Fish still scratching after PRAZIPRO

[Justin_Reef]

I have treated my tank with two rounds of prazi to deal with flukes. It's been a week since the second treatment and today I notice two of my fish are scratching again. I read in the past that sometimes the fish scratch for some time after the treatment, but I am wondering how long that may last and when I should consider treating them again?

Fish all all eating well and appear to be breathing normally. They seem much better than before the treatment.

Some of these fish have been medicated with Prazi four rounds now, so I also worry about continuously medicating them and any long term effects it may have?

 

[vetteguy53081]

What is defined as a round ?
Generally treat for 8 days (takes 3 days to actually start working) and then do a water change. Treat another 8 days and assess
How did you determine its fiukes?
Scratching also associated with ich and velvet

 

[Tamberav]

I would just like to point out that prazipro is broken down in tanks by bacteria as well. The more you use it, the more likely this is to occur. So if this is a long running QT tank or display tank, that can play a factor in its effectiveness.

There is also prazi resistant flukes, the alternative treatment is no way reef safe and harsher on fish though.

And I agree with above, are you sure it is flukes?

 

[Justin_Reef]

All fish were QT'd before going into the display, but are way too large to go into a QT again now. Nothing has been added to the tank in 6 months, including coral (which I QT as well). So whatever this is, it's been here for 6 months, but only showed up a month ago. Some fish started to scratch periodically, some began to shake their heads vigorously, and one became lethargic. All fish have continued to eat normally.

I'm not aware of any fish that can live with velvet for 6 months so I think that rules velvet out. As for ich, not likely as there is never a spot on any fish. I have never heard of ich being invisible.

I treated with PRAZI for 7 days, did a water change, then treated again for 2 days. From everything I have read by Humblefish, and other sources, Prazi only remains effective for 3 days but that flukes would spasm and die within 24 hours.

I have a Harlequin Tusk (wrasse) and did not want to risk putting it through Prazi any longer than necessary.

Maybe it's important to note that after the treatment the fish do not scratch at all for a week, they breathe normally and none are lethargic. After a week, now I am seeing two fish scratch a bit, but no others signs of distress.

 

[MnFish1]

All fish were QT'd before going into the display, but are way too large to go into a QT again now. Nothing has been added to the tank in 6 months, including coral (which I QT as well). So whatever this is, it's been here for 6 months, but only showed up a month ago. Some fish started to scratch periodically, some began to shake their heads vigorously, and one became lethargic. All fish have continued to eat normally.

I'm not aware of any fish that can live with velvet for 6 months so I think that rules velvet out. As for ich, not likely as there is never a spot on any fish. I have never heard of ich being invisible.

I treated with PRAZI for 7 days, did a water change, then treated again for 2 days. From everything I have read by Humblefish, and other sources, Prazi only remains effective for 3 days but that flukes would spasm and die within 24 hours.

I have a Harlequin Tusk (wrasse) and did not want to risk putting it through Prazi any longer than necessary.

Maybe it's important to note that after the treatment the fish do not scratch at all for a week, they breathe normally and none are lethargic. After a week, now I am seeing two fish scratch a bit, but no others signs of distress.

I agree with the others - that there is no way to know whether the levels in your tank are 'enough' - which might explain the reason the fish get better only temporarily.

 

[Justin_Reef]

Ok, that makes sense. I read that although Prazi is not all that harsh on fish, it's still not a good idea to keep treating them -- essentially that long term effects are not known.

I don't have the option to remove several very large fish and expect them to make it through treatment in a small QT tank, so anyone have any idea of what I can try next?

Prazi had no apparent effect on my display tank, and to be honest, I don't really care what happens to the corals if it means I can help my fish.

 

[Harrison3504]

Hey Justin did anyone ever get back to you here or did you end up figuring it out? I’m dealing with a very similar issue.

 

[Harrison3504]

Ok, that makes sense. I read that although Prazi is not all that harsh on fish, it's still not a good idea to keep treating them -- essentially that long term effects are not known.

I don't have the option to remove several very large fish and expect them to make it through treatment in a small QT tank, so anyone have any idea of what I can try next?

Prazi had no apparent effect on my display tank, and to be honest, I don't really care what happens to the corals if it means I can help my fish.

Hey Justin did anyone ever get back to you here or did you end up figuring it out? I’m dealing with a very similar issue.