aquatic plants.
Medications that work for microscopic parasites and flukes
Salt 0.3% to 0.6% works pretty well in the absence of aquatic plants (kills plants) for many ciliate protozoan parasites. Run it about 7 -10 days at 78 degrees F. Water softener salt (you HAVE to read the ingredients to see 100% Sodium Chloride C.A.S. 7645-14-5 Which is fine unless you really won't use 40 pounds LOL At that rate look at the 4-5 pound boxes of Morton salt.
Formalin Malachite Ecological Labs does this called BSDT (Broad Spectrum Disease Treatment) which is a hi-test strength and the one-gallon size is only twice as expensive as the 16 ounce size so get the gallon and share with the club LOL. Dose per label instructions once a day x 4 days, skip a day and then dose one more time.
Pro-Form-C ...is a 22% strength Formalin Malachite treatment I've liked for a long time. It's 22% to avoid some 'shipping complications. It works well. It's priced competitively as right you see a 32 ounce bottle for what, $45? The gallon is about twice that.
A third kind of Formalin Malachite Paraguard is a good "formalin" malachite green mixture. I've used it successfully. But it's not "formalin" but in fact another aldehyde that is supposedly "gentler" and this is a 10% solution. So follow label instructions. Dose daily x 4 days skip a day and dose one more time.
If you want to treat Flukes concurrently? PraziPro by Hikari is fine to use along side salt and it's a way to extend the kill spectrum of salt into Flukes. I'd mention that it SHOULD NOT BE NEEDED alongside formalin & malachite as the combination is redundant to control Flukes. Means, one, or the other will handle flukes. Salt will not usually work on Flukes.
